Gentek CO1209 User Manual
CO1209 SERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CARBON
MONOXIDE (CO) ALARM
ELECTROCHEMICAL TYPE SINGLE/MULTIPLE STATION
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM, AC POWERED, WITH BATTERY BACK-UP
& TANDEM WIRE CONNECTION
Installation Instructions - Owner's/User’s Information Manual -READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE
INTRODUCTION CO1209 SERIES
The CO1209 electrochemical carbon monoxide (CO) alarm is for
use as an evacuation device in all dwelling units. The device has a
solid state piezo signal to warn and alert the occupants to the
presence of carbon monoxide.
Your CO alarm is designed to detect abnormal amounts of
carbon monoxide gas, only. Consequently, it is uncommon for
household sources of combustion, including properly functioning
household appliances, to produce sufficient levels of CO to cause an
alarm.
BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION
Dangers, Warnings, Cautions and notices alert you to important
operating procedures or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay
special attention to these items.
WARNING!
This CO alarm is listed for use in single-family and multi-family
residences, along with hotel, motels and other dwelling units.
This CO alarm will only indicate the presence of increased levels
of carbon monoxide gas at the sensor. Increased levels of carbon
monoxide gas may be present in other areas.
This CO alarm must receive continuous 120VAC, 60Hz , pure
sine wave electrical power. (battery is meant for emergency
back-up only). In order for the emergency battery back-up to work,
a new battery must be properly installed (see BATTERY
INSTALLATION section).
NEVER ignore your CO alarm if it sounds. Refer to IF YOUR CO
ALARM SOUNDS section for more information. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
Test this device once a week. If the device ever fails to test
correctly, replace immediately! If the device is not working
properly, it can not alert you to a problem.
This product is intended for use in indoor locations of family
dwelling units. It is not designed to measure CO levels in
compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) commercial or industrial standards. Individuals with
medical conditions that may make them more sensitive to carbon
monoxide may consider using warning devices which provide
audible and visual signals for carbon monoxide concentrations
under 30 ppm. For additional information on carbon monoxide and
your medical condition, contact your physician.
MODELS
(SEE BACK OF CO ALARM FOR EXACT MODEL)
CO1209..........................120VAC, 60Hz
CO1209F........................120VAC, 60Hz with Form A/Form C auxilary
relay contact
NOTICE: In the event AC Power fails, a 9VDC battery will provide
proper alarm operation for a minimum of 24 hours.
HOW THE CO ALARM WORKS
GENERAL INFORMATION
NOTICE: CO problems can occur at any time.
When fully powered, the device samples the air and takes a new
reading about every 30 seconds. A microchip inside the unit stores
each reading and remembers the levels of CO it has been exposed
to over time. The CO alarm will sound when it has been exposed to
a critical level of CO (measured in parts per million or ppm) within a
specified time (measured in minutes). This CO alarm features a
permanently installed sensor, an indicator light and an 85dBA,
temporal 4 alarm horn. It also has a reset feature to temporarily
quiet the alarm horn. If critical levels of CO remain, the alarm will
re-activate and sound.
NOTICE: MALFUNCTION WARNING This unit performs a self-
diagnostic test. If the alarm malfunctions it should be replaced
immediately. See IF THE CO ALARM IS NOT OPERATING
PROPERLY for more information.
HOW TO TELL IF THE CO ALARM IS WORKING
PROPERLY
Your device is provided with an alarm horn and flashing red Light
Emitting Diode (LED) indicator, which flashes every 15-30
seconds, and a green AC power on LED and red LED for CO.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR FAMILY SAFE
FROM CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)
a. Install CO alarms properly following the instructions in
this manual. Keep your units clean. Test your CO alarm
weekly and replace when it no longer functions.
As with any electronic product, CO alarms have a limited life,
it is recommended that CO alarms be replaced every five (5)
years. CO alarms that don't work cannot protect you.
b. Develop a family escape plan and practice it with your
entire family, especially small children.
