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Energy Conservation and Indoor Air Quality
Two steps that homeowners take to conserve energy may adversely affect indoor air quality. SINCE air leakage can account for as much as 40% of heat loss, houses are being made more air tight. Reduced air leakage will contribute to higher concentrations of air contaminants from indoor sources and can cause draft reversal in the furnace or fireplace chimney when the demand for air by fireplaces, furnaces and exhaust fans exceeds the air supplied by leakage area and supply ducts.

Converting from oil to gas, without taking steps to prevent chimney deterioration, will increase the risk of chimney blockage, draft failure and the associated release of combustion products into the house. Qualified contractors and inspection by the gas company are recommended

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Facts About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas. Due to its high toxicity, CO is called the “silent killer”. Hundreds of thousands of North Americans require medical care each year because of CO poisoning. 

The human body depends on oxygen to convert food to usable energy that allows cells to live and function. Oxygen makes up approximately 21% of the atmosphere, and enters the lungs during breathing. In the lungs it combines with a blood component called hemoglobin. 

When saturated with oxygen, it is called oxyhemoglobin.  

After being carried by the bloodstream to the cells of the body, oxyhemoglobin releases oxygen to the body tissues. Carbon Monoxide is dangerous because it bonds much more tightly to the hemoglobin than oxygen does. Once hemoglobin combines with Carbon Monoxide to form carboxyhemoglobin, its ability to combine with oxygen is completely lost. 

As carboxyhemoglobin is formed, the amount of oxygen carried to the cells and organs in the body decreases. Carbon Monoxide starves the blood of oxygen, literally causing the body to suffocate from the inside out. When the carboxyhemoglobin concentration reaches a certain level, people get nauseous, become unconscious, and ultimately die. How quickly symptoms appear depends upon the concentration, or parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide in the air and the duration of exposure. A person’s size, age and general health are also factors in how quickly effects of the gas will become evident. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends only alarms that meet Underwriters Laboratory Standard 2034. Alarms that have the UL/ULC mark on the product meets the rigorous standards of performance, safety and accuracy. 

The current versions of UL2034 and CGA6019 (CSA6019) have harmonized sensitivity limits as defined below: 

• no alarm and no display reading below 30 ppm

• will go into alarm in 60 to 240 minutes at exposures of 70 ppm 

• will go into alarm in 10 to 50 minutes at exposures of 150 ppm 

• will go into alarm in 4 to 15 minutes at exposures of 400 ppm
  

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The Long Lasting Effects of CO Poisoning
If left unchecked, a child’s exposure to Carbon Monoxide can lead to neurological disorders, memory loss, personality changes and mild to severe forms of brain damage. 

If a child complains or shows signs of headaches, dizziness, fatigue or nausea or diarrhea, he or she could have Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Be especially aware of symptoms that disappear when the child is out of the house and reappear upon return, or symptoms that affect the entire household at once. 

Since the symptoms closely mimic viral conditions such as the flu, without the fever, Carbon Monoxide poisoning is often treated improperly, if at all. 

A physician can perform a simple blood test (called a carboxyhemoglobin test) to determine the level of Carbon Monoxide in the bloodstream. If elevated levels of Carbon Monoxide are present, hyperbaric (high-pressure) oxygen treatment may be used to rid the body of CO. A physician will make this determination and administer treatment if necessary. 

Children with Carbon Monoxide poisoning have mistakenly been treated for indigestion.

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How Carbon Monoxide is Generated in the Home

Carbon Monoxide is generated through incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, and charcoal, gasoline or wood. 

Dirt and Blockage
Never insulate or try to seal up a draft hood, wind cap or exhaust vent on any gas appliance (furnace, hot water heater, range, dryer or space heater). Keep your equipment area clean. Do not store anything that could restrict air circulation close to equipment.

It is absolutely essential to your safety that panels and grills on the furnace are kept in place and that the fan compartment door is closed when the furnace is operating.

If you have a gas water heater, make sure that combustion air openings at the bottom of the tank and the opening below the draft diverter (on top of the tank next to the flue duct) remain unblocked.

If you have a gas dryer, the exhaust duct must be vented to the outside and have a hood at the end. Check that the exhaust system is not blocked by lint or debris and that the flapper in the hood moves freely.

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Using Other Equipment That Consumes or Exhausts Household Air
If you use exhaust fans, a fireplace or other fuel-burning heaters or stoves:

Run exhaust fans for just a minute or two at a time. Prolonged use could remove too much air, and it wastes heat.

