Kidde KN-COSM-BCA User manual

Battery Operated
COMBINATION SMOKE &
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
User’s Guide
With 2-LED Display, HUSH®an Peak Level Memory
Model:
KN-COSM-BCA
Manual /N 810-1333 Rev. E
SINGLE STATION CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMSINGLE STATION SMOKE ALARM
AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM

Introduction.............................1
Illustrations ........................... 2-3
Features ...............................4-8
Installation .......................... 9-14
Operation ...........................15-17
AlarmRemoval .........................17
AlarmReplacement .....................17
Battery Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Maintenance ........................... 19
Carbon Monoxide Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-23
FireSafety .......................... 24-26
Warranty ........................... 27-29
Table of Contents

1
Thank you for purchasing the Kidde
Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Model # KN-COSM-BCA.
This alarm has a five-year limited warranty.
Please take a few minutes to thoroughly read this
user’s guide, and save for future reference. Teach
children how to respond to the alarms, and that they
should never play with the unit.
Your Kidde Smoke/CO Alarm was designed to detect
both smoke and carbon monoxide from any source of
combustion in a residential environment. t is not
designed for use in a recreational vehicle (RV) or boat.
f you have any questions about the operation or
installation of your alarm, please call our toll free
Consumer Hotline at 1-800-880-6788.
The guide on page 25 will help you determine the
correct location of safety products that will help keep
your home a safer place.
Introduction

2
Illustration
FRONT
Red LED Light
Green LED Light
Test/Reset/
Hush®
Button
Alarm
Sounder

3
Illustration
INSTALL
LAST
INSTALL
SECOND
INSTALL
FIRST
BACK
3
2
INSTALL
THIRD
INSTALL
SECOND
INSTALL
FIRST
AA Battery
AA Battery
AA Battery
Batter
Chamber
Batter Placement

4
• Permanent independent smoke and carbon
monoxide sensors (ionization and electrochemical).
• Loud 85 decibel alarm.
• Alarm/Voice message warning system that specifies
which dangerous condition exists, eliminating any
confusion over which alarm is sounding:
FIRE: The alarm/voice pattern is 8 seconds of alarm
beeps followed by the verbal warning message,
“Fire! Feu!” This pattern is repeated until the smoke
is eliminated. The red LED light will flash while in
alarm/voice mode.
CARBO MO OXIDE: The alarm/voice pattern is four
short alarm beeps followed by the verbal warning
message, “Carbon Monoxide! Monoxyde de Carbone!”
This continues until the unit is reset or the CO
eliminated. After four minutes the alarm/voice
pattern will sound once every minute. The red
Light Emitting Diode (LED) light will flash while in
alarm/voice mode.
LOW BATTERY: When the batteries are low and need
replacing the red LED light will flash and the unit
will “chirp” one time, followed by the warning
message, “Low Battery. Pile Faible!” This cycle will
occur once every minute for the first hour. After
the first hour the red LED light will continue to flash
every minute accompanied by the "chirp" only
sound. The voice message “Low Battery. Pile
Faible!” will sound once every fifteen minutes
during the “chirp” only cycle. This will continue for
at least seven days.
• One “chirp” every 30 seconds is an indication that
the alarm is malfunctioning. f this occurs call the
Consumer Hotline at 1-800-880-6788.
OTE: After seven (7) years of cumulative power up,
this unit will "chirp" twice every 30 seconds. This is
an "operational end of life" feature which will
indicate that it is time to replace the alarm.
Features

