Universal Security Instruments MCN108 Instruction Sheet

MODEL MCN108, MCN108L
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM AND
NATURAL GAS ALARM
WITH SILENCE FEATURE

120VAC 60 Hz 100 mA Max.

MODEL MCN105, MCN105L
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM AND
NATURAL GAS ALARM
WITH SILENCE FEATURE

120VAC 60 Hz 100 mA Max.

PLEASE READ AND SAVE!

THANK YOU for purchasing this combination alarm. This manual includes important information
regarding where to install the alarm, how to operate, maintenance, testing and product features. It
also includes tips and information which could help protect you and your family.

Table of Contents:

Page #

What You Should Know About CO ........................................................ 2

What You Should Know About Natural Gas ......................................... 2

Recommended Location of Alarms ..................................................... 2

Basic Safety Information ...................................................................... 3

Where Alarm Should Not Be Installed ................................................. 4

Installation Instructions ........................................................................ 5

Electrical Shock Hazard ....................................................................... 5

Locking / Tamper Feature .................................................................... 5

Wiring Instructions ........................................................................... 5, 6

Operation, Testing & Maintenance ....................................................... 7

®

QUICK FIND

Alarm Originating Feature & Reset ............................... 8

What To Do If The Alarm Sounds ......................................................... 8

CO Alarm Silence Feature .................................................................... 9

Testing & Maintenance ................................................................... 9, 10

Battery Backup Replacement ............................................................. 10

CO & Natural Gas Alarm Limitations ..................................................11

Operational Summary .................................................................. 12, 13

Warranty ................................................................................ Back Cover

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CO

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an insidious poison. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is a
cumulative poison. Even low levels of CO have been shown to cause brain and other vital organ
damage in unborn infants with no effect on the mother.

The following symptoms are related to CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING and should be discussed

ALL members of the household:

with

MILD EXPOSURE

Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as "flu-like" symptoms).

MEDIUM EXPOSURE

Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.

EXTREME EXPOSURE

Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, death.

Many cases of reported CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING indicate that victims are aware they
are not well, but they become so disoriented that they are unable to save themselves by either
exiting the building or calling for assistance. Young children and household pets may be the first
affected.

Your combination alarm is designed to detect the toxic CO fumes that result from incomplete
combustion, such as those emitted from appliances, furnaces, fireplaces and auto exhaust.

What Levels of CO Cause an Alarm?

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL2034 defines three specific alarm points by which all residential
CO alarms must alarm. They are measured in parts per million (ppm) of CO over time (in minutes).

UL2034 Required Alarm Points:

• If the alarm is exposed to 400 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN 4 and 15 MINUTES.

• If the alarm is exposed to 150 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN 10 and 50 MINUTES.

• If the alarm is exposed to 70 ppm of CO, IT MUST ALARM BETWEEN 60 and 240 MINUTES.

This product is intended for use in ordinary indoor locations of family living units. It is not designed
to measure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) commercial or
industrial standards. Individuals with medical problems may consider using warning devices which
provide audible and visual warnings for carbon monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm.

IMPORT ANT CONSIDERATIONS

YOUR COMBINATION CO AND NATURAL GAS ALARM HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH A
PRODUCT END-OF-SERVICE LIFE SIGNAL WHICH WILL SOUND AFTER APPROXIMA TEL Y 7
YEARS OF OPERATION FROM INITIAL POWER UP.

NOTE: MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THIS ALARM 7 YEARS AFTER
DA TE OF INSTALLATION.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT NATURAL GAS

Natural gas is a fossil fuel which consists primarily of methane. This common energy source is often
used for cooking, home heating and water heating. Natural gas is typically supplied through a main
utility line connected to your home. It is a highly flammable chemical compound. Although it happens
rarely, a natural gas leak can sometimes occur inside the home. This can be dangerous because it
increases the risk of explosion and fire.

Natural gas is odorless and colorless. When Mercaptan is added to natural gas as an odorant, it can
then be detected by smell. Although it can vary greatly, the typical level for detection of the gas by
smell is 25% of the lower explosion limit (LEL). People who have a diminished sense of smell may
not be able to rely on this safety mechanism. Therefore, installation of this alarm can be an important
tool to help protect you and your family. This alarm is calibrated to sound before 20% LEL Therefore,

it is possible that you may smell gas before the alarm is activated. If you are not sure which
gas your home uses, contact your utility company .

