BRK electronic SC1000BN User manual

MODEL SC1000BN—User’s Manual
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
M06-1048-000 11/99
BATTERY SERVICE
SMOKE CO
TEST
SILENCE
MOVE TO
FRESH AIR
For your records,
please record:
Date and Where
Purchased:

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Basic Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Smoke/CO Alarm Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Where to Install This Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Where NOT To Install This Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
How to Install This Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
CHAPTER 3: IF YOUR SMOKE/CO ALARM SOUNDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
What To Do First—Identify The Type Of Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
What To Do If Carbon Monoxide is Detected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
What To Do If Smoke Is Detected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the Silence Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
CHAPTER 4: TESTING AND MAINTENANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
CHAPTER 5: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Protecting Your Family From CO Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Protecting Your Family From Fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
CHAPTER 6: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
CHAPTER 7: REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR CO ALARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CHAPTER 8: REGULATORY INFORMATION FOR SMOKE ALARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CHAPTER 9: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CHAPTER 10: GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF SMOKE/CO ALARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
LIMITED WARRANTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BACK COVER
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND SAVE: This unit was shipped with a user’s manual that contains
important information about its operation. If you are installing this unit for use by others, you must
leave this manual—or a copy of it—with the user.

1
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
BASIC FEATURES
• Separate sensor and alarm to detect
smoke and CO. The two alarm systems
work independently.
• Powered by a single 9V alkaline or
lithium battery
• Flip-open battery door for easy battery
replacement
• Large, easy-to-use Test/Silence button
• Colored lights indicate battery status and
service needed.
The CO Alarm
The Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm measures
CO levels in the air. It will alarm if CO levels rise
quickly (if the heat exchanger on your furnace
breaks, for example), or if CO is consistently
present (a slow CO leak in your stove or water
heater).
• Features Solid-state Infrared Reservoir
(SIR) Sensor System
• “CO” alarm light flashes when
CO alarm is triggered
• Silence feature quiets alarm horn while
you take corrective action
The Smoke Alarm
The Smoke Alarm monitors the air for the
presence of combustion particles (produced
when something burns). When enough
combustion particles reach the smoke sensing
chamber, it triggers an alarm.
• Ionization Technology
• “SMOKE” alarm light flashes when
smoke alarm is triggered
• Silence feature quiets alarm horn in
response to unwanted alarms like those
caused by cooking smoke

2
BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION
IMPORTANT!
Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions alert you to
important operating instructions or to
potentially hazardous situations. Pay special
attention to these items.
CAUTION!
This combination Smoke and Carbon
Monoxide Alarm has two separate alarms.
The CO alarm is not designed to detect fire
or any other gas. It will only indicate the
presence of carbon monoxide gas at the
sensor. Carbon monoxide gas may be
present in other areas. The Smoke Alarm will
only indicate the presence of smoke that
reaches the sensor. The smoke alarm will
not sense gas, heat or flames.
IMPORTANT!
This smoke/CO alarm is approved for use in
single-family residences. It is NOT designed for
marine or RV use.
IMPORTANT!
This device is not intended to alert hearing
impaired residents. Smoke alarms specifically
designed for the hearing impaired, which feature
devices like flashing strobe lights, are available
to alert the hearing impaired in case of fire.
WARNING!
This smoke/CO alarm cannot operate
without a working battery. Removing the
battery for any reason, or failing to replace
the battery at the end of its service life,
removes your protection.
WARNING!
NEVER ignore any alarm. Refer to Chapter 3
for more information on how to respond to an
alarm. Failure to respond can result in injury
or death.
WARNING!
The silence feature is for your convenience
only and will not correct a problem. See
Chapter 3 for details on using the silence
feature.
WARNING!
Test this smoke/CO alarm once a week. If it
ever fails to test correctly, have it replaced
immediately! If the alarm is not working
properly, it cannot alert you to a problem.
CAUTION!
Do not paint over the smoke/CO alarm. Paint
may clog the openings to the sensing
chamber and prevent the sensors from
operating properly.

