Carbon monoxide alarms requirements and maintenance do not require any special skills from you. However, just like the smoke alarm maintenance, it’s something that should become a routine for you. Those few minutes dedicated to alarm maintenance and testing might be a difference between life and death.
If your house has been equipped with a security or burglar alarm, you can contact your service provider and let them know about testing procedures. CO alarms or detectors might be a part of the system. While testing the alarm, you may want to cover the siren opening with your fingers. A correctly working carbon monoxide alarm will be very loud.
Test your carbon monoxide alarm once a week by pressing the test or reset button. Depending on the manufacturer and design, the response of the alarm may be different. The following are carbon monoxide alarms maintenance requirements:
1. Start from examining the alarm location, it's very important. If the alarm has been installed inappropriately, in a wrong spot, it might not respond to an elevated carbon monoxide level as soon as it supposed to, or not respond at all.
2. Check the manufacturer date on your carbon monoxide alarm and contact its manufacturer through their website or social media handles to determine the life span of this particular model.
3. Once a month vacuum your alarm(s) cover to remove accumulated dust. The soft brush attachment from your vacuum cleaner is the best for this purpose. If your carbon monoxide alarm is a plug-in or hard-wired type - unplug the alarm from the power supply before vacuuming.
4. Always instruct children not to touch, disconnect or interfere with the carbon monoxide alarm. Educate children about the dangers of CO poisoning.
5. Never make use of any solvents or detergents for alarm cleaning purposes. Chemicals can cause damage to this life-saving device.
6. Never make use of spray paint, air fresheners, hair spray, or any other aerosols in the alarm area.
7. Do not paint the carbon monoxide alarm enclosure. Paint will seal the screens or vents protecting the sensor and interfere with its proper operation.
Basic Requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms Requirements
With the use of this device, there are some rules and regulations you must stick with. They include the followings: do not make use of rechargeable batteries in carbon monoxide alarms. Only alkaline type batteries should be used. Replace the batteries as soon as the unit starts chirping an audible low battery alarm, and blinking warning lights. Don’t just remove the old batteries, you can replace them as soon as possible.
High levels of the substances that are listed below can affect the carbon monoxide alarm sensor. Their presence could result in temporary readings on the digital display that are not carbon monoxide readings:
Propane, Methane, ethylene, iso-butane, alcohol, ethanol, benzene, isopropanol, ethyl acetate, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, most aerosol sprays, sulfur dioxides, paints, alcohol-based products, solvents, thinners, hair sprays, adhesives, perfumes, aftershaves, auto exhaust, and other cleaning agents.
For more information see Carbon Monoxide Alarm Maintenance | CO Alarm Testing .... https://www.checkthishouse.com/5540/carbon-monoxide-alarm-maintenance-co-alarm-testing.html
