Electronics EI262 User Manual

RadioLINK

MAINS POWERED

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

WITH RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM CELL BACK-UP

The RadioLINK Carbon Monoxide Alarm Ei262 will communicate with all other RadioLINK devices including Smoke/Heat/Fire Alarms, Relays and other accessories.

Model Ei262

Read and retain carefully for as long as the product is being used. Contains vital information on the operation and installation. This leaflet should be regarded as part of the product.

If you are just installing the unit, this leaflet must be given to the householder. This leaflet is to be given to any subsequent user.

CONTENTS

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

What to do when you alarm is activated

CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER

ALARM POSITIONING

INSTALLATION

4.1 Mounting & Wiring Alarms

4.2 RadioLINK Interconnecting etc.

USING & TESTING YOUR SYSTEM

HOW TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN CO ALARM & SMOKE ALARM WARNINGS

MAINTENANCE

LIMITATIONS OF CO ALARMS

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY

GETTING YOUR CO ALARM SERVICED

FIVE YEAR GUARANTEE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ACCESSORIES

TROUBLESHOOTING

Page

3 4

13 13 17

1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WARNING: The Alarm should be permanently wired to the mains by a qualified electrician in

accordance with IEE wiring regulations (BS7671).

Install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm in every room that contains a fuel burning appliance, and in

rooms where people spend a lot of time e.g. bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms.

In rooms with an fuel burning appliance, install (preferably) on the ceiling (300mm from walls and

between 1m to 3m horizontally from appliance). In rooms remote from the appliance install at breathing level, where the light indicators can be seen.

Regularly check that the green power light is on, so that rechargeable back-up cells will remain fully

charged. Important: The CO Alarm will not work if the mains supply is off and the rechargeable cells are depleted.

Test the unit weekly by pressing and holding the Test/Hush button. The horn will sound and the radio

frequency (RF) signal will be transmitted. (Green light turns red while RF message is transmitted).

Replace sensor module after 5 years operation (see page 25).

When the CO Alarm detects abnormal levels of CO (above 50ppm CO) the red light starts to flash,

the horn will sound within 90 minutes and the RadioLINK signal will be transmitted. At higher levels of CO the alarm will turn on sooner (see Table B - page 7).

The CO Alarm will automatically reset once the CO has cleared. Pressing the Test/Hush button will

silence the CO Alarm immediately (below 300ppm CO). If CO is still present the red light and horn will turn on again after about 4 minutes.

The CO Alarm is no substitute for keeping chimneys and flues clear and in good condition, and all of

your appliances serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not fit alarm until all building work is completed to avoid contamination.

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM IS ACTIVATED:

(1) Open the doors and windows to ventilate the area.

(2) Turn off all fuel appliances where possible. (The alarm can be silenced immediately, with

low levels of CO, by pushing the Test/Hush button).

(3) Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows open.

(4) Get medical help immediately for anyone suffering the effects of Carbon Monoxide

poisoning (headache, nausea), and advise that Carbon Monoxide poisoning is suspected.

(5) Ring your gas or other fuel supplier on their emergency number. Keep the number in a

prominent place.

(6) Do not re-enter the property until the alarm has stopped. (If the alarm has been silenced

by pressing the Test/Hush button, wait at least 5 minutes. The alarm will then check that the CO has cleared).

(7) Do not use the fuel appliances again until they have been checked by an expert. In the

case of gas appliances this must be a Registered Gas Installer.

Note: If the Ei262 Carbon Monoxide Alarm is interconnected to Smoke/Heat Alarms, quickly

press the Locate Button (on Remote Switches Ei411H3 or Ei1529) to silence all alarms except the one sensing danger and/or find the alarm with the red light flashing rapidly. If it is a carbon monoxide leak follow the above instructions. If it is a fire, evacuate the premises closing all doors as you go, ring the fire brigade and follow the other smoke/heat alarm emergency instructions.

2. CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLERS

2.1 WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE ?

Congratulations on becoming the owner of an Ei Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This will help protect you and your household from the dangerous effects of Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer. Many are killed each year, and many more suffer ill health from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning (CO is the chemical symbol, indicating the molecule has one carbon atom and one oxygen atom). CO is an invisible, odourless, tasteless and extremely toxic gas. It is produced by appliances and vehicles burning fuels, such as coal, oil, natural/bottled gas, paraffin, wood, petrol, diesel, charcoal etc. CO is absorbed by red blood cells in the lungs in preference to oxygen - this results in rapid damage to the heart and brain from oxygen starvation.

High levels of CO in a house can be caused by:

• Incorrectly or poorly installed fuel-burning appliances.

• Blocked or cracked chimneys/flues.

• Blocked vents or draught-proofing which makes areas with fuel burning appliances or fireplaces airtight.

• Engines of cars, lawnmowers etc. left running in confined spaces.

• Portable paraffin or gas heaters in badly ventilated rooms.

• Charcoal barbecues burning indoors.

2.2 SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Most people know that high levels of CO are harmful, however the period of exposure is also important.

A low level for a long period (e.g. 150 ppm for 90 minutes) can cause the same symptoms (a slight headache) as a high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30 minutes). Table A shows how exposure to different concentrations of CO generally affects people.

Many cases of reported Carbon Monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disorientated they are unable to save themselves by either leaving the building or calling for assistance. Young children and household pets may be the first affected.

Table A: Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Concentration

of CO in Air

ppm

35 The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8 hour period according to OSHA *.

150 Slight headache after 1.5 hours.

200 Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.

400 Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours, also maximum parts per million in flue gas (on an air free basis) according to US Environmental Protection Agency.

800 Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.

1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.

3,200 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.

6,400 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.

12,800 Death within 1-3 minutes.

ppm = parts per million

*OSHA = Occupational Safety & Health Association

Inhalation Time (approx) and Symptoms Developed

2.3 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR CO ALARM DETECTS CARBON MONOXIDE ?

Table B below shows how the CO Alarm reacts to different levels of CO gas and exposure time. At higher

When the Ei262 CO Alarm detects potentally dangerous levels of CO, it flashes the red alarm light and then sounds a loud alarm if the CO persists and transmits a RadioLINK alarm signal.

levels of CO the alarm turns on sooner. The rate of flashing of the red light indicates the level of CO.

Table B: CO Alarm Response

CO Level

(ppm)

50 100 300

unless it has been in alarm (see 2.4 CO Alarm Memory overleaf)

Red

Alarm Light

Off *

1 Flash / 2 Seconds

2 Flashes / Second

4 Flashes / Second

Horn sounds

within

Off 60 to 90 minutes 10 to 40 minutes

3 minutes

If your CO Alarm sounds follow the instructions on page 4.

When ventilation is provided by leaving windows and doors open, the CO build up may have dissipated by the time help arrives and the alarm may have stopped sounding. Although your problem may appear temporarily solved, it is crucial that the source of the CO is determined and appropriate repairs made.

NEVER IGNORE THE ALARM.

When the Test button is pressed the horn will sound, and the alarm red light will only flash if the unit has

Pre-Alarm: When the alarm detects over 50ppm CO the red light flashes every 2 seconds. This helps locate CO leaks as the unit gives a visable indication straight away (the horn will not sound unless the 50ppm of CO remains for at least 90 mins). Note the Pre-Alarm signal may be triggered by CO coming for example, from cooking with gas, from car engines or from nearby barbecues. This is usually not a concern unless the Pre-Alarm signal persists until the alarm sounds and the CO source is unknown.

Note: The CO Alarm may pre-alarm if cigarette smoke is blown into it, or aerosols are released nearby.

2.4 CO ALARM MEMORY

previously detected CO and been in alarm. The flash rate indicates the level of CO detected as below:-

- Alarm Red light is Off – No CO detected since reset or power up.