3
ALARM SPECIFICATIONS
Audible Alarm: 85dB minimum at 10 feet
(3 meters)
Power: Powered by 9V battery. Green light
flashes about twice a minute when device is
receiving battery power.
This alarm is designed to sound for up to
12 hours in alarm conditions, provided the
battery is fresh and installed correctly.
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty.
The Smoke Alarm
During Alarm: Repeating Horn Pattern: horn
sounds three times, then pauses, then sounds
three times, then pauses, until silence button is
pressed, smoke dissipates, or battery runs
down. Red “SMOKE” indicator flashes rapidly.
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms
UL217.
The Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Gas Detection at Typical Temperature and
Humidity Ranges:
The CO alarm is not
formulated to detect CO levels below 30 ppm
typically. UL tested for false alarm resistance to
Methane (500 ppm), Butane (300 ppm),
Heptane (500 ppm), Ethyl Acetate (200 ppm),
Isopropyl Alcohol (200 ppm) and Carbon
Dioxide (5000 ppm). Values measure gas and
vapor concentrations in parts per million (ppm).
Required Alarm Levels: Before 10% COHb
exposure at levels of 30% to 70% Relative
Humidity (RH):
• 400 ppm CO between 4 and 15 minutes
• 150 ppm CO between 10 and 50 minutes
• 70 ppm CO between 60 and 240 minutes
The unit is designed not to alarm when exposed
to a constant level of 30 ppm for 30 days.
During Alarm: Repeating Horn Pattern: horn
sounds 4 times, then pauses, then sounds four
times, then pauses, until silence button is
pressed, CO dissipates, or battery runs down.
Red “CO” indicator light flashes rapidly.
Standards: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide
Alarms UL2034.

4
The Carbon Monoxide Alarm (continued)
According to Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
UL2034, Section 1.2: “Carbon monoxide
alarms covered by these requirements are
intended to respond to the presence of carbon
monoxide from sources such as, but not limited
to, exhaust from internal-combustion engines,
abnormal operation of fuel-fired appliances,
and fireplaces. Carbon monoxide alarms are
intended to alarm at carbon monoxide levels
below those that could cause a loss of ability to
react to the dangers of carbon monoxide
exposure.
This CO alarm monitors the air, and is designed
to alarm before CO levels become life
threatening. This allows you precious time to
leave the house and correct the problem. This
is only possible if alarms are located, installed,
and maintained as described in this manual.
This CO alarm is designed to alert you to
a potentially dangerous build-up of CO over
time. It cannot fix a CO problem, and it
cannot identify a specific source of CO.
The company shall not be obligated to pay
for any carbon monoxide investigation or
service call conducted by a Fire Department,
or licensed investigator or repairman,
arranged by the homeowner in response to
an alarm.
WARNING!
This product is intended for use in ordinary
indoor locations of family living units. It is
not designed to measure CO levels in
compliance with Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) commercial
or industrial standards. Individuals with
medical conditions may consider using
warning devices which provide audible and
visual signals for carbon monoxide
concentrations under 30 ppm.

5
CHAPTER 2: Installation
WHERE TO INSTALL
THIS ALARM
Minimum coverage for smoke alarms, as
recommended by the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), is one smoke alarm on
every floor, in every sleeping area, and in every
bedroom (See Chapter 8 for details on the
NFPA recommendations).
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) recommends the use of at least one
CO alarm per household, located near the
sleeping area.
N
OTE:
For added protection, install an additional
CO alarm at least 15 feet (5 meters) away from
the furnace or fuel burning heat source.
In general, install combination
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms:
• On every level of your home, including
finished attics and basements.
• Inside every bedroom, especially if
people sleep with the door partly or
completely closed.
• In the hall near every sleeping area. If
your home has multiple sleeping areas,
install a unit in each. If a hall is more than
40 feet (12 meters) long, install a unit at
each end.
• At the top of first-to-second floor stairs.
• At the bottom of the basement stairs.
• For additional coverage, install alarms in
all rooms, halls, and storage areas, where
temperatures normally remain between
40˚F and 100˚F (4˚C and 38˚C).
In a Mobile Home:
• Install alarms on inside walls ONLY!
Uninsulated outside walls and roofs of
mobile homes often transfer heat and
cold from outdoors.

