- the alarm should be located at a level similar to the breathing
zone of the occupant (typically in the living rooms at 1.5 to 2.0m
above floor level and in bedrooms at the height of the bed).
The
BS 7860 : 1996
standard recommends that the CO Alarm
should be at least 1.5 metres (5 ft) above floor level. (see fig.3A)
and also the detector should be at least 1.85 metres (6 ft) from
the appliance.
Warnings:
(1) The CO alarm should be installed by a qualified electrican in
accordance with the IEE wiring regulations (BS 7671). Fail-
ure to install this alarm correctly may expose the user to
shock or fire hazards.
(2) 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.
Precaution:
Do not install the actual alarm itself in new or reno-
vated buildings until all work is completed, including painting,
and the building has been fully cleaned. Wiring can be installed
when appropriate. (Excessive fumes from paints, solvents,
cleaning agents etc. may damage the sensor).
Procedure:
1. Select a location complying with the above advice.
2. Disconnect the AC mains supply from the circuit to be used.
3. Slide off the cover as shown in figure 1. Press gently in the
centre to release the catches before sliding upwards.
4. Remove the terminal cover screw and expose the connecting
terminals.
5. (a) If the wires are coming directly out from the ceiling/wall lo-
cate the wire entry slot over the wire and mark the two screw lo-
cations. Screw the unit to the ceiling/wall (ensure screws do not
penetrate buried wires. The unit can also be screwed on to a
standard recessed junction box if required. Seal the wire exit
holes to prevent air draughts preventing the carbon monoxide
from reaching the sensor.
(b) If surface wiring is being used bring the wiring in from either
of the vertical sides or the bottom as shown in figure 4. Note sur-
face wiring cannot be brought in from the top as it would be in the
way of the cover sliding off and also might allow water to pene-
trate. Screw the unit to the wall.
6. The Brown wire (terminal 3) must be connected to the house wir-
ing coloured red or brown or to a house terminal marked “L”.
The Blue wire (terminal 4) must be connected to the house wiring
coloured black or blue or to a house terminal marked “N”.
The alarm does not need to be earthed, however for convenience a
spare terminal (no. 5) is provided to hold an earth wire if present.
(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 circuit breakers, fuses, wiring etc.).
(2) Test the unit weekly by pressing the test/hush button. Hold
the test button for 5 seconds 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 electronics 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, disconnect the mains supply at the distribution fuse
board for 3 minutes, re-connect the mains 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 after it is connected
to the mains supply for 2 minutes.
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 figure 1). When it senses the CO it will
give 3 beeps and the red light will flash as per table B. It then re-
sets to normal mode. (If the unit fails to respond press test but-
ton 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).
10
8
4.
Testing your CO Alarm
Locations for
Surface Wiring
Not Suitable
Figure 4
Conduit
1.85m (min)
1.5m
(mi
n)
Figure 3A:
BS 7860 : 1996 recommendation
As high as possible
but not closer
than 150mm
300mm
from walls
Ceiling
Mounting
Wall
Mounting
1 to 3 m
HSE recommended locations for rooms with an appliance
Ceiling mounting preferable
1 to 3 m
3
4
5
LIVE
BROW
N
NEUTRAL
BLUE
EAR
TH
(IF
P
RESENT)
9
Figure 5
Figure 3