5
• Oversized test button for easy activation.
• Test button performs the following functions:
Tests the units electronics and verifies
proper unit operation
Resets the unit during CO alarm
Activates HUSH® Feature (see Page 16).
Peak Level Memory (See Page 17).
• Mounting bracket designed for easy orientation
of unit.
• Green and red LED lights that indicate normal
operation and alarm status.
Green Light: The green Light Emitting Diode (LED)
flashes every 30 seconds to indicate the unit is
operating properly, and once every 2 seconds to
indicate the unit is in HUSH® mode. The green
light also flashes before a CO reading is taken and
when any button is pressed.
Red Light: When a dangerous level of smoke or
carbon monoxide is detected the red Light Emitting
Diode (LED) will flash and the corresponding alarm
pattern (depending on the source) will sound. f
the unit malfunctions, the red LED light will flash
and the unit will chirp every 30 seconds indicating a
system problem.
• Powered by three (3) AA batteries.
• Battery lockout system that prohibits installation
without using three batteries.
• Smoke alarm takes precedence when both smoke
and carbon monoxide are present.
Features

6
Features
Tamper Resist Feature
To make the Smoke/CO alarm tamper resistant, a
tamper resist feature has been provided. Activate the
tamper resist feature by breaking off the four posts in
the square holes in the mounting plate (see Figure 1A).
Rotate the alarm onto the mounting plate until you
hear the tamper resist tab snap into place, locking the
alarm.
Using the tamper resist feature will help deter children
and others from removing the alarm. To remove the
alarm, press on the tamper resist tab, and rotate the
alarm off of the mounting plate (see Figure 1B).
FIGURE 1A FIGURE 1B
A
Location
of Posts
A
TAMPER RESIST FEATURE

7
Smoke Alarm
The smoke alarm constantly monitors the air for
products of combustion that are produced when
something is burning or smoldering. When smoke
particles in the smoke sensor reach a specified
concentration, the alarm/voice message warning system
will sound, accompanied by the flashing red LED light.
OTE: The smoke alarm takes precedence when both
smoke and carbon monoxide are present.
This unit has a smoke sensor that uses the ionization
technology.
Smoke alarms are devices that can provide early warning of
possible fires at a reasonable cost, however, alarms have
sensing limitations.
Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles
(associated with fast flaming fires) sooner than
photoelectric alarms.
Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles
(associated with slow smoldering fires) sooner than
ionization alarms.
Home fires develop in different ways and are often
unpredictable. For maximum protection, Kidde recommends
both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms be installed.
CAUTIO : Smoke must reach the sensor to be detected.
Smoke alarms may not sense fires starting in chimneys,
walls, on roofs, on the other side of a closed door, or on a
different floor. The alarm may be unable to wake a sound
sleeper, or someone impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Features

8
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm
The carbon monoxide (CO) alarm constantly monitors the air
for the presence of CO. t will alarm when there are high
levels of CO present, and when there are low levels of CO
present over a longer period of time (see Page 20 for alarm
times). When a CO condition matches either of these
situations, the alarm/voice message warning system will
sound, accompanied by the flashing red LED light.
The carbon monoxide sensor uses an electrochemical
technology.
CAUTIO : This alarm will only indicate the presence
of carbon monoxide gas at the sensor. Carbon monoxide
gas may be present in other areas.
This device is designed to protect individuals from the
acute effects of carbon monoxide exposure. t will not
fully safeguard individuals with specific medical
conditions. f in doubt consult a medical practitioner.
Installation of the device should not be used as a substitute for
proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning
appliances, including appropriate ventilation and exhaust
systems.
ndividuals with medical problems may consider using
warning devices which provide audible and visual
signals for carbon monoxide concentrations under
30 ppm.
ever ignore the sound of an alarm!
Determining what type of alarm has sounded is easy
with the Combination Smoke/CO Alarm.
The voice message warning system will inform you of
the type of hazard occurring.
Features

