Universal Security Instruments MCND401 User Manual
Models MCN400CN, MCN400LCN,
MCND401CN, MCND401LCN
Models MCN600CN, MCN600LCN,
MCND601CN, MCND601LCN
Certified to CAN/CSA
Std. CSA 6.19-01
Single Station
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Also Suitable as a
Residential Gas Detector
Plug-In Carbon Monoxide & Natural Gas Alarm
with Backup Battery Protection
120 VAC, 60 Hz, 100 mA Maximum
THANK YOU for purchasing this combination alarm. It is designed to detect carbon monoxide and
natural gas (methane) which reaches the sensor. It is not designed to detect fire, heat, flames or any
other gas. 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.
PLEASE READ AND SAVE!
T able of Contents:
Page #
What You Should Know About CO .......................................... 2
What You Should Know About Natural Gas ............................. 2
Basic Safety Information ......................................................... 3
Recommended Location of Alarms .......................................... 4
Avoid These Locations ............................................................ 4
How to Install .......................................................................... 5
Reset Feature ......................................................................... 6
Operation & Alarm Characteristics .......................................... 6
What To Do If The Alarm Sounds ............................................. 7
CO Alarm Silence Feature ....................................................... 7
Testing & Maintenance ............................................................ 8
Battery Replacement .............................................................. 8
CO & Natural Gas Alarm Limitations ....................................... 9
Operational Summary ............................................................ 11
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.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
YOUR COMBINATION CO AND NA TURAL GAS ALARM HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH AN ENDOF-SERVICE LIFE ALARM WHICH WILL SOUND AFTER APPROXIMATELY 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
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.
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INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS
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 ALARM SHOULD BE INSTALLED
• Install an alarm inside each bedroom where the occupant closes the door while sleeping.
• 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.
In general, install combination CO and Gas Alarms:
• WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THE ALARM FROM ALL SLEEPING AREAS.
• In or near bedrooms and living areas or wherever you suspect a 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 3).
Not suitable for installation in hazardous locations as defined in the Canadian 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 two separate alarms. This alarm
is not designed to detect fire 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. The CO and Natural Gas Alarm is not designed to sense
smoke, heat or flames.
NOTE: For your convenience, we provide separate labels for the French-language product markings.
If you choose to utilize those markings, remove the label from the backing and apply it to the alarm.
Carefully align the label in the appropriate space and press firmly to ensure the label permanently
adheres to the alarm.
• Do not paint the alarm. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing chambers and prevent the
alarm from operating properly.
• Do not stand too close to the alarm when it 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.
This alarm should receive continuous electrical power. The battery is meant for emergency
backup only. Choose an outlet where it can't be accidentally unplugged or switched off
by children. Keep small children away from the unit. Teach them not to play with it or
unplug it. Explain what the different alarm sounds mean.
Do not plug this alarm into an outlet controlled by a dimmer or switch or ground fault
circuit interrupter.
The test sequence lasts for approximately 3 seconds after the test button is pressed. The
alarm will then test itself for proper operation. When testing the alarm, have someone else check
that the alarm can be heard easily from the sleeping areas. The alarm should be located where it
can wake you if it alarms at night.
Page 3
RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT:
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 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.
• Curtains or heavy furniture may prevent CO or gas from reaching the sensor.
• 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 0
o
to 120oF (-18o to 49oC).
• In turbulent air, such as near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh air returns or open
windows. Blowing air may prevent CO from reaching the sensors.
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