Do not run power attic vents during the winter or when your furnace is on.

When your fireplace, coal or wood stove is operating, open a window and close off warm air registers in the room or install a fresh air duct directly to the fireplace or stove so that it will not steal air from your furnace.

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Confining or Enclosing Gas-Fired Equipment
If you have partitioned off your furnace and water heater, you may need additional ventilation

DANGER SIGNS!!
Stuffy, stale or smelly air, back drafts and soot from a fireplace or furnace chimney usually means your home needs more air for proper combustion and healthy living. For gas-fired equipment, mostly yellow (rather than clear blue) burner flames, a pilot light that keeps going out, or a smell of gas indicates trouble. Turn off the equipment and contact your gas company emergency service.

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Choosing The Right Carbon Monoxide Detector
The following considerations should be noted when choosing a CO alarm that will be sure to meet the homeowner's needs. 

1.  Consumers should consider ease of installation, the location of installation and the power source of an alarm when choosing a plug-in, battery powered or hardwire model. 

Plug-in units (CO800, CO900, CO910, CO920) are designed to directly plug into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet for simple installation.  This location provides easy access for both testing and resetting the detector.  In addition, the location provides both a visual and audible difference from a ceiling mounted smoke alarm, which may help to eliminate confusion during an emergency alarm condition.  A plug-in unit also requires no additional costs associated with annual battery replacement.

 Battery powered units (CO1100) can be easily mounted to a wall or ceiling if the consumer wishes to keep electrical outlets free, if they wish to keep the unit relatively out of sight, or if they would like to keep the alarm away from the reach of children.  Some battery-powered units are portable alarms that work anywhere--no installation required.  These units may be mounted to a wall, left on a tabletop or carried while traveling.  Battery powered units require battery replacement every year, similar to smoke alarms.  These units will have a low battery-warning signal to indicate when the batteries need replacing.

Hardwire units (CO810, COS2010) are powered by wiring the unit directly into a household’s AC power supply at a junction box.  A licensed electrician according to the local electrical code should install them.  The unit can be permanently installed to prevent tampering. 

2.  Consumers should choose a CO alarm with the features (e.g. low level warning, battery back up, digital display, etc.) that meet their needs.

Battery Back-up (CO920)- some AC powered CO alarm models have a back-up power source that allows the unit to function in the event of a main line power failure.  During a power outage, people are likely to use alternate sources of power, light and heat (e.g. kerosene heaters, gas-powered portable generators and fireplaces) which may be out of tune and may produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. 

Digital Display (CO910, CO920)- some CO alarms have a digital display that shows the levels of carbon monoxide in the air in parts per million.  For some people, this added feature provides at-a-glance peace of mind.

What does the Digital LED Display Mean? 
FOR MODEL CO910 ONLY: This model features a Digital LED Display (light Emitting Diode) that will show the level of carbon monoxide present when there are concentrations of 50 parts per million (ppm) or greater.

Normal reading indicating safe environment.

  3.  Consumers should choose an alarm that has been accuracy tested.

This stringent method of testing and quality control helps ensure that every American Sensors™ carbon monoxide alarm will provide years of reliable, accurate protection for your family and home.

4.  Consumers should compare alarm warranties and note hidden operating costs. Consumers should select an alarm that offers a comprehensive warranty.  The alarm’s warranty should include its sensor.  Consumers should be advised that some CO alarms require the purchase of an expensive replacement sensor and/or battery pack as an ongoing expense. American Sensors™ alarms do not require replacement sensors and carry a 5 year warranty,

 5.  Check that the product is Listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and/or Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada.

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Where To Install A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Since carbon monoxide moves freely in the air, the suggested location is in or as near as possible to sleeping areas of the home. The human body is most vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide during sleeping hours. To work properly the unit must not be blocked by furniture or draperies. Carbon Monoxide is virtually the same weight as air and therefore the alarm protects you in a high or low location.

For maximum protection, a carbon monoxide detector should be located outside primary sleeping areas or in each level of your home.

In the figure below are suggested locations in the home. The electronic sensor detects carbon monoxide, measures the concentration and sounds a loud alarm before a potentially harmful level is reached.

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Where NOT to Install a CO Detector
Some locations may interfere with the proper operation of the alarm and may cause false alarms or trouble signals.
CO detectors should not be installed in the following locations:

•  Where the temperature may drop below 4.4^o C (40^oF) or exceed 37.8^oC (100^oF).