Draw and post a floor plan of your home and find ways to
exit from each room.
Teach children what the CO alarm signal means, and that
they must be prepared to leave the residence by themselves
if necessary.
Decide on a meeting place a safe distance from your house and
make sure that all your children understand that they should go
and wait for you if there is a CO alarm.
Hold CO drills at least every 6 months to make sure that
everyone, even small children, know what to do to escape
safely.
Know where to go to call the fire department from outside your
residence.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A CO EMERGENCY IN
YOUR HOME
If you have prepared family escape plans and practiced them with
your family, you have increased their chances of escaping safely.
Review the following rules with your children when you have CO
drills so everyone will remember them in a real CO emergency. If
alarm should sound:
a. Don't panic; stay calm. Your safe escape may depend on thinking
clearly and remembering what you have practiced.
b. Open windows or doors. Opening windows or doors can
significantly reduce CO levels.
c. Get out of the house following a planned escape route as quickly
as possible. Do not stop to collect anything or to get dressed.
d. Meet at your prearranged meeting place after leaving the house.
e. Call the Fire Department as soon as possible from outside your
house. Give the address and your name.
f. Never re-enter the building while the device is in alarm.
Contact your local Fire Department for more information on
making your home safer from CO and about preparing your family's
escape plans.
NOTE: Current studies have shown CO alarms may
not awaken all sleeping individuals, and that it is
the responsibility of individuals in the household
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Pg. C-1
that are capable of assisting others to provide
assistance to those who may not be awakened by
the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable
of safely evacuating the area unassisted.
WHAT THIS CO ALARM CAN DO
This CO alarm is designed to sense carbon monoxide gas
entering its sensing element. It does not sense smoke, heat or
flames.
When properly located, installed, and maintained, this CO alarm
is designed to provide early warning of potential increased levels of
carbon monoxide gas at a reasonable cost. This device monitors
the air and when it senses CO, activates its built-in alarm horn. It
can provide precious time for you and your family to escape from
your residence before a CO poisoning occurs. Such an early
warning, however, is possible only if the CO alarm is located,
installed, and maintained as specified in this User's Manual.
This CO alarm is designed for use within single residential living
units only; that is, it should be used inside a single-family home or
one apartment of a multi-family building. In a multi-family building,
the device may not provide early warning for residents if it is placed
outside of the residential units, such as on outside porches, in
corridors, lobbies, basements, or in other apartments. In multi-family
buildings, each residential unit should have CO alarms to alert the
residents of that unit. Devices designed to be interconnected should
be interconnected within one family residence only; otherwise,
nuisance alarms will occur when a CO alarm in another living unit is
tested.
NOTICE: GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF CO ALARMS
This CO alarm is intended for all dwelling units. It is not intended
for use in industrial applications where Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for carbon monoxide
detectors must be met.
CO alarms will not work without power. A battery must be
connected to the CO alarm to maintain proper device operation if AC
power supply is cut off by an electrical fire, an open fuse or
circuit breaker, or for any other reason. In the event of AC power
failure, the battery will supply power for a minimum of 24 hours.
CO alarms may not awaken all individuals. If children and
others do not readily awaken to the sound of the CO alarm or if there
are infants or family members with mobility limitations, make sure
that someone is assigned to assist them in the event of an
emergency.
CO alarms for solar or wind energy users and battery
back-up power systems: AC powered CO alarms should only be
operated with true or pure sine wave inverters. Operating this CO
alarm with most battery powered UPS (uninterruptible power supply)
products or square wave or “quasi sine wave” inverters will damage
the alarm. If you are not sure about your inverter or UPS type,
please consult with the manufacturer to verify.
This CO alarm will not sense carbon monoxide that does not
reach the sensor. This CO alarm will only sense CO at the sensor.
CO may be present in other areas. Doors or other obstructions may
affect the rate at which CO reaches the alarm. For this reason, if
sleeping room doors are usually closed at night, we recommend you
install an alarm in each sleeping room and in the hallway of each
sleeping area.
