Ei Electronics Carbon Monoxide Alarm Ei220EN User manual

BS EN 50291: 2001
MAINS
MAINS
POWERED
POWERED
Model Ei 225EN
Model Ei 220EN
- HARD WIRED TO MAINS
- WITH POWER CORD
MAINS POWERED
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
Read and retain carefully for as long as the product is being used. It contains vital information
on the operation and installation. The leaflet should be regarded as part of the product.
If you are just installing the unit, the leaflet must be given to the householder. The leaflet is to
be given to any subsequent user.
INSTRUCTIONS

3
4
5
11
15
19
20
22
24
26
28
28
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
READ THIS FIRST
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE CO ALARM SOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER!
WHERE TO PLACE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
INSTALLING YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
TESTING YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
MAINTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
LIMITATIONS OF CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GETTING YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS SERVICED
GUARANTEE
TROUBLESHOOTING
CONTENTS Page
2

1. READ THIS FIRST
WARNING: The Ei225EN Alarm should be permanently wired to the mains by a
qualified electrician in accordance with IEE wiring regulations (BS7671).
The Ei220EN is just plugged in to the mains.
Install the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CO Alarm) in every room that contains a fuel
burning appliance, particularly rooms where people spend a lot of time e.g.
bedrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms.
In rooms with an appliance install (preferably) on the ceiling, (300mm from
walls), and between 1m to 3m horizontally from appliance. In rooms remote from
the appliance install at breath level, where the light indicators can be seen.
Regularly check that the green power light is on. Important: The CO Alarm will
not work if the mains supply is off.
Test the unit weekly by pressing the test/hush button-the horn will sound.
Open the unit by sliding the cover up as shown in figure 1. Then remove the
terminal block screw. (Ei225EN only).
Immediately the unit is powered the green light will turn on & the red & amber
lights will flash once to show they are operational.
Replace unit after up to 6 years operation (see ‘Replace by’ date on sidewall
label).
3
?
?

When the CO Alarm detects abnormal levels of CO (above 50ppm CO) the red
light starts to flash and the horn will sound within 90 minutes. At higher levels
of CO the alarm will turn on sooner (see table B - page 9).
The CO Alarm will automatically reset once the CO has cleared. Pressing the
test/hush button resets the CO Alarm immediately (below 300ppm CO). If CO is
still present the red light and horn will turn on again after about 4 minutes.
The CO Alarm is no substitute for keeping chimneys and flues clear and in good
condition, and all of your appliances serviced regularly according to the
manufacturers’ instructions.
Do not fit alarm until all building work is completed to avoid contamination.
2. WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS
(1) Open the doors and windows to ventilate the area.
(2) Turn off all fuel appliances where possible and stop using them. (The alarm
can be silenced immediately by pushing the test/hush button).
(3) Evacuate the property leaving the doors and windows open.
(4) Get medical help immediately for anyone suffering the effects of Carbon
Monoxide poisoning (headache, nausea), and advise that Carbon Monoxide
poisoning is suspected.
?
4
?

(5) Ring your gas or other fuel supplier on their emergency number. Keep the
number in a prominent place.
(6) Do not re-enter the property until the alarm has stopped. (If the alarm has been
silenced by pressing the test/hush button, wait at least 5 minutes so the alarm can
check that the CO has cleared).
(7) Do not use the fuel appliances again until they have been checked by an
expert. In the case of gas appliances this must be a CORGI registered installer.
3. CARBON MONOXIDE
- THE SILENT KILLER!
2.1 What is Carbon Monoxide ?
Congratulations on becoming the owner of
an Ei Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This will
help protect you and your household from
the dangerous effects of Carbon Monoxide
- the silent killer. (CO is the chemical
symbol, indicating the molecule has one
carbon atom and one oxygen atom).
Many are killed each year, and many more
suffer ill health from Carbon Monoxide
PRESS HERE
FIRST AND
SLIDE UP
TERMINAL
BLOCK
COVER
SCREW
(Ei225EN only)
MOUNTING
HOLES
GAS
ENTRY
HOLES
Figure 1 - Alarm Installation
5

