Smartwares FGA-1305 Carbon Monoxide Detector
User Manual
General Information
Thank you for purchasing this Smartwares carbon monoxide alarm! Please read these instructions carefully before using the carbon monoxide alarm. Retain this information in a safe and easily accessible place for future use and maintenance. If you have any questions or if you are looking for additional information about your carbon monoxide alarm or prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning, please visit our website www.smartwares.eu.
Make/model number: FGA-1305
- Description: Battery powered carbon monoxide alarm with an electrochemical sensor with a lifetime of 5 years under normal circumstances. This apparatus contains 3 x AA 1.5VDC LR6 Alkaline batteries with a lifetime of 5 years and is supplied with a wall plug and screw.
- Function: Carbon monoxide alarm device intended to alert persons in case of carbon monoxide to give them time to react properly to the danger.
- Scope of application: Carbon monoxide alarm for buildings with residential function.
Important Safety Information
- Caution: The alarm is designed to detect carbon monoxide; it cannot prevent a leakage!
- Caution: The carbon monoxide alarm may not be painted or covered because this may cause loss of functionality.
- Warning: The carbon monoxide alarm must be replaced no later than 10 years after production date. When the detector has been working for ten years, the product cannot be used anymore. Mark the replacement date in your calendar or register for free at www.smartreminder.eu
LED Indicators
Refer to Image 1 for LED indicator locations.
- 1. Alarm: Indicates an alarm condition.
- 2. Fault: Indicates a fault in the sensor or circuit.
- 3. Power: Indicates the unit is powered and functional.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an insidious poison that is released when fuels are burnt. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas and therefore very difficult to detect with the human senses. CO kills hundreds of people each year and injures many more. It binds to the hemoglobin in the blood and reduces the amount of oxygen being circulated in the body. In high concentrations, CO can kill in minutes.
CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, heating oil, paraffin, petrol, natural gas, propane, butane etc. Examples of CO sources include:
- Running engine in garage
- Oil and Gas furnaces
- Wood stoves
- Barbecues
- Wood and gas fireplaces
- Gas appliances
- Portable generators
- Gas or kerosene heaters
- Clogged chimneys
- Heating boiler
Symptoms of CO Poisoning
The following symptoms may be related to CO poisoning (ppm = parts per million):
- 35 ppm: Maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure for healthy adults in any 8-hour period.
- 200 ppm: Slight headaches, fatigue, nausea after 2-3 hours.
- 400 ppm: Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life-threatening after 3 hours.
- 800 ppm: Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hours. Death within 3 hours.
- 1600 ppm: Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
- 6400 ppm: Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes.
Warning: The apparatus may not prevent the chronic effects of CO exposure or protect individuals who are at specific risk; always pay attention to the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Locating and Positioning the CO Alarm
The Carbon Monoxide alarm is designed to detect toxic CO fumes resulting from incomplete combustion, such as those emitted from appliances, furnaces, fireplaces, and auto exhaust.
Minimum Protection:
- Single-story dwellings: Fit an alarm in the bedrooms or in the hallway of sleeping areas, as near to sleeping areas as possible, ensuring it is audible.
- Multi-story dwellings: Place at least one alarm on each floor.
Maximum Protection:
Install an alarm in or near every room containing a fuel-burning appliance (e.g., gas fires, central heating boilers, room heaters, water heaters, cookers, grills).
Positioning Guidelines (See Image 2):
Carbon monoxide (CO) has a similar density to warm air. For effective detection:
- Near fuel-burning appliances: Place the CO alarm on a wall, 30-80 cm below the ceiling but above the top of any doors or windows, at a horizontal distance of at least 150 cm from the potential CO source.
- In sleeping/living areas: Place the CO alarm at breathing height.
- Ceiling mounting: This is also an optional placement.
Areas to Avoid:
- Areas where temperature may fall below 0°C or rise above 45°C.
- Areas where high levels of dust, dirt, or greasy emissions could contaminate or clog the sensor.
- Behind drapes or furniture.
- In the path of air discharged from a furnace, air conditioning vent, or ceiling fan.
- Outside the building.
- Directly above a sink or cooker.
- Areas with significant soot and dust that could block the sensor.
- Very damp areas.
Caution: This carbon monoxide alarm is designed for indoor use only. Do not expose to rain or moisture. It will not protect against CO poisoning when the battery is drained. Do not open or tamper with the alarm.
Installing the CO Alarm
Ensure the rating label is attached in your language to the detector before mounting.
Installation should be performed according to this manual or by qualified personnel.
Wall Mount Installation:
- Determine the mounting location and ensure there are no electrical wiring or pipework in the area.
- Mark the mounting hole location. Drill a ø 6mm hole, 40mm deep, and insert the wall plug.
- Remove the safety pin (See Image 4). Insert the provided screw until the head is 5mm from the wall. Screw on the mounting bracket, but do not overtighten.
- Remove the plastic sealing from the batteries and insert them into the battery compartment, observing polarity markings (+ or -). A short beep indicates correct installation and that the unit is powered and functional.