CO alarms may not sense CO on another level of the
residence. For example, an alarm on the second floor, near the
bedrooms may not sense CO in the basement. For complete
coverage, it is recommended that an alarm be installed on each level
and tandem interconnected.
CO alarms may not be heard. The alarm decibel rating meets
or exceeds current UL Standards of 85dBA at 10 feet (3 meters).
However if the device is installed outside the sleeping area, it may
not awaken a sound sleeper, one who has recently used drugs or
has been drinking alcoholic beverages. This is especially true if the
door is closed or only partially open. Even persons who are awake
may not hear the sounding alarm if the sound is blocked by distance
or closed doors. Noise from traffic, stereo, radio, television, air
conditioner, or other appliances may also prevent alert persons from
hearing the alarm horn. This device is not intended for people who
are hearing impaired.
CO alarms are not a substitute for life insurance. Though
these CO alarms warn against increasing CO levels, Gentex
Corporation does not warrant or imply in any way that they will
protect lives from CO poisoning. Homeowners and renters must still
insure their lives.
CO alarms have a limited life. Although the CO alarm and all of
its components have passed many stringent tests and are designed
to be as reliable as possible, any of these parts could fail at any
time. Therefore, you must test your CO alarm weekly.
CO alarms are not foolproof. Like all other electrical devices,
CO alarms have limitations. They can only detect CO that reaches
their sensors. They may not give early warning to rising CO levels if
the CO is coming from a remote part of the home, away from the
alarm. CO alarms may not alarm when a large influx of CO is
introduced into the house. An example of a possible source of a
large in-rush of CO is a generator running in an attached, enclosed
garage and the door to the connected residence is opened.
NOTICE: The horn in your CO alarm meets or exceeds current
audibility requirements of Underwriters Laboratories. However, if the
CO alarm is located outside a bedroom, it may not wake up a
sound sleeper, especially if the bedroom door is closed or only
partly open. If the CO alarm is located on a different level of the
residence than the bedroom, it is even less likely to awaken people
sleeping in the bedroom. In such cases, the National Fire Protection
Association recommends that the CO alarms be interconnected so
that a unit on any level of the residence will sound an alarm loud
enough to awaken sleepers in closed bedrooms. This can be done
by employing a systematic approach by interconnecting CO alarms
together, or by using radio frequency transmitters and receivers.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO? Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless,
tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely or
are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances typically do
not produce CO.
These fuels include: wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
kerosene and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not
properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO
levels can rise quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are
more energy efficient. “Air-tight” homes with added insulation,
sealed windows and other weatherproofing can ‘trap’ CO inside.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING: These symptoms are related to
CO POISONING and should be discussed with ALL household
members.
EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
Mild
Medium
Extreme
others, including people with cardiac, respiratory or other
health problems, infants, young children, pregnant women and
elderly people can be more quickly and severely affected by
CO. People sensitive to CO should consult their doctors for
advice on taking additional precautions.
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often
makes it difficult to locate the source of CO after an alarm. A few
factors that can make it difficult to locate sources of CO include:
House well ventilated before the investigator arrives.
Problem caused by “backdrafting”.
Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it
may be difficult to locate the source of CO. Gentex Corporation
shall not be obligated to pay for any carbon monoxide (CO)
investigation or service call.
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY?
A CO alarm is an excellent way of protection. It monitors the air
and sounds a loud alarm before carbon monoxide (CO) levels
become threatening for average, healthy adults.
NOTICE: A CO alarm is not a substitute for proper maintenance
of home appliances.
Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue
(flu-like symptoms)
Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion,
rapid heart rate
Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung
failure. Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO)
can cause brain damage and death
Some individuals are more sensitive to CO than
550-0498
Pg. C-2
To help prevent CO problems and reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
Clean chimneys and flues yearly. Keep them free of debris,
leaves, and nests for proper air flow. Also, have a professional
check for rust and corrosion, cracks or separations. These
conditions can prevent proper air movement and cause
backdrafting. Never cap or cover a chimney in any way that
would block air flow.