• Near paint thinner fumes or household cleaning products. Ensure proper ventilation when using these types of chemicals.

• Within 1.5m (5 feet) of any cooking or open flame appliances such as furnaces, stoves and fireplaces.

• In exhaust streams from gas engines, vents, flues or chimneys.

• Do not place in close proximity to an automobile exhaust pipe; this will damage the detector.

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  How Can You Test/Reset the CO Alarm?
  A green power light indicates that power is supplied.
  To test the alarm (wait at least 10 minutes after installing the alarm); press and release the Test/Reset button. The alarm will beep and a red light will flash.

  To reset after an alarm, press the Test/Reset button to silence or reset the unit. Follow the instruction in "What to do in a CO Alarm Condition", Section 14 below, which tells you what to do after the alarm sounds. The American Sensors Carbon Monoxide alarm is designed to do a continuous self-diagnostic check of its micro processing circuitry when in use.

  A malfunctioning unit is indicated by a continuing intermittent single beep and flashing green and red light. If this occurs, reset the unit. If the unit again beeps intermittently, do not use this unit.
  
  Do not use car exhaust or intentionally introduce carbon monoxide through other methods. These methods are dangerous to you and the pollutants from car exhaust may damage the unit.
  
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  How to Maintain a Carbon Monoxide Alarm
  A CO alarm is useful only if it works. The following illustration explains proper maintenance:

  The unit should be tested at least once per month by pushing the Test/Reset button as outlined in "How Can You Test/Reset the CO Alarm?", Section 12 above.
  

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  What To Do In A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Condition
  If harmful levels of carbon monoxide are detected, your unit will go into alarm. (The alarm is a repeating pattern of 4 red LED flashes with beeps followed by a 5 second pause.)

    WARNING!

  Actuation of a CO detector indicated the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) which can kill you. If the alarm signal sounds:
  

1. Push the reset/silence button;

2. Call the emergency services;

3. Immediately move to fresh air - outdoors or by an open door/window. Do a head count to check that all persons are accounted for. Do not reenter the premises nor move away from the open door/window until the emergency services responders have arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your alarm remains in its normal condition.

4. After following steps 1 to 3, if your alarm reactivates within a 24 hour period, repeat steps 1 to 3 and call a qualified technician to investigate for sources of CO from fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection have the equipment services immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician and consult the manufacturers' instruction, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence.
   
   What to do after resetting the unit following an alarm?
   A full continuous alarm within six minutes after rest confirms ongoing presence of harmful levels of carbon monoxide. If this occurs follow instructions 1 to 3 above.
   
   
   What to do after a carbon monoxide problem has been corrected?
   After a carbon monoxide problem has been corrected reset your alarm by pushing the Test/Reset button.
   

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Additional Safety Tips
Have your fuel-burning equipment checked periodically for safety and efficiency by a qualified service technician.

If you are adding a wood or coal-burning stove to a home, make sure that the stove is properly installed and vented. Check with the Building and Inspections Department of your local municipality or consult a heating contractor before installation. If you have already installed a wood or coal stove without a building permit or inspection, consult your local municipal building authority. Some "do-it-yourselfers" have unknowingly created dangerous conditions. Once you file for a permit, a qualified inspector will check your installation and explain how to rectify any mistakes.

Do not expose yourself to carbon monoxide through carelessness. Never operate a gasoline-powered engine in a confined or enclosed space such as a garage or tool shed. Never use a kerosene stove or charcoal grill in a confined space such as a closed garage or recreational van.

On masonry chimneys inspect the clean-out regularly to ensure that the chimney is free and clear of debris.

Regardless of the fuel your furnace, fireplace or stove uses, your chimney should be inspected from time to time by a competent chimney contractor.

Never try to add a "heat re-claimer" or "automatic flue damper" to your gas furnace or water heater. Gas installation safety codes prohibit use of these devices as an add-on to an existing furnace because of the risks of incorrect installation and mechanical failure.

When using paints, household cleaning supplies or similar materials, be sure that you're using them in a well-ventilated area.

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Air leakage can account for as much as 40% of heat loss

Protect your family. Be aware of the danger signs!

Be sure fireplaces are properly vented.

Prevent the risk of chimney blockage. Have your chimney inspected annually.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Never operate a gasoline-powered engine in your garage.