6
Recommended Placement
• When installing on the wall, the smoke
alarm should be placed between 4 inches
(102 mm) and 12 inches (305 mm) from
the wall/ceiling line.
• When installing on the ceiling, place the
alarm as close to the center as possible.
• In either case, install at least 4 inches
(102 mm) from where the wall and ceiling
meet. See “Avoiding Dead Air Spaces”
on page 7 for more information.
N
OTE:
For any location, make sure no door or other
obstruction could keep carbon monoxide or
smoke from reaching the alarm.
WHERE NOT TO INSTALL
THIS ALARM
Do NOT locate this smoke/CO alarm:
• In garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, crawl
spaces and unfinished attics. Avoid
extremely dusty, dirty or greasy areas.
• Closer than 20 feet (6 meters) from a fur-
nace or other fuel burning heat source, or
fuel burning appliances like a water heater.
• Where combustion particles (formed when
something burns) are produced. Avoid
poorly ventilated kitchens, garages, and
furnace rooms. Keep this smoke/CO alarm
at least 20 feet (6 meters) from sources of
combustion particles (stove, vehicle,
furnace) whenever possible.
• Within 5 feet of any cooking appliance.
In air streams near kitchens. Air currents
can draw cooking smoke into the smoke
sensor and cause unwanted alarms.
• In extremely humid areas. This alarm should
be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a shower,
sauna, humidifier, vaporizer, dishwasher,
laundry room, utility room, or other source
of high humidity.
• In direct sunlight.
• In turbulent air, like near ceiling fans or open
windows. Blowing air may prevent CO or
smoke from reaching the sensors.
Continued on next page...

7
Do NOT locate this smoke/CO alarm:
• Where the temperatures are regularly
below 40˚ F (4˚C) or above 100˚ F (38˚ C)
including unheated buildings, outdoor
rooms, porches, or unfinished attics or
basements. Extreme temperatures may
shorten component or battery life.
• In insect infested areas. Insects can clog
the openings to the sensing chamber.
• Less than 12 inches (305 mm) away from
fluorescent lights. Electrical “noise” can
interfere with the sensor.
Avoiding Dead Air Spaces
“Dead air” spaces may prevent smoke from
reaching the smoke alarm. To avoid dead air
spaces, follow installation recommendations:
On ceilings, install smoke alarms as close to
the center of the ceiling as possible. If this is
not possible, install the smoke alarm at least 4
inches (102 mm) from the wall or corner.
On a peaked, gabled, or cathedral ceiling, install
the first smoke alarm within 3 feet (0.9 meters)
of the peak of the ceiling, measured
horizontally. Additional smoke alarms may be
required depending on the length, angle, etc. of
the ceiling's slope. Refer to NFPA 72 for details
on requirements for sloped or peaked ceilings.
For wall mounting (if allowed by building
codes), the smoke alarm should be placed
between 4 inches (102 mm) and
12 inches (305 mm) from the wall/ceiling line,
below typical “dead air” spaces.