9
Installing Batteries
Batteries were not installed at the factory and must be
installed for the unit to operate! nstall the three (3)
AA batteries in the back of the Smoke/CO Alarm.
• The mounting plate must be removed from the
back of the alarm to install batteries. To detach, twist
the mounting plate and the alarm in opposite
directions.
• The battery polarity markings on the bottom of the
battery compartment must be adhered to.
• Batteries must be installed in the sequence shown.
f batteries seem difficult to install, they’re not being
installed in the proper sequence.
• Smoke/CO Alarm will not engage to bracket unless
all three batteries are installed. Removal of any or
all batteries will render the Smoke/CO Alarm
inoperative!
• After the batteries are correctly installed the unit
will beep once and the red LED light will flash.
After 20-30 seconds the green LED light will flash
indicating the unit is now operational.
INSTALL
LAST
INSTALL
SECOND
INSTALL
FIRST
Installation
Batteries Must Be Installe in Or er Shown Below:
Install
First
Install
Secon
Install
Last
3
2
INSTALL
THIRD
INSTALL
SECOND
INSTALL
FIRST
AA Battery
AA Battery
AA Battery
1.
2.
3.

10
Recommended Installation Locations
IIMPORTA T: This alarm must be mounted on a ceiling
or wall. It was not designed for use as a tabletop device.
Install only as directed.
Kidde recommends the installation of a Smoke/CO
Alarm in the following locations. For maximum
protection we suggest an alarm be installed on each
level of a multilevel home, every bedroom, hallways,
finished attics and basements. Put alarms at both ends
of bedroom, hallway or large room if it is more than
30’. (9.1m) long. f you have only one alarm, ensure it
is placed in the hallway outside of the main sleeping
area, or in the main bedroom. Verify the alarm can be
heard in all sleeping areas.
Locate an alarm in every room where someone sleeps
with the door closed. The closed door may prevent an
alarm located outside that room from waking the
sleeper. Smoke, heat and combustion products rise to
the ceiling and spread horizontally. Mounting the
alarm on the ceiling in the center of the room places it
closest to all points in the room.
Ceiling mounting is preferred in ordinary residential
construction. When mounting an alarm on the ceiling,
locate it at a minimum of 4” (10cm) from the side wall
(see Diagram A). f installing the alarm on the wall,
use an inside wall with the top edge of the alarm at a
minimum of 4” (10cm) and a maximum of 12” (30.5cm)
below the ceiling (see Diagram A).
Installation
L
!WAR I G - This product is intended for
use in ordinary indoor locations of family
living units. It is not designed to measure
compliance with commercial or
industrial standards.

11
Installation
DIAGRAM A
DIAGRAM B
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE FROM PEAK
CEILING
10 cm (4”)
MINIMUM
10 cm (4”)
MINIMUM
30.5 cm (12”)
MA IMUM
SIDE WALL
BEST
PLACEMENT
ACCEPTABLE
PLACEMENT
NEVER HERE
STAGNANT
AIR
10 cm (4”)
0.9 m (3’) 0.9 m (3’)
NOT IN
THIS AREA
ANYWHERE IN THIS
AREA
10 cm (4”)
NOT IN
THIS AREA
ANYWHERE IN THIS
AREA
0.9 m (3’)

12
Sloped Ceilings
The following information is from the National Fire
Protection Association and is listed in Fire Code 72.
nstall Smoke Alarms on sloped, peaked or cathedral
ceilings at, or within 3' (0.9m) of the highest point
(measured horizontally). Smoke alarms in rooms with
ceiling slopes greater than 1' to 8' (0.3m - 2.4 m)
horizontally should be located on the high side of the
room. Do not place the alarm in the peak of an “A”
frame type ceiling (see Diagram B)
Mobile Homes
Modern mobile homes have been designed and built
to be energy efficient. nstall Smoke/CO alarms as
recommended above. (Refer to Recommended
nstallation nstructions and Diagram A).
n older mobile homes that are not well insulated,
extreme heat or cold can be transferred from the
outside to the inside through poorly insulated walls
and roof. This may cause a thermal barrier, which can
prevent smoke from reaching an alarm mounted on
the ceiling. n such mobile homes install your
Smoke/CO Alarm on an inside wall with the top edge
of the alarm at a minimum of 4" (10cm) and a
maximum of 12" (30.5cm) below the ceiling. (See
Diagram A). f you are not sure about the insulation
in your mobile home, or if you notice that the outer
walls and ceiling are either hot or cold, install your
alarm on an inside wall only!
Installation

