Smartwares FGA-1304 Carbon Monoxide Detector - Instruction 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-1304

• Description: Battery powered carbon monoxide alarm with an electrochemical sensor with a lifetime of 3 years under normal circumstances. This apparatus contains 3 x AA 1.5VDC LR6 Alkaline batteries with a lifetime of 3 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:

• Caution: The alarm is designed in order 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. The LCD display shows “End”. Mark the replacement date in your calendar or register for free at www.smartreminder.eu

LED Indicators (see image 1)

Image 1 Description: The CO detector unit with three indicator lights. 1. Alarm (Red LED), 2. Fault (Yellow LED), 3. Power (Green LED).

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 the toxic CO fumes that result from incomplete combustion, such as those emitted from appliances, furnaces, fireplaces and auto exhaust. For minimum protection:

• If your dwelling is on a single story, fit an alarm in the bedrooms or in the hallway of sleeping areas, as near to the sleeping areas as possible, ensuring it is audible.
• If your dwelling is multi-story, place at least one alarm on each floor.

For maximum protection, an alarm should be fitted in or near every room that contains a fuel-burning appliance.

Positioning Guidelines (see image 2):

Image 2 Description: Diagram showing recommended placement of the CO alarm on a wall. It indicates minimum distances: 30cm from the ceiling, 150cm from the appliance (source of CO), and 150cm above the floor.

• Carbon monoxide (CO) has a similar density to warm air and rises. 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 minimum 150cm from the possible source of CO.
• In rooms where people sleep or are present for a longer period (bedroom, living room), place the CO alarm at breathing height.

Areas to be avoided:

• Situations where the temperature may fall below 0°C or rise above 45°C.
• Any area where high levels of dusty, dirty 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.
• In areas with a lot of soot and dust which will block up the sensor.
• In too 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 the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when the battery has drained. Do not open or tamper with the alarm as this could cause malfunction and risk of electric shock.

Installing the CO Alarm

Before mounting your CO alarm, you must attach the rating label in your own language to the detector. For correct installation and use, it should be installed strictly according to this user manual or by qualified professional personnel. This CO alarm is powered by a battery and requires no additional wiring. Ensure the alarm can be heard from all sleeping areas or place several alarms.

Wall Mount Installation:

1. Having established the mounting location, ensure that there is no electrical wiring or pipe work in the area adjacent to the mounting surface.
2. Mark the mounting hole location, drill a 6mm diameter and 40mm depth hole in the marked position and insert the wall plug.
3. Before screwing the mounting plate to the wall, remove the safety pin (see image 4). Insert the screw provided until the screw head is 5mm from the wall. Screw on the mounting bracket, do not overtighten.
4. Remove the plastic sealing from the batteries and insert them into the battery compartment, ensuring correct polarity (+ or -). If correctly installed, the alarm will give a short beep and show “En” on the display, indicating power is connected and indicators are working.
5. 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).

Image 3 Description: Shows the back of the CO detector unit.

Image 4 Description: Shows the back of the mounting plate.

Image 5 Description: Illustrates attaching the alarm to the mounting plate, including the safety pin.

Operating Your CO Alarm

Normal Operation

When no carbon monoxide is present, the green “Power” indicator 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 in the sensor or circuit. The fault warning is given as: LED flashes 2 times with 2 beeps every 11 seconds. The LCD display shows “Err”. The CO alarm will not detect CO and you are not protected. Contact Smartwares for assistance.

Alarm Condition

When the unit detects dangerous levels of CO, the alarm warning is activated. The red LED flashes 15 times with 15 beeps in 4 seconds, rests for 3 seconds, then repeats. The alarm will not stop until CO concentration is lower than 40 ppm.

The alarm response time of this detector complies with EN 50291-1:2018.

Returning to Normal Operation

Place the detector in clean air; the alarm will terminate automatically in 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can quit the alarm condition by pressing the TEST button for 1 to 3 seconds and then releasing it.