8
HOW TO INSTALL THIS ALARM
IMPORTANT!
This combination smoke/CO alarm was
designed to be mounted on the ceiling or
wall. It is not a tabletop device.
You must
install this device on the ceiling or wall as
outlined below. Read “Where To Install This
Alarm” before starting. Tools you will need:
pencil, drill with 3/16” or 5mm drill bit, flathead
screwdriver, hammer.
Before you start installation, find the pair of
self-adhesive labels included with this alarm. On
each label write in the phone number of your
emergency responder (like 911) and a qualified
appliance technician. Place one label near the
Alarm, and the other label in the “fresh air” location
you plan to go if the alarm sounds.
N
OTE:
A qualified appliance technician is defined as “a
person, firm, corporation, or company that either
in person or through a representative, is engaged
in and responsible for the installation, testing,
servicing, or replacement of heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment,
combustion appliances and equipment, and/or
gas fireplaces or other decorative combustion
equipment.”
CAUTION!
Do not connect this unit to any other alarm
or auxiliary device. It is a single-station unit
that cannot be linked to other devices.
Connecting anything else to this unit may
prevent it from working properly.
CAUTION!
Do not install this unit over an electrical
junction box. Air currents around junction
boxes can prevent smoke from reaching the
sensing chamber and prevent the unit from
alarming. Only AC powered units are
intended for installation over junction boxes.
1. Hold base firmly and twist the mounting
bracket counterclockwise (left) to separate it
from the unit.
2. Hold the mounting
bracket against the
ceiling (or wall) and
use a pencil to mark
the center of each
mounting slot.
3. Put the unit where it won’t get covered with
dust when you drill the mounting holes.
4. Using a 3/16-inch (5 mm) drill bit, drill a hole
through each pencil mark.
5. Insert the plastic screw anchors into the
holes. Tap the screw anchors gently with a
hammer, if necessary, until they are flush
with the ceiling or wall.

9
6. Line the mounting bracket up over the
plastic screw anchors.
7. Screw the
mounting bracket
to the ceiling or
wall through the
mounting slots
using the two
screws provided.
8. Before attaching
the alarm to the
bracket, insert
the 9V battery
(included) into
the battery
compartment.
Match the
terminals on the
end of the
battery with the
terminals on the
unit. Match “+”
to “+” and “-” to “-.” Push the battery in until
it snaps in securely and cannot be shaken
loose. If the battery is not snapped in
completely, the unit cannot receive battery
power.
N
OTE:
The unit may beep briefly when you install the
battery. This is normal.
WARNING!
The battery door will not close unless a
battery is installed. This warns you the unit
will not operate without a battery.
9. Align the tabs on the base with the tabs on
the mounting bracket. Turn the base until it
snaps into place.
10.If the cover does not line up the way you
wanted, adjust it by slowly rotating it in
either direction.
11.Test the smoke/CO alarm. See “Weekly
Testing” (page 14) for details.

10
CHAPTER 3: If Your Smoke/CO Alarm Sounds
WHAT TO DO FIRST—IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF ALARM
Type of alarm: The Alarm is... This means... You should...
Carbon Monoxide CO Light:
Flashing RED
Horn: 4 beeps —
silence, repeating
The device has
detected carbon
monoxide
See “What To Do
If Carbon Monoxide
Is Detected.”(Page 11)
Smoke SMOKE Light:
Flashing RED
Horn: 3 beeps —
silence, repeating
The device has
detected smoke See “What To Do If Smoke Is Detected.”
(Page 12)
Problem... The Alarm is... This means... You should...
Low Battery BATTERY Light:
Flashing yellow
Horn: Chirps every
30 seconds
Thebatteryinthe
alarm is low Install a new 9V alkaline or lithium battery*.
*For a list of acceptable
replacement batteries, see
“Regular Maintenance.” (Pg. 15)
Service SERVICE Light:
Flashing yellow
Horn: Chirps three
times every 30
seconds
The device is not
working properly See “Testing and Maintenance.” (Page 14)