Natural gas (methane) is typically supplied through a main utility line connected to your home.

Early warning is best achieved by the installation of alarms on all floors and areas of the household.

WHERE THIS CO AND NATURAL GAS ALARM SHOULD BE INSTALLED

• Install an alarm inside each bedroom where the occupant closes the door while sleeping.

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• An alarm should be installed in any family living unit containing a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace

or having an attached garage.

• An alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate

vicinity of the bedrooms. Where bedrooms are separated and audibility of the alarm to occupants
within the bedroom area could be seriously impaired, more than one alarm could be needed.

• Locate the first combination alarm in the immediate area of the bedrooms. Try to protect the
escape route as the bedrooms are usually farthest from an exit. If more than one sleeping area
exists, locate additional combination alarms in each sleeping area. If a hall is more than 40 feet
(12 meters) long, install a combination alarm at each end.

• Locate at least one combination CO and Gas alarm on every floor level.

In general, install combination CO and Gas Alarms:

• WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THE ALARM FROM AL L SLEEPING AREAS.

• In or near bedrooms and living areas or wherever you suspect a natural gas or CO exposure is

likely.

• On each level of a multilevel home.

IMPORTANT!

Installation in an improper location can affect the sensitive electronic components in this alarm.
Please review WHERE THIS ALARM SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED (see Page 4).

Not suitable for installation in hazardous locations as defined in the National Electrical Code. This
alarm will detect natural gas primarily and carbon monoxide secondarily. Natural gas events will
always take precedence over carbon monoxide events. The word "gas" will be used to specifically
refer to natural gas.

When on AC power, this alarm is designed to act as a continuous monitor. It is not designed for use
as a short-term testing device to perform a quick check for the presence of CO or gas.

BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION

• This combination Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas alarm has separate alarms. This alarm is

not designed to detect smoke, heat or any other gas. Carbon monoxide and natural gas may be
present in other areas. The CO and Natural Gas Alarm will only indicate the presence of CO or
natural gas which reaches the sensor.

• Do not paint the alarm. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing chambers and prevent the

unit from operating properly.

• Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It is loud to wake you in an

emergency. Exposure to the horn at close range may harm your hearing.

Make sure the alarm is not receiving excessively noisy power. Examples of noisy power
could be major appliances on the same circuit, power from a generator or solar power, light
dimmer on the same circuit or mounted near fluorescent lighting. Excessively noisy power
may cause damage to your alarm.

This alarm cannot be operated from power derived from a square wave, modified square wave or
modified sine wave inverter. These types of inverters are sometimes used to supply power in off-grid
installations, such as solar or wind derived power sources. These power sources may produce high
peak voltages which will damage the alarm.

Do not install this alarm into an electrical circuit controlled by a dimmer or switch or ground
fault circuit interrupter.

RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT:

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NOTE: For any location, make sure no door or other obstruction could prevent the carbon monoxide
or gas from reaching the alarm.

WHERE THIS ALARM SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED

To avoid causing damage to the unit, to provide optimum protection, and to prevent
unnecessary alarms. Do NOT locate this alarm:

• In garages, kitchens, crawl spaces and unfinished attics. Avoid extremely dusty, dirty or greasy

areas. Installation in these areas could lead to nuisance alarms, may expose the sensor to
substances which could damage or contaminate it, or the alarm may not be heard by people in
other areas of the home, especially if they are sleeping.

• In the garage, vehicle exhaust can contain some carbon monoxide. These levels are higher

when the engine is first started. Within hours of starting a vehicle and backing it out of the garage,
the levels present over time can activate the alarm and become a nuisance.

• In the kitchen, some gas appliances can emit a short burst of CO or gas upon startup. This is

normal. If your CO and Natural Gas Alarm is installed too close to these appliances, it may alarm
often and become a nuisance.

• Keep alarms at least 20 feet (6m) from the sources or combustion particles (stove, furnace,

water heater, space heater), if possible. In areas where a 20 foot (6m) distance is not possible (in
modular, mobile or smaller homes for example), it is recommended the alarm be placed as far
from these fuel-burning sources as possible. The placement recommendations are intended to
keep these alarms at a reasonable distance from a fuel-burning source and reduce "unwanted"
alarms. Unwanted alarms can occur if an alarm is placed directly next to a fuel-burning source.
Ventilate these areas as much as possible. If you must install the alarm near a cooking or

heating appliance, install at least 5 feet (1.5m) from appliance.