Test and maintain all fuel-burning equipment annually. Many local
gas or oil companies and HVAC companies offer appliance
inspections for a nominal fee.
Make regular visual inspections of all fuel-burning appliances.
Check appliances for excessive rust and scaling. Also check the
flame on the burner and pilot lights. The flame should be blue. A
yellow flame means fuel is not being burned completely and CO
may be present. Keep the blower door on the furnace closed.
Use vents or fans when they are available on all fuel-burning
appliances. Make sure appliances are vented to the outside. Do
not grill or barbecue indoors, in garages or on screen porches.
Check for exhaust backflow from CO sources. Check the draft
hood on an operating furnace for a backdraft. Look for cracks on
furnace heat exchangers.
Check the house or garage on the other side of shared wall.
Keep windows and doors open slightly. If you suspect that CO is
escaping into your home, open a window or door. Opening
windows or doors can significantly reduce CO levels.
POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN RESIDENTIAL
DWELLINGS
Fuel-burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood
burning fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer,
portable generators.
Damaged or insufficient venting: corroded or disconnected
water heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or flue, or cracked heat
exchanger, blocked or clogged chimney opening.
Improper use of appliance/device: operating a barbecue grill,
portable generator or vehicle in an enclosed area (like a garage or
screened porch), or even your home.
Figure 1
These conditions can come and go, they are also hard to recreate
during a CO investigation.
PLACEMENT OF CO ALARMS
THIS EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION'S
STANDARD 720 (National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269).
For your information, the National Fire Protection Association's
Standard 720, reads as follows:
NFPA 720, 2009 Edition, Chapter 9, Section 9.4.1.1 Where required
by applicable laws, codes or standards for a specific type of
occupancy, approved single and multiple-station CO alarms shall be
installed as follows:
1) Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
2) On every occupiable level of a dwelling unit, including basements,
excluding attics and crawl spaces.
3) Other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or
standards.
The installation of additional CO alarms should result in a higher
degree of protection. Adding alarms to rooms that are normally
closed off from the required alarms increases the escape time
because the CO levels do not need to build to the higher level
necessary to force CO out of the closed room to the required alarms.
As a consequence, it is recommended that the householder consider
the installation of additional CO protection devices. However, it
should be understood that NFPA 720 does not require additional CO
alarms over and above those called for in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5
where required CO alarms are shown.
Figure 2
Figure 1: POTENTIAL SOURCES OF CO IN HOME.
Transient CO Problems: transient or on-again-off-again CO
problems can be caused by outdoor conditions and other special
circumstances.
The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:
1) Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by
outdoor conditions such as:
Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds. Heavy
air in vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between
cycles).
Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust
fans.
Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited
fresh air.
Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces
or water heaters.
Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can
amplify the above situations.
2) Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range,
oven, fireplace)
3) Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the
ground.
4) Car idling in an open or closed garage or near a home.
5) Portable generator used in an open or closed garage or near a
home.
Figure 2: A CO ALARM MUST BE LOCATED ON EVERY LEVEL OF
DWELLING UNIT, INCLUDING BASEMENT AND OUTSIDE SLEEPING AREAS.
Where to Locate the Required CO Alarms. The major threat from
CO in a dwelling unit occurs at night when everyone is asleep.
Persons in sleeping areas can be threatened by CO levels in the
remainder of the unit; therefore, CO alarms are best located between
the bedroom areas and the rest of the unit as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
Figure 3: A CO ALARM MUST BE LOCATED BETWEEN THE
SLEEPING AREA AND THE REST OF THE DWELLING UNIT.
In dwelling units with more than one bedroom area or with
bedrooms on more than one floor, more than one CO alarm is
required, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4
Figure 4: IN DWELLING UNITS WITH MORE THAN ONE
SLEEPING AREA, A CO ALARM MUST BE PROVIDED TO
PROTECT EACH SLEEPING AREA.
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Pg. C-3
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