(CO) poisoning. CO is an invisible, odourless, tasteless and extremely toxic gas. It is
produced by appliances and vehicles burning fuels, such as coal, oil, natural/bottled
gas, paraffin, wood, petrol, diesel, charcoal etc. CO is absorbed by red blood cells in
the lungs in preference to oxygen - this results in rapid damage to the heart and brain
from oxygen starvation.
High levels of CO in a house can be caused by:
•Incorrectly or poorly installed fuel-burning appliances.
•Blocked or cracked chimneys/flues.
•Blocked vents or draught-proofing which makes areas with fuel burning appliances
or fireplaces airtight.
•Engines of cars, lawnmowers etc. left running in confined spaces.
•Portable paraffin or gas heaters in badly ventilated rooms.
2.2 Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Most people know that high levels of CO are harmful, however the period of exposure
is also important.
The following symptoms are related to Carbon Monoxide poisoning and should be
discussed with all members of the household.
6

7
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, cardiorespiratory failure, death.
A high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30 minutes) will cause the
same symptoms, a slight headache, as a lower level for a longer time (e.g. 150 ppm
for 90 minutes). Table A shows how exposure to different concentrations of CO
generally affects people.
Many cases of reported Carbon Monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are
aware they are not well, they become so disorientated they are unable to save
themselves by either leaving the building or calling for assistance. Young children and
household pets may be the first affected.

Table A: Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
35 The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8 hour period
according to OSHA *.
150 Slight headache after 1.5 hours.
200 Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.
400 Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours, also maximum parts per
million in flue gas (on an air free basis) according to US Environmental Protection Agency.
800 Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hours.
Death within 2-3 hours.
1,600 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
3,200 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.
6,400 Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.
12,800 Death within 1-3 minutes.
2.3 What happens when your CO Alarm detects Carbon Monoxide ?
When the Alarm detects potentally dangerous levels of CO, it flashes the red alarm
light and then sounds a loud alarm if the CO persists.
8
ppm
Concentration
of CO in Air Inhalation Time (approx) and Symptoms Developed
ppm = parts per million
*OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Association

Table B shows how the CO Alarm reacts to different levels of CO gas and exposure time.
At higher levels of CO the alarm turns on sooner. The rate of flashing of the red light
indicates the level of CO.
Table B: CO Alarm Response
* unless it has been in alarm (see CO Alarm Memory below)
If your CO Alarm sounds follow the instructions on page 4.
When ventilation is provided by leaving the window and doors open, the CO build up
may have dissipated by the time help arrives and the alarm may have stopped
sounding. Although your problem may appear temporarily solved it is crucial that the
source of the CO is determined and appropriate repairs made.
NEVER IGNORE THE ALARM.
Pre-Alarm: When the alarm detects over 50ppm CO the red light flashes every 2
seconds. This helps locate CO leaks, as the unit gives an indication straight away.
9
CO Level
ppm
Horn On
within
Red
Alarm Light
0 ppm
50ppm
100 ppm
300 ppm
Off
60 to 90 minutes
10 to 40 minutes
3 minutes
Off *
1 Flash / 2 Seconds
4 Flashes / 2 Second
8 Flashes / 2 Second

(Without this feature the CO level would need to be at 50ppm CO for 90 minutes for
an indication to be given). Note the Pre-Alarm signal may be triggered by CO coming
for example, from cooking with gas, from car engines or from nearby barbecues. This
is usually not a concern unless the Pre-Alarm signal persists until the alarm sounds
and the CO source is unknown.
NOTE: The CO Alarm may sound if cigarette smoke is blown into it, or aerosols are
released nearby.
CO ALARM MEMORY
- Red light is Off – No CO detected since reset or power up.
- Red light flashes 2 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 50 ppm CO detected
for least about 90 minutes.
- Red light flashes 4 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 100 ppm CO detected
for least about 40 minutes.
- Red light flashes 8 times (in 2 seconds) every 40 seconds, 300 ppm CO detected
for at least about 3 minutes.
When the test button is pressed the horn will sound, and the red light will only flash if the
unit has previously detected CO and been in alarm. The flash rate indicates the level of
CO detected as in table B.
Reset Memory by holding down the test button for over 20 seconds until the red light
stops flashing. Cover the horn with a cloth to muffle the alarm during this time.
Please note that the memory will also be reset when the unit is unpowered.
10