- Alarm Red light flashes 2 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds - 50 ppm CO detected for

approximately 90 minutes since reset or power-up.

- Alarm Red light flashes 4 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds - 100 ppm CO detected for

approximately 40 minutes since reset or power-up.

- Alarm Red light flashes 8 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds - 300 ppm CO detected for

approximately 3 minutes.

Reset Memory by holding down the Test button for over 20 seconds until the alarm red light stops flashing. Cover the horn with a cloth to muffle the alarm during this time. (Note any other RadioLINK device will also alarm during this period).

Please note that the memory will also be reset when the unit is removed from the mounting plate.

3. ALARM POSITIONING

3.1 IDEALLY A CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARM SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN:

- Every room containing a fuel burning appliance

- Remote rooms where occupants spend a considerable amount of time

- Every bedroom

However if the number of CO Alarms is limited, the following points should be considered when deciding where best to fit the alarm(s)

- If there is an appliance in a room where people sleep, place a CO Alarm in this room

- Locate a CO Alarm in a room containing a flueless or open-flued appliance

- Locate a CO Alarm in a room where the occupant(s) spend most of their time (e.g. living room)

- In a bedsit, the CO Alarm should be placed as far away from the cooking appliance as possible, but near to where the occupant sleeps

- If the appliance is in a room not normally used (such as a boiler room) the CO Alarm should be placed just outside the room so that the alarm will be heard more easily

3.2 UNSUITABLE LOCATIONS

Do not place the CO Alarm in any of the following areas

- In a position, where access to the screwdriver slot to release the CO alarm from its mounting plate,

is blocked by an object such as a wall, a fixed item of furniture or skirting board, as this would make removal or replacement of the CO alarm impossible without damaging it. See Figure 4 for screwdriver slot location on the CO alarm.

- In the immediate vicinity of a cooking appliance

- Outside the building

- In an enclosed space (e.g. in or below a cupboard)

- In a damp or humid area

- Directly above a sink or cooker

- Next to a door, window, air vent or anywhere that it would be affected by draughts

- Next to an extractor fan

- Do not locate over heat sources such as radiators or hot air vents

- Where it would be obstructed, e.g. by curtains or furniture

- In an area where the temperature could drop below –10°C or rise above 40°C

- Where dirt or dust could block the sensor

- Where it could be easily knocked or damaged, or where it could be accidentally turned off or removed

- In a bathroom or other areas where the CO Alarm may be exposed to water splashes, dripping or

condensation (e.g. above an electric kettle)

- Near paint, thinners, solvent fumes or air fresheners

3.3 IF LOCATING THE CO ALARM IN A ROOM WITH A FUEL BURNING APPLIANCE (see Figure 1)

- If it is mounted on a wall, it should be located at a height greater than the height of any door or window but still be at least 150mm from the ceiling

- If it is mounted on the ceiling it should be at least 300mm from any wall or light fitting

- The CO alarm should be a horizontal distance of between 1m and 3m from the potential CO source

- If there is a partition in the room, the CO Alarm should be located on the same side of the partition as the potential source

- In rooms with sloped ceilings, the CO Alarm should be located at the high side of the room (see Figure 3)

3.4 IF LOCATING THE CO ALARM IN A BEDROOM OR IN ROOMS REMOTE FROM A FUEL

300mm

BURNING APPLIANCE (see Figure 3)

- Mount the CO alarm relatively close to the breathing zone of the occupants

Whatever position is chosen make sure it is possible to view the three light indicators, when in the vicinity of the alarm.

CO Alarm

150mm

1 to 3 m

DEAD AIR

DON'T LOCATE

HERE

1 to 3 m

Figure 1. Location in room with a fuel burning appliance

- 1 to 3m from appliance

- Ceiling 300mm (min) from walls - Wall 150mm vertically down from ceiling

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