• Less than 12 inches (306mm) away from fluorescent lights. Electrical noise can interfere with the

sensor.

• In extremely humid areas. This alarm should be at least 10 feet (3m) from a bath or shower,

sauna, humidifier, vaporizer, dishwasher, laundry room, utility room or other source of high humidity.

• In very cold or very hot environments or in unheated buildings or outdoor rooms where the

temperature can go below or above the operating range of the alarm. Temperature limits for
proper operation are 40

o

to 100oF (4.4o to 37.8oC).

• In turbulent air, such as near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh air returns or open

windows. Blowing air may prevent CO or natural gas from reaching the sensors.

• Good ventilation is recommended when household cleaning supplies or similar contaminants

are used.

• Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning appliances caused by outdoor ambient

conditions, such as:

 Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/

humid air with extended periods between cycles).

 Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
 Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances competing for limited internal 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.

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THIS ALARM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT 120 VAC POWER AND A GOOD
BATTERY PROPERLY INSTALLED. THE ALARM SHOULD BE TESTED WHEN
INSTALLED AND THEN TESTED WEEKLY AFTER THAT .

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: CAUTION!! READ CAREFULLY.

Installation of this alarm must conform to the electrical codes in your area; Article 760 of the
National Electrical Code, NFPA 72, 101; SBC (SBCCI); UBC (ICBO); NBC (BOCA): OTFDC
(CABO), and any other local or building codes that may apply. Wiring and installation must
be performed by a licensed electrician. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in injury
or property damage.

This alarm must be powered by a 24-hour, 120V AC 60Hz circuit. Be sure the circuit cannot be
turned off by a switch, dimmer or ground fault circuit interrupter. Failure to connect this
alarm to a 24-hour circuit may prevent it from providing constant protection.

IMPORTANT : Do not subject this alarm to megger , high voltage or high-pot tests. Remove the
alarm(s) before high-potting tests occur on the circuit or system. (Ref. Section 550-17, National
Electrical Code, 2002 Edition).

Turn off power to the area where you will install this alarm at the circuit breaker or fuse box
before beginning installation. Failure to turn off the power before installation may result in
serious electrical shock, injury or death.

CAUTION: THIS CO AND NATURAL GAS ALARM IS SEALED. THE COVER IS
NOT REMOVABLE!

• A mounting bracket is provided on the back of the alarm.

• Remove the mounting bracket from the back of the alarm by holding the mounting bracket and

twisting the alarm in the direction indicated by the "TWIST TO REMOVE" arrow on the side of the
alarm base.

OPTIONAL TAMPER RESISTANT FEATURES: There are two separate tamper resistant locking
features provided for this model. Activating one or both of these features deters someone from
removing the alarm from the mounting bracket or removing the battery from the alarm. The breakaway
locking pins are clearly marked and molded into the mounting bracket. Refer to the diagram on the
next page.

TO ACTIVATE THE LOCKING FEATURES: Do not activate the locking features until you have
activated the battery, mounted the alarm to the bracket and tested the alarm. Refer to OPERATION,
TESTING & MAINTENANCE instructions on Page 6.

ELECTRICAL SHOCK HAZARD

1. Detach the breakaway alarm locking pin from the mounting bracket.

BATTERY LOCKING PIN

2. Insert the pin into the hole for the feature you are activating. Refer to the diagram below for

correct placement.

INSERT ALARM

LOCKING PIN HERE

ALARM/BRACKET

LOCKING PIN

INSERT BATTERY

LOCKING PIN HERE

TO DEACTIVATE THE LOCKING FEATURES: To remove the alarm for cleaning or servicing or to
replace the battery, you must first remove the appropriate locking pin, if it has been installed.

1. Turn off AC power to the circuit.

2. Use long nose pliers to pull the locking pin out of the hole.

3. It is now possible to remove the alarm or replace the battery.

WIRING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. a. The appropriate power supply is 120 Volt single phase power supplied from a non-switchable

circuit NOT protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.

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