13
Locations To Avoid
WAR I G: Do not install in garages, kitchens, furnace
rooms or bathrooms! Install at least 5’ (1.5 m) away
from any fuel burning appliance.
Do not install within 3’ (.9m) of the following:
The door to a kitchen, or a bathroom that contains a
tub or shower, forced air supply ducts used for
heating or cooling, ceiling or whole house ventilating
fans, or other high air flow areas. Avoid excessively
dusty, dirty or greasy areas. Dust, grease or household
chemicals can contaminate the alarm’s sensors, causing
it to not operate properly.
Place the alarm where drapes or other objects will not
block the sensors. Smoke and CO must be able to
reach the sensors to accurately detect these conditions.
Do not install in peaks of vaulted ceilings, “A” frame
ceilings or gabled roofs. Keep out of damp and
humid areas. Do not place near a diaper pail.
Smoke alarms are not to be used with detector guards
unless the combination (alarm and guard) has been
evaluated and found suitable for that purpose.
Installation
When mounting
in a hallway, the
“A” line should
be parallel with
the hallway.
When wall mounting,
the “A” line should
be horizontal.
Install
Remove
Alignment Marks
AA

14
nstall at least 12" (30.5 cm) away from fluorescent lights
as electronic noise may cause nuisance alarms. Do not
place in direct sunlight and keep out of insect infested
areas. Extreme temperatures will effect the sensitivity of
the Smoke/CO Alarm. Do not install in areas where the
temperature may fall below 4.4°C (40°F) or rise above
37.8°C (100°F), such as garages and unfinished attics.
Do not install in areas where the relative humidity (RH)
is greater than 85%. Place away from doors and
windows that open to the outside.
Mounting
CAUTIO : Your Smoke/CO Alarm is sealed and
the cover is OT removable!
• To help identify the date to replace the unit, a label
has been affixed to the side of the alarm. Write the
“Replace by” date (7 years from power up) in
permanent marker on the label. See “Alarm
Replacement” section for additional details.
• The mounting plate must be removed from the
back of the alarm to install. To detach, twist the
mounting plate and the alarm in opposite directions.
Hold the mounting plate against the selected
installation location (wall or ceiling) and mark the
center of the holes with a pencil.
• To ensure aesthetic alignment of the alarm with the
hallway, or wall, the “A” line on the mounting plate
should be parallel with the hallway when ceiling
mounting, or horizontal when wall mounting. Drill a
hole through the pencil marks and use the enclosed
screws and anchors to secure. Use 3/16” drill for
anchor holes. Align the Smoke/CO Alarm with the
mounting plate and rotate clockwise (right) until the
unit is aligned. Screw and anchor accessories are
supplied.
Installation

15
Testing
The Test/Reset button has four purposes. t tests the
unit’s electronics, resets the alarm, activates the HUSH®
feature and activates the Peak Level memory (See
page 16-17).
CAUTIO : Due to the loudness (85 decibels) of the
alarm, always stand an arms length away from the unit
when testing.
• To test: Press and release the Test/Reset button and
4 seconds of alarm will sound, followed by the
message “Fire! Feu!”, then another four short beeps
and the message “Carbon Monoxide! Monoxyde de
carbone!”, followed by 4 additional short beeps.
• Reset: f the CO alarm pattern is sounding,
pressing the Test/Reset button will silence the
alarm. f the CO condition that caused the alert
continues, the alarm will reactivate. Reactivation
times depend on the amount of smoke or CO
present. See page 18.
• Peak Level Memory: f 8 chirps are made when
pushing the Test/Teset button, the unit has detected
a CO level of 100 PPM or greater.
• HUSH®:f the smoke/CO Alarm is sounding a
smoke alarm, pressing the test/reset button will
temporarily silence the alarm. f the smoke level
continues to build, the alarm will reactivate. See
Page 16.
The unit needs to be tested weekly! f at anytime it
does not perform as described, verify the three
batteries are installed correctly and that they don’t
need replacing. Clean dust and other buildup off the
unit. f it still doesn’t operate properly call the
Consumer Hotline at 1-800-880-6788.
Operation