11
WHAT TO DO IF CARBON MONOXIDE IS DETECTED
WARNING!
Actuation of your CO alarm indicates the
presence of carbon monoxide (CO) which
can kill you. In other words, when your
CO alarm sounds, you must not ignore it!
If the Alarm Sounds:
1. Operate the Test/Silence button.
2. Call your emergency services, fire
department or 911. Write down the number
of your local emergency service here:
3. Immediately move to fresh air—outdoors or
by an open door or window. Do a head
count to check that all persons are
accounted for. Do not re-enter the premises,
or move away from the open door or
window until the emergency services
responder has arrived, the premises have
been aired out, and your CO alarm remains
in its normal condition.
4. After following steps 1-3, if your CO alarm
reactivates within a 24-hour period, repeat
steps 1-3 and call a qualified appliance
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 serviced
immediately. Note any combustion equipment
not inspected by the technician, and consult
the manufacturers’ instructions, 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. Write down the
number of a qualified appliance technician
here:
_______________________________________
Finding the Source of CO
After an Alarm
Because CO may dissipate by the time an
investigator arrives, it may be difficult to locate
the source of CO. See Chapter 6 “What You
Need To Know About CO.” (Page 18.)
BRK
Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to pay for
any carbon monoxide investigation or
service call.
“ALARM-MOVE
TO FRESH AIR”
If you hear the alarm
horn and the red light
is flashing, move
everyone to a source
of fresh air. DO NOT
move the CO alarm!

12
WHAT TO DO IF SMOKE IS DETECTED
WARNING!
NEVER ignore any alarm. Ignoring the alarm
may result in injury or death. If the alarm
sounds and you are not absolutely certain of
the source of the smoke, get everyone out of
the house immediately.
If the alarm sounds and you are not absolutely
certain of the source of the smoke, get
everyone out of the house immediately.
If the unit alarms and you are certain that the
source of smoke is not a fire emergency
—cooking smoke or an extremely dusty
furnace, for example—use the silence feature
to quiet the alarm, then open a nearby window
or door and fan the smoke away from the unit.
In most cases this will silence the alarm, and
once the smoke clears the unit will reset
automatically.
Responding to An Alarm
• Don’t panic; stay calm. Follow your
family escape plan. Your safe escape
may depend on thinking clearly and
remembering what you have practiced.
Get out of the house as quickly as possi-
ble. Don’t stop to get dressed or collect
anything.
• Feel doors with the back of your hand
before opening them to see if they are
hot. If a door is cool, open it slowly.
Don’t open a hot door—use an alternate
escape route.
• Stay close to the floor. Smoke and hot
gases rise.
• Keep doors and windows closed, unless
you need to escape through them.
• Meet at your planned meeting place out-
side your home, and do a head count to
make sure everyone got out safely.
• Call the Fire Department as soon as
possible from outside. Give your
address, then your name.
• Never go back inside a burning building
for any reason.
Contact your Fire Department for more
ideas on making your home safer and on
creating your own family escape plan.

13
USING THE SILENCE FEATURE
The silence feature is intended to temporarily
silence the horn while you identify and correct
the problem. Do not use the silence feature in
emergency situations. It will not correct a CO
problem or extinguish a fire.
To use the silence feature, press and hold the
Test/Silence button on the cover of the smoke/
CO alarm for 3 seconds.
WARNING!
Never remove the batteries to quiet an
unwanted alarm. Removing the batteries
disables the alarm and removes your
protection.
When the smoke alarm is silenced.... When the CO alarm is silenced...
The smoke alarm will remain silent for up to 15
minutes and then return to normal operation.
If the smoke has not cleared—or increases at
any time,— the device will go back into alarm.
The CO alarm will remain silent for 4 minutes.
After 4 minutes, if CO levels remain potentially
dangerous the horn will start sounding again.
WARNING!
Use the silence feature only if you are
certain of the source of smoke. If you are
not certain of the source or a fire starts
while you are clearing smoke, evacuate the
house immediately.
IMPORTANT!
The silence feature is intended to temporarily
silence the alarm horn. It will not correct a
CO problem.

