First alert explosive gas and carbon monoxide alarm beeping

Advanced combination alarm senses carbon monoxide, propane and methane gases.

Model # GC01B Weight 9.6 oz Dimension 3.1"H x 5.7"L x 2.5"D Operating Voltage 120V AC with 9V Alkaline Battery Backup Temperature Range 40°F (4°C) to 100°F (38°C) Humidity Range 10% to 95% relative humidity (RH) Audio Alarm 85dB at 10 feet Test/Silence Electronically simulates both explosive gas and CO conditions, causing the unit to alarm or temporarily silence the alarm. Press and hold test/silence button Alarm Reset Automatic when smoke and/or CO clears CO/Gas Sensor Electrochemical/Thick film metal oxide Indicator Lights/Sounds

  • AC Power: Constant green light
  • DC Power: Intermittent green Light
  • Gas Alarm: Audio Alarm (continuous beeps), rapidly flashing green light
  • CO Alarm: Audio Alarm (4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps), rapidly flashing green light
  • Digital Display: Displays hazard (Gas or CO), battery level or CO levels in parts per million (PPM)
Listing Listed to UL1484 and 2034 Standards

PLUG-IN EXPLOSIVE GAS AND CARBON MONOXIDE

ALARM WITH BATTERY BACK-UP AND SILENCE FEATURE

120VAC

IMPORTANT! 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 end user.

Printed in Mexico

M08-0123-002 Q 01/08

© 2008 BRK Brands, Inc., a Jarden Corporation company (NYSE: JAH)

3901 Liberty Street Road, Aurora, IL 60504-8122

Consumer Affairs: (800) 323-9005

www.brkelectronics.com • www.firstalert.com

BASIC SAFETY INFORMATION

Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions alert you to important operating

instructions or to potentially hazardous situations. Pay special

attention to these items.

This combination Explosive Gas/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 Explosive Gas Alarm will only indicate the presence of explosive

gas that reaches the sensor. The Explosive Gas Alarm is not designed

to sense smoke, heat or flames.

Do not stand too close to the unit when the alarm is sounding. It is

loud to wake you in an emergency. Exposure to the horn at close

range may harm your hearing.

Do not paint over the unit. Paint may clog the openings to the sensing

chambers and prevent the unit from operating properly.

This unit must be powered by a 24-hour circuit. Be sure the circuit

cannot be turned off by a switch, dimmer, or ground fault circuit

interrupter. Failure to connect this unit to a 24-hour circuit may

prevent it from providing constant protection.

This Alarm must have AC or battery power to operate. If AC power

fails and the battery is dead or missing, the alarm cannot operate.

The Alarm will check for the presence of explosive gas at the sensor

less frequently when powered by the back-up battery. Explosive gas

could be present during the period between checks without going

into alarm, especially during a condition that results in a rapid

buildup of explosive gas.

Test the Alarm once a week. If the Alarm ever fails to test correctly,

have it replaced immediately! If the Alarm is not working properly, it

cannot alert you to a problem.

This combination Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Alarm is

intended for residential use and is not suitable for use in hazardous

locations as defined in the National Electrical Code.

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 that may

make them more sensitive to carbon monoxide may consider using

warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for carbon

monoxide concentrations under 30 ppm. For additional information on

carbon monoxide and your medical condition contact your physician.

USER'S MANUAL

~

60Hz, 0.25 A

LISTED TO

UL 1484

Model GCO1

AND

UL 2034

All rights reserved.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Basic Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

How Your Alarm Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Using the Silence Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Using the Peak CO Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Weekly Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Regular Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

What is CO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Symptoms of CO Poisoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

INSTALLATION

WHERE TO INSTALL THIS ALARM

For Gas Alarms, mounting depends on the type of explosive gas you intend

to detect.

Natural Gas (methane) is typically supplied through a main utility line

connected to your home. If you do not live in a rural area you are likely to

be a user of natural gas. Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting mainly of

Methane. Methane is much lighter than air and will rise rapidly in air. If you

are a user of natural gas, the Alarm should be mounted between 6 and 12

inches (152mm and 305 mm) away from the ceiling (using cord feature) to

ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a leak.

Propane is typically supplied to homes by delivery truck in liquid form and

stored near the home in propane tanks. Propane is used by homes in rural

areas that do not have natural gas service. Since propane is the most

commonly used Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), propane and LP-Gas are

often used synonymously. Unlike natural gas, propane is heavier than air

and will collect at lower levels. If you are a user of propane, the Alarm

should be mounted near the floor (using the direct plug-in feature) to

ensure the earliest opportunity to detect a leak.

Both propane and natural gas are colorless and odorless. For safety

reasons, an ordorant (Mercaptan) is added so that any leak can be

detected by smell. The common detection threshold for smelling the

gases is around 20% of the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL). This can vary

greatly depending on the individuals sense of smell and how long they

have been exposed to it. The LEL of each of these gases defines the

bottom range of flammability for the gas. Your Alarm is calibrated to

sound before 25% of the LEL of either gas detected.

Therefore, it is possible that you may smell gas before the Alarm is

activated. If you are not sure which gas your home uses, contact

your utility company.

For CO Alarms, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends

that a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping

area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. For added protection, install

additional CO Alarms in each separate bedroom, and on every level of your

home.

In general, install combination Explosive Gas and Carbon Monoxide

Alarms:

WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THE ALARM FROM ALL SLEEPING AREAS

In or near bedrooms and living areas or wherever you suspect a gas or

CO exposure is likely.

On each level of a multi-level home.

Improper location can affect the sensitive electronic components in this Alarm.

Please see "Where this Alarm Should Not Be Installed".

Recommended Placement

DINING ROOM

LIVING ROOM

1

KITCHEN

BEDROOM BEDROOM

BEDROOM

Continued...

How do I get my First Alert carbon monoxide detector to stop beeping?

On First Alert carbon monoxide detectors, check to see if the battery light is yellow or green. If the alarm is chirping and the light is yellow, it means the battery is low. The way to get a carbon monoxide alarm to stop chirping is to replace the battery.

What does 3 beeps mean on a First Alert carbon monoxide detector?

2. Three beeps, at 15-minute intervals = MALFUNCTION. The unit is malfunctioning. Contact the manufacturer or the retailer where you purchased the alarm.

Why is my carbon monoxide detector beeping every 30 seconds?

While it's important to call 9-1-1 if your CO alarm is sounding continuously without stopping, a CO alarm that chirps every 30 seconds is not an emergency. It probably means your CO alarm has reached its end of life and should be replaced. CO alarms have a life expectancy of around seven years.

Why is my carbon monoxide detector beeping every 40 seconds?

Low Battery – The alarm will chirp every 30-40 seconds (every 60 seconds for some alarms) for a minimum of seven days. Replace the battery when this occurs, then test your alarm.