16
Determining what type of alarm has sounded is easy
with the Kidde Combination Smoke/CO Alarm. The
voice message warning system will inform you of the
type of situation occurring. Refer to the Features
section for a detailed description of each alarm pattern.
HUSH®Control Feature
The HUSH®feature has the capability of temporarily
desensitizing the smoke alarm circuit for approximately
10 minutes. This feature is to be used only when a
known alarm condition, such as smoke from cooking,
activates the alarm. You can put your Smoke/CO Alarm
in HUSH®mode by pushing the test/reset button. f the
smoke is not too dense, the alarm will silence
immediately and the green LED will flash every 2
seconds for approximately 10 minutes. This indicates
that the smoke alarm is in a temporarily desensitized
condition. The unit will automatically reset after
approximately 10 minutes. When the unit returns to
normal operation after being in HUSH®mode the alarm
will sound if smoke is still present. The HUSH®feature
can be used repeatedly until the air has been cleared
of the condition causing the alarm. While the unit is in
HUSH®mode, pushing the test/reset button on the
alarm will also end the HUSH®period.
OTE: Dense smoke will override the HUSH®control
feature and sound a continuous alarm.
CAUTIO : Before using the alarm HUSH®feature,
identify the source of the smoke and be certain a safe
condition exists.
Operation

17
eak Level Memory
f the CO sensor has detected a CO level of 100 PPM
or higher since last reset, it will be recorded by the
Peak Level Memory function. To access the Peak Level
Memory press the test/reset button. f a reading of 100
PPM or higher has been recorded the unit will chirp 8
times. f you’ve been away from home this feature
allows you to check if there was a CO reading of 100,
or higher, during your absence. Pushing the test/reset
button resets the memory. t’s also reset when
batteries are removed.
f the tamper resist feature has been activated, refer to
tamper resist feature description on page 6 for removal
instructions. Remove the alarm from the mounting
plate by rotating the alarm in the direction of the
“OFF” arrow on the cover.
Seven years after initial power-up, this unit will “chirp”
twice every 30 seconds to indicate that it is time to
replace the alarm. A label has been provided on the
side of the alarm that has “Replace by” printed on it.
Write the replace by date on the label. The date written
on the label should be after seven (7) years of
cumulative power.
REPLACE IMMEDIATELY! IT WILL OT DETECT CO I
THIS CO DITIO .
Alarm Removal
Alarm Replacement
Operation

18
f any form of battery failure is detected the red LED
light will flash and the unit will “chirp” one time,
followed by the warning message “Low Battery! Pile
Faible!” This cycle will occur once every minute
for the first hour. After the first hour, the red LED
light will continue flashing accompanied by the chirp
only sound every 60 seconds. The voice message
“Low Battery! Pile Faible!” will sound once every
fifteen minutes during the chirp only cycle, and will
continue for at least seven days.
f the red LED light flashes along with a chirp every 30
seconds, and is not followed by the voice message
“Low Battery! Pile Faible!” as described above, your
unit has malfunctioned. Call our toll free Consumer
Hotline at 1-800-880-6788 for instructions on how to
return the unit.
Refer to page 9 for information on installing the
batteries. Replace batteries with one of the following
approved brands:
Duracell M 1500 or MX1500
Energizer E91
These batteries can be purchased at your local retailer.
WAR I G! Use only the batteries specified. Use of
different batteries may have a detrimental effect on the
Smoke/CO alarm. A good safety measure is to replace
the batteries twice a year, or at the same time you
change your clocks for daylight saving time.
Constant exposure to high or low humidity, or
temperature may reduce battery life.
Batter Replacement