- Assemble the alarm onto the mounting plate (See Image 5). Insert the safety pin to secure the alarm to the mounting plate (See Image 5.1 for location).
Operating Your CO Alarm
- Normal Operation: The green "Power" LED flashes every 45 seconds, indicating the alarm is powered and functional.
- Fault Indicator: The fault indicator flashes twice with beeps when there is a fault. A fault warning is given at least once every minute until the fault is eliminated. The CO alarm will not detect CO, and you are not protected. Contact Smartwares for assistance.
- Alarm Condition: When dangerous levels of CO are detected, the red LED flashes 15 times with 15 beeps in 4 seconds, rests for 3 seconds, and repeats. The alarm stops when CO concentration drops below 40 ppm.
Alarm Response Times:
CO-LEVEL (PPM) | RESPONSE TIME (MIN) |
---|---|
27 +/- 3 ppm | > 120 min. |
55 +/- 5 ppm | 60-90 min. |
110 +/- 10 ppm | 10-40 min. |
330 +/- 30 ppm | < 3 min. |
The alarm response time complies with EN 50291-1:2018.
- Returning to Normal Operation: Place the detector in clean air; the alarm will terminate automatically in 6 minutes, or press and release the TEST button for 1-3 seconds.
- Low Battery Signal / End of Life Warning: The alarm beeps once every 45 seconds, and the green "Power" LED flashes for 7 days. Replace batteries immediately.
- End of Life: The unit beeps twice, and the yellow "Fault" LED flashes twice. The apparatus must be replaced with a new CO alarm as soon as possible.
- Low CO Concentration Warning: Prolonged exposure to low CO levels can impair health. If CO concentration is >30 ppm for over 60 minutes, or >40 ppm for over 40 minutes, a warning is given every 3-5 minutes (alarm indicator flashes 4 times with slower beeps).
Testing Your CO Alarm
Test your CO alarm at least once a month by pressing and holding the TEST button for 2 seconds. If working correctly, the alarm will sound 5 beeps and the red LED will flash. Malfunctions will trigger the fault warning.
Alarm Silence
Alarm silence mode works only in an alarm condition when CO concentration is below 200 ppm. Press and hold the TEST button for 1-3 seconds until the alarm indicator flashes without beeping. The buzzer is silenced temporarily for a maximum of 10 minutes. Pressing TEST again will restore the alarm condition.
Maintaining Your CO Alarm
Proper maintenance ensures the alarm functions correctly.
- Test your alarm at least once a month.
- Clean the alarm regularly (once a month) using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Clean gently around the front grille and sides.
- Never use cleaning solutions; wipe with a damp cloth.
- Do not paint the alarm.
- Do not block or cover the vent holes.
Attention: Remove the detector during activities like sanding, painting, or using aerosols, as high concentrations of certain substances (methane, propane, ethanol, solvents, aerosols, etc.) can damage the sensor and cause false alarms.
What to Do in the Event of an Alarm
- Immediately move to fresh air outdoors or open all doors/windows to ventilate the area and allow CO to disperse.
- Turn off fuel-burning appliances if possible.
- Evacuate the building. Do not re-enter until emergency services have arrived, the premises are aired out, and the alarm is in its normal condition.
- Seek immediate medical help for anyone experiencing symptoms like headache, drowsiness, or nausea.
- Do not use appliances again until checked by a qualified technician and the fault is cleared.
This product is not designed for use in recreational vehicles or mobile homes. Consult a medical practitioner if in doubt. Proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, including ventilation and exhaust systems, remain essential.
Technical Data
Power Source | DC 4.5V Alkaline battery type: 3 x LR6 1.5VDC |
Sensor Type | Electrochemical sensor |
Type of Gas sensed | Carbon Monoxide |
Sensor Lifetime | 10 Years |
Alarm activation | 27 +/- 3 ppm (after 120 min.) 55 +/- 5 ppm (Between 60-90 min.) 110 +/- 10 ppm (Between 10-40 min.) 330 +/- 30 ppm (Within 3 minutes) |
Operation Temperature | 0°C~45°C (storage: -20°C~50°C ± 2°C) |
Ambient Humidity | 0%~70% RH (storage: 0%~90% RH) |
Horn Level | >85 Decibels at 3 meters |
Battery Life | 5 years |
For indoor use only.
For Declaration of Conformity (DoC), visit: www.smartwares.eu/doc and follow instructions.
LED Status and Sound Indicators
Condition | LED | Sound |
---|---|---|
Normal operation | Green LED flashes every 45 seconds | None |
Testing | Red LED flashes rapidly | 5 beeps |
Alarm | Red LED flashes 15 times in 4 seconds. Rest 3 seconds, then repeats. | 15 beeps in 4 seconds, rest 3 seconds, then repeats. |
Malfunction | Yellow LED flashes 2 times every 11 seconds | 2 beeps every 11 seconds |
Low battery signal | Yellow LED flashes every 45 seconds | 1 beep every 45 seconds |
End of life | Yellow LED flashes 2 times, END is shown on display | 2 beeps every 60 seconds |