Low Battery Signal / End of Life Warning

When the battery is empty, the alarm will beep 1 time every 45 seconds and the green “Power” LED will flash at the same time for 7 days. The battery in the apparatus needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

End of Life Indicator

When your CO alarm needs replacing, the unit will beep 2 times and the yellow “Fault” LED indicator will flash 2 times, and the display shows “END”. The apparatus must be replaced with a new CO alarm as soon as possible.

Low CO Concentration Warning

Prolonged exposure to low levels of CO can impair the health of vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, elderly or patients. When CO concentration is greater than 30 ppm for a duration of over 60 minutes, or when CO concentration is greater than 40 ppm for a duration of over 40 minutes, a low CO concentration warning is given once every 3-5 minutes. The alarm indicator flashes 4 times with beeps at a lower speed.

Testing Your CO Alarm

It is recommended that you test your CO alarm once a month to ensure the alarm is working correctly by pressing and holding the TEST button on the front of the alarm for 2 seconds. If the detector is working properly, the alarm will sound 5 beep tones and the red LED will flash at the same time. If there is a malfunction, the fault warning will show.

Alarm Silence

Alarm silence mode only works in an alarm condition. To activate silence mode, the CO concentration must be less than 200 ppm. Press and hold the TEST button for 1 to 3 seconds until you see the alarm indicator flash with no beep. Alarm silence condition is the same as alarm condition except the buzzer is silent temporarily. The alarm indicator still flashes. Alarm silence condition lasts a maximum of 10 minutes. Press the TEST button in alarm silence condition to recover the alarm condition immediately. When the alarm silence condition ends, it will recover the alarm condition.

Maintaining Your CO Alarm

Your alarm will alert you to potentially hazardous CO concentrations in your home when maintained properly. To maintain your alarm in proper working order, it is recommended that you:

• Test your alarm at least once a month.
• Clean your CO alarm regularly to prevent dust build-up. This can be done using a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment once per month. Clean gently around the front grilled section and sides.
• Never use cleaning solutions on your alarm. Simply wipe with a damp cloth.
• Do not paint the alarm.
• Do not block or cover the alarm’s vent hole with adhesive paste or other materials.

Attention: When scouring or stripping a wooden floor, painting, wallpapering, or using adhesive or aerosol, you should remove the carbon monoxide detector and keep it in a safe place to prevent damaging the sensor. High concentrations of the following substances can damage the sensor, often resulting in a false alarm: methane, propane, isopropyl butane, ethylene, ethanol, alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzene, toluene, ethyl acetate, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfate, and sulfur dioxide. Aerosol sprays, alcoholic products, paint, solvents, adhesives, hair spray, aftershave, perfume, and certain cleaning agents can also cause damage.

What to Do in the Event of an Alarm

In the event the CO alarm raises an alarm:

• Immediately move to fresh air outdoors or open all doors/windows to ventilate the area and allow the carbon monoxide to disperse.
• Where possible, turn off fuel-burning appliances.
• Evacuate the building and do not re-enter the premises nor move away from the open door/window until emergency services responders have arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your alarm remains in its normal condition.
• Seek medical help immediately for anyone suffering from symptoms like headache, drowsiness, or nausea.
• Do not use the appliances again until they have been checked by a qualified technician and the fault has been located and cleared.

This product is not designed for use in a recreational vehicle or mobile home. The alarm should be installed by a competent person. This apparatus is designed to protect individuals from the acute effects of carbon monoxide exposure. It will not fully safeguard individuals with specific medical conditions. If in doubt, consult a medical practitioner. The installation of this CO alarm should not be used as a substitute for proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, including appropriate ventilation and exhaust systems.

Technical Data

For indoor use only.

Please read manual before use, and store it carefully for future use and maintenance. For DoC go to: www.smartwares.eu/doc and follow instructions.

Status Indicators