The BS 7860 : 1996
standard recommends that the CO Alarm
should be at least 1.5 metres (5 ft) above floor level. (see fig.3)
and also the detector should be at least 1.85 metres (6 ft) from
the appliance.
Procedure:
1. Select a location complying with the above advice. Ensure
there is a suitable socket nearby (power cord is 2.5m long).
2. Slide the cover off as shown in Figure 4 to expose the mount-
ing screw holes.
3. Cut a notch in the back sidewall (on the centre of either side or
at the bottom, for the power cord) to allow the unit to lie flush
against the ceiling/wall.
4. Mark the two screw locations. Drill suitable holes (6mm drill)
then insert the plastic anchors and screw the unit to the ceil-
ing/wall.
5. Plug the unit into a suitable socket.
Warnings:
(1) Do not use the CO Alarm on an intermittent basis, or as a
portable detector for the spillage of combustion products
from fuel-burning appliances or chimneys.
(2) Do not open (apart from the cover shown in figure 4) or
tamper with the CO Alarm. There are no user serviceable
parts inside. This can damage the unit and may expose the
user to shock or fire hazards.
(1) Regularly check that the green mains power light is on - the
unit cannot detect CO if the mains power is not on (if it is off
check plug, circuit breakers, fuses, wiring etc.).
(2) Test the unit weekly by pressing the test/hush button. Hold
the test button until the horn sounds for over 5 seconds. This
will help to familiarise you and your family with the distinctive
on-off sound of the CO Alarm. This test checks that the elec-
tronics and the horn are working correctly.
(3) If the CO Alarm gives a short beep and the amber fault light
flashes every 45 seconds it means the self-checking circuitry
may have detected a fault. Press and hold the test / hush but-
ton until the horn sounds and it resets the unit. If the beeping
starts again the Alarm is defective.
(4) If the Alarm fails to operate when the test/hush button is
pressed, unplug it for 3 minutes, plug it back in and try again.
(This procedure resets the microprocessor in the unit).
If the CO Alarm fails any of the above tests it must be replaced
immediately (see section 9 “Getting the CO Alarm Serviced”).
The CO Alarm is fully operational and will provide protection
against a build up of carbon monoxide gas 2 minutes after it is
connected to the mains supply.
Testing with Carbon Monoxide
It is recommended that the alarm is tested with actual carbon
monoxide annually. Pressing the test button causes the unit to
check for CO 4 seconds later - this is the
Fast CO Test Mode
.
This eliminates the long waiting normally required e.g. up to 30
minutes at 150ppm CO and up to 6 minutes at 350ppm CO.
The unit can be tested with CO by using one of the kits that co-
mes with CO either in a glass phial or aerosol can. Follow the in-
structions on the kit but be sure to press the test button to speed
up the CO sampling directly after you expose the unit to the CO.
It is best if possible to inject the CO gas into the gas entry holes
next to the sensor (see diagram on front page). When it senses
the CO it will give 3 beeps and the red light will flash as per table
B. It then resets to normal mode. (If the unit fails to respond
press test button again as gas can take some seconds to enter
sensor).
The Fast CO Test Mode normally does not activate the memory
function. (This can be checked by pressing the test button. If the
red light flashes continuously indicating CO was detected, hold
the test button for 20 seconds until the red light stops flashing as
the memory resets).
How to distinguish between CO Alarm and Smoke
Alarm warnings
The CO Alarm has a distinctive on-off sound of 3 pulses, fol-
lowed by a pause as compared with a typical Smoke Alarm
which has a rapid pulsing sound.
In addition, when your CO Alarm is sounding the red alarm light
in the centre of the cover will be flashing.
Testing both your CO Alarm and Smoke Alarms weekly will help
you and your family to clearly distinguish between them in an
emergency.
Clean the outside case by occasionally wiping with a clean
damp cloth (unplug unit first). Do
not
use any cleaning agents,
bleaches, detergents or polishes,
including
those in aerosol
cans. Avoid spraying air freshners, hair spray, paint or other
aerosols near the CO Alarm. Do not place air fresheners near
the unit.
Use the narrow nozzle of a vacuum cleaner to remove fluff and
other contamination from the cover slots to ensure CO gas can
reach the sensor.
Caution: Do not paint the CO Alarm.
Remove the CO Alarm when decorating. Do not allow water or
dust to comtaminate the alarm.
10
8
9
5.
Maintaining Your CO Alarm
1.85m (min)
1.5m
(mi
n)
Figure 3:
BS 7860 : 1996 recommendation
PRESS BOTH
POSITIONS &
SLIDE UP
MOUNTING
HOLES
Figure 4
Testing your CO Alarm
4.
As high as possible
but not closer
than 150mm
300mm
from walls
Ceiling
Mounting
Wall
Mounting
1 to 3 m
Figure 2. HSE recommended locations for rooms with an appliance
Ceiling mounting preferable
1 to 3 m
