Fireboy- Xintex CMD-4M, CMD-4MR, CMD-4M-RLY, CMD-4MR-RLY, CO SENTINEL Installation And Operation Manual

MODEL: CO SENTINEL

CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM FOR MARINE USE

CMD-4M CMD-4M-RLY

CMD-4MR CMD-4MR-RLY

UL 2034 Listed Unit

Installation and Operation Manual

Made in U.S.A.

IMPORTANT: READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY. SAVE FOR FUTURE

REFERENCE. KEEP THIS MANUAL WITH THE CO SENTINEL.

!WARNING!

There are no user or field serviceable parts in this product. The CO Sentinel must be
returned to the manufacturer for any repair or performance checks. Installation shall be
done by qualified personnel authorized to do so by the authorities having jurisdiction for
the particular application in which the product is being used. Electrical wiring shall be in
accordance with applicable codes. Improper wiring may render the unit inoperable,
damage components, or cause a fire, and will void all warranties.

This carbon monoxide alarm is designed to detect carbon monoxide gas from ANY
source of combustion. It is NOT designed to detect smoke, fire or any other gas, unless
the product has been investigated and determined to comply with the applicable
requirements. To function as intended, the CO Sentinel must be connected to a correct
power source, and for maximum effectiveness, be powered at all times. Do not install
outdoors. Not for use in aircraft.

P/N 18236

Rev. 3.0, 08/06

FIREBOY-XINTEX, INC.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 152, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA 49501-0152

Shipping: O-379 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA 49534

Phone [phone] Fax [phone]

Website: www.fireboy-xintex.com

E-mail: [e-mail]

CO SENTINEL Carbon Monoxide Alarm

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Location of Alarms, Indicators, and Test Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – “The Silent Killer” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Where Must We Guard Against Carbon Monoxide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Boat Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The CO Sentinel – How it Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Features of the CO Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Pleasure Boat and Yacht Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Installing the CO Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Wiring Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Operation of the CO Sentinel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Take Action When the CO Sentinel Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Nuisance Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Re-Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

!WARNING!:

This Device shall not be installed or used in aircraft and/or racing vehicles. Fireboy­Xintex reserves the right to change features without notice.

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INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

Location of Alarms, Indicators, and Test Switch

WARNING: Actuation of this device indicates the presence of carbon monoxide (CO)
which can be FATAL. The source of the CO may be an appliance such as a furnace, a
wood burning stove, a vehicle, or other combustion source. EVACUATE THE
PREMISES IMMEDIATELY. DO A HEAD COUNT TO CHECK THAT ALL PERSONS
ARE ACCOUNTED FOR. CALL THE NEAREST FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ASK THEM
TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE. DO NOT REENTER
PREMISES UNTIL IT HAS BEEN AIRED OUT AND THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED!

!CAUTION!: This alarm will only indicate the presence of carbon monoxide gas at the
sensor. Carbon Monoxide gas may be present in other areas.

!WARNING!: This product is not intended for use in ordinary outdoor locations of family
living units. It is not designed to comply with Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) commercial or industrial standards.

Any person with medical problems may consider using warning devices that provide
audible and visual signals for carbon monoxide concentrations less than 30 PPM.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – “The Silent Killer”

A by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide is invisible, tasteless, odorless, and is
produced by all engines, heating and cooking appliances. The most common sources of
CO on boats are gasoline engines, auxiliary generators and propane heating or cooking
devices. All of these produce large amounts of CO and should never be operated while
occupants are sleeping. A slight build-up of carbon monoxide in the human body over
several hours causes headaches, nausea and other symptoms similar to food poisoning,
motion sickness or the flu. High concentrations can be fatal within minutes. The
following symptoms are related to CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING and should be
discussed with ALL passengers:

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CO Sentinel Carbon Monoxide Alarm

a. Mild exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue (often described

as “Flu like symptoms”).

b. Medium exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, and fast

heart rate.

c. Extreme exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio-respiratory failure,

and death.

d. Many cases of reported CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING indicate that while

victims are aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable
to save themselves by either exiting the location or calling for assistance. Also,
young children and pets may be the first affected. SEE TABLE 1.

More detailed information on conditions which can result in transient CO situations, such
as:

a. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning appliances caused by

outdoor ambient conditions, such as:

i. Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind.

Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods
between cycles).

ii. Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust

fans.

iii.Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning appliances

competing for limited internal air.

iv.Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers,

furnaces or water heaters.

v. Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can

amplify the above situations.
b. Extended operation of un-vented fuel burning devices (range, oven, etc.).
c. Temperature inversions that can trap exhaust gases near the ground.

TABLE 1

200 PPM: Slight headache within 2 to 3 hours.
400 PPM: Frontal headache within 1 to 2 hours.
800 PPM: Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes.
Insensible within 2 hours.
1600 PPM: Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes.
Death within 30 minutes.
3200 PPM: Headache, dizziness and nausea in 5 to 10 minutes.
Death within 30 minutes.
6400 PPM: Headache and dizziness in 1 to 2 minutes.
Death in less than 15 minutes.
12800 PPM: Death in less than 3 minutes.

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INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

Drug or alcohol use increases the effect of CO exposure. Individuals with cardiac or
respiratory conditions are very susceptible to the dangers of carbon monoxide. CO
poisoning is especially dangerous during sleep when victims are unaware of any side
effects. The following are symptoms that may signal exposure to CO:

• Headache • Drowsiness

• Tightness of chest or hyperventilation • Fatigue or Weakness

• Flushed face • Inattention or Confusion

• Nausea • Lack of normal coordination

Persons who have been exposed to carbon monoxide should be moved into fresh air
immediately. Persons who have been subjected to high concentrations of CO should be
placed in the care of a physician. To learn more about CO poisoning, contact your local
health authorities.

Where Must We Guard Against Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion. CO exists wherever fuels are burned
to generate power or heat. Boats may utilize propane or compressed gas for cooking
and/or heating. Boats have the added hazard of an auxiliary power generator where
exhaust fumes may drift into the vessel. This hazard may also be created by a
neighboring boat’s exhaust fumes circulating into the cabin. The “station wagon effect”,
is another hazard that is caused by exhaust fumes that are captured via a rear opening
while underway.

Boat Hazards

Boats that are underway should close all aft portholes and open a forward hatch, which
may lend to pressurize the living spaces within the boat. As in RV’s, no sleeping,
particularly in aft cabins, should be permitted while underway. Occupants of the “bridge”
should also maintain proper ventilation by opening a forward window or windshield to
drive “station wagon” effect fumes away from the occupants. Extreme caution must be
taken while at anchor or in a slip while an auxiliary power generator is operating. Wind
still nights can easily allow fumes to enter the boat. Inspect the exhaust systems of
propulsion and auxiliary generators frequently for possible leaks. High concentrations of
CO in your boat may originate from an adjacent boat. Exhaust fumes from nearby boats
may enter your boat through open hatches or windows.

The CO Sentinel – How It Works

The CO Sentinel uses a microprocessor to measure and accumulate CO levels. Using
the principle of “time-weighted averaging” (TWA), the CO Sentinel monitors CO
concentrations, temperature, and time to calculate levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).
COHb is the degree to which the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is impeded by
the union of carbon monoxide to the hemoglobin and is expressed as a percentage. In
layman’s terms, our bodies prefer absorbing CO to oxygen and COHb is the ratio of
absorbed carbon monoxide to oxygen in the bloodstream. The CO Sentinel calculates
this COHb level as a function of time and determines the appropriate alarm time. SEE
TABLE 2.

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