14
CHAPTER 4: Testing and Maintenance
WEEKLY TESTING
WARNING!
DO NOT stand close to the alarm when the
horn is sounding. Exposure at close range
may be harmful to your hearing. When testing,
step away when horn starts sounding.
Push and hold the Test/Silence button on the
cover until you hear a “chirp.” The “chirp”
marks the start of the self-test sequence.
• First, the BATTERY (green) and
SERVICE (yellow) lights will flash briefly—
this is normal.
• Next, the smoke alarm will sound.
The smoke symbol will flash, and you will
hear this horn pattern: 3 beeps, pause,
3 beeps, pause.
• Finally, the CO alarm will sound.
The CO symbol will flash, and you will
hear this horn pattern: 4 beeps, pause,
4 beeps, pause.
If the unit does not alarm, make sure the battery
is correctly installed, and test again. If the unit
still does not alarm, replace it immediately.
N
OTE:
During testing, if the yellow service light comes
on and the horn “chirps” 3 times, the device
should be replaced. If the battery light flashes
yellow, replace the battery immediately.
If the alarm does not test properly:
1. Make sure the battery is installed correctly.
2. Be sure the alarm is clean and dust-free.
3. Install a fresh 9V alkaline or lithium battery*
and test the alarm again.
If the CO alarm is not working properly, refer to
the “Limited Warranty” at the end of this
manual.
WARNING!
If there is still a problem, do not try to fix the
alarm yourself. This will void your warranty!
CAUTION!
The Test/Silence button is the ONLY proper
way to test this smoke/CO alarm. NEVER
use vehicle exhaust, open flame, or aerosol
smoke. Using anything but the Test/Silence
button will damage the unit, and may cause
personal injury or property damage.
*For a list of acceptable replacement batteries,
see “Regular Maintenance.” (Page 15)

15
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
To keep the alarm in good working order:
• Test it every week using the
Test/Silence button.
• Vacuum the alarm cover at least once a
month, using the soft brush attachment.
Test the alarm again after vacuuming.
• Replace the battery when the alarm
“chirps” and the yellow light blinks twice
a minute (the low battery warning).
N
OTE:
The low battery warning should last for 30 days,
but you should replace the battery immediately
to continue your protection.
Choosing a replacement battery:
This unit requires one standard 9V alkaline
battery. The following alkaline battery is
acceptable as a replacement: Duracell
#MN1604. You can also use an Ultralife 9 volt
lithium battery, #U9VL for longer service life
between battery changes. These replacement
batteries are commonly available at local retail
stores.
IMPORTANT!
Use only the alkaline or lithium replacement
batteries listed. The unit may not operate
properly with other batteries. Never use
rechargeable batteries since they may not
provide a constant charge.
CAUTION!
DO NOT spray cleaning chemicals or insect
sprays directly on or near the alarm.
DO NOT paint over the alarm. Doing so may
permanently damage the alarm.
IMPORTANT!
Household cleaners, aerosol chemicals, and
other contaminants can affect the sensor. When
using any of these materials near the alarm,
make sure the room is well ventilated.
N
OTE:
All products have a limited life. The unit
should be replaced immediately if it is not
operating properly.

16
CHAPTER 5: Protecting Your Family
Protecting Your Family From CO Poisoning
A CO alarm is an excellent means of protection.
It monitors the air and sounds a loud alarm
before carbon monoxide levels become
threatening for average, healthy adults.
A CO alarm is not a substitute for proper
maintenance of home appliances.
To help prevent CO problems and reduce the
risk of CO poisoning:
• Clean chimneys and flues yearly. Keep
them free of debris, leaves, and nests for
proper air flow. Also, have a professional
check for rust and corrosion, cracks, or
separations. These conditions can prevent
proper air movement and cause back-
drafting. Never “cap” or cover a chimney
in any way that would block air flow.
• Test and maintain all fuel-burning equip-
ment annually. Many local gas or oil com-
panies and HVAC companies offer
appliance inspections for a nominal fee.
• Make regular visual inspections of all
fuel-burning appliances. Check appli-
ances for excessive rust and scaling.
Also check the flame on the burner and
pilot lights. The flame should be blue.
A yellow flame means fuel is not being
burned completely and CO may be
present. Keep the blower door on the
furnace closed. Use vents or fans when
they are available on all fuel-burning
appliances. Make sure appliances are
vented to the outside. Do not grill or
barbecue indoors, or in garages or on
screen porches.
• Check for exhaust backflow from CO
sources. Check the draft hood on an
operating furnace for a backdraft. Look
for cracks on furnace heat exchangers.
• Check the house or garage on the other
side of shared wall.
• Keep windows and doors open slightly.
If you suspect that CO is escaping into
your home, open a window or a door.
Opening windows and doors can signifi-
cantly decrease CO levels.
In addition, familiarize yourself with the
enclosed checklist, read this manual in its
entirety, and make sure you understand
what to do if your alarm sounds.

