Troubleshooting; Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning; Conditions That Can Cause Co Levels To Change - Firex COQ3 Manuel Du Propriétaire

Troubleshooting

Problem: The alarm is properly connected to AC power, but the green LEDs
do not light.
Solution: Return alarm to Maple Chase Company for service (see warranty).
Problem: Amber fault light flashes every 30 seconds.
Solution: Press the TEST/RESET button to allow the alarm to recheck itself
internally. If the amber LED continues to flash, the alarm must be
returned to Maple Chase Company for service (see warranty).
Problem: The alarm makes a chirping sound (model COQ6 only).
Solution: The battery needs to be replaced (see "Replacing the Battery").

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning has many symptoms. However, some symptoms are
very similar to the flu, the effects of intoxication, or drug usage. In many CO
cases, people feel ill and stay home to rest. This only compounds the CO poison-
ing because they stay in the home where CO is present.
As CO levels rise, the symptoms become more extreme. At low levels people will
suffer headaches and mild nausea. At higher levels unconsciousness, heart failure,
and even death can occur.
The following symptoms are related to carbon monoxide poisoning and should be
discussed with all members of the household:
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, cardio-respiratory failure, death.
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are
aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable to save them-
selves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Also, young children, the
elderly, and household pets may be the first affected by CO poisoning.
The important factor with any CO poisoning, however, is time. At high levels, CO
can cause death in just minutes. At lower levels, it could take from hours to days of
constant CO exposure to have the same life-threatening effect.
The chart below illustrates the symptoms of CO poisoning by concentration of CO
and its effect over time.
Slight headache within 2-3 hours.
Frontal headache within 1-2 hours.
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0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200

Conditions That Can Cause CO Levels To Change

The following conditions can result in transient CO situations in the home.
1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning appliances caused by out-
door ambient conditions, such as:
a. Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind. Heavy air in the
vent pipes (cold/humid air) with extended periods between run cycles.
b. Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
c. Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances competing for
limited internal air.
d. Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryer, furnaces, or water
heaters.
e. Obstruction in vent pipes or unconventional vent pipe designs which can
amplify the above situations.
Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes.
Insensible within 2 hours.
Headache,dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes.
Death within 2 hours.
Headache,dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes.
Death within 30 minutes.
Headache,dizziness 1-2 minutes.
Death in less than 15 minutes.
D e a t h i n l e s s t h a n 3 m i n u t e s .
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Concentration of co in air (ppm)
7
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