17
PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM FIRE
Putting up smoke alarms is just one step in
protecting your family from fires. You must also
reduce the chance a fire will start in your home,
and have a plan for escaping safely if one does.
To have a good fire safety program, you must:
• Develop a family escape plan and prac-
tice it with everyone in your family,
including small children. 1) Draw a floor
plan of your home and identify at least
two exits from each room and one way to
get out of each bedroom without opening
the door; 2) Decide on a meeting place a
safe distance from home, and make sure
everyone knows to wait there; 3) Know
where to go to call the Fire Department
from outside the home; 4) Make sure
everyone—including all children—know
what the alarm signal means and how to
react to it. Teach them they must be pre-
pared to leave the home by themselves if
needed; 5) Hold fire drills every 6 months
and practice how to escape safely. Show
children how to check if doors are hot
before opening them. Show them how to
use an alternate exit if a door is hot and
shouldn’t be opened. Teach them to stay
close to the floor and crawl if necessary.
• Install at least one smoke alarm on every
level of your home, in every bedroom,
and in every sleeping area. Keep alarms
clean, and test them weekly. Replace
smoke alarms immediately if they are not
working properly. Smoke alarms that do
not work cannot alert you to a fire.
• Keep at least one working fire extin-
guisher on every floor, and an additional
one in the kitchen. Have fire escape lad-
ders or other reliable means of escape
from an upper floor in case the stairs are
blocked.
• Follow safety rules, and prevent hazard-
ous situations: 1) Use smoking materials
properly. Never smoke in bed. 2) Keep
matches or lighters away from children;
3) Store flammable materials in proper
containers; 4) Keep electrical appliances
in good condition and don’t overload
electrical circuits; 5) Keep stoves, barbe-
cue grills, fireplaces and chimneys free
from grease and debris; 6) Never leave
anything cooking on the stove unat-
tended; 7) Keep portable heaters and
open flames, like candles, away from
flammable materials; 8) Don’t allow
rubbish to accumulate.

18
CHAPTER 6: What You Need To Know About CO
What is CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas
produced when fossil fuels do not burn
completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire).
Electrical appliances typically do not
produce CO.
These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil,
natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If
they are not properly maintained, are improperly
ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise
quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are
more energy efficient. “Air-tight” homes with
added insulation, sealed windows, and other
weatherproofing can “trap” CO inside.
Symptoms of CO Poisoning
These symptoms are related to CO
POISONING and should be discussed with
ALL household members.
Mild Exposure Slight headache, nausea,
vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symptoms).
Medium Exposure Throbbing headache,
drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extreme Exposure Convulsions,
unconsciousness, heart and lung failure.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause brain
damage, death.
CAUTION!
Some individuals are more sensitive to CO
than others, including people with cardiac or
respiratory problems, infants, unborn
babies, pregnant mothers, or elderly people
can be more quickly and severely affected
by CO. Members of sensitive populations
should consult their doctors for advice on
taking additional precautions.
Finding the Source of CO
After an Alarm
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas,
which often makes it difficult to locate the
source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of
the factors that can make it difficult to locate
sources of CO:
• House well ventilated before the
investigator arrives.
• Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
• Transient CO problem caused by
special circumstances.
BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to
pay for any carbon monoxide investigation
or service call.