Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Locations

Carbon monoxide detectors should be mounted in or near bedrooms and living areas and on each level of your home. Make sure you can hear the alarm from all sleeping areas.

When wall mounting, place the detector out of reach of children. Under no circumstances should children be allowed to handle the carbon monoxide detector.

Placing the alarm at eye level allows for optimum monitoring of the digital display.

If you install only one CO alarm in your home, install it near bedrooms, not in the basement or furnace room.

Locations to Avoid

Improper location can affect the sensitive electronic components in this alarm. To avoid causing damage to the unit, to provide optimum performance, and to prevent unnecessary nuisance alarms:

Do not install in kitchens, garages or furnace rooms that may expose the sensor to substances that could damage or contaminate it.
Do not install in areas where the temperature is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, such as crawl spaces, attics, porches and garages.
Do not install within five feet of heating or cooking appliances.
Do not install near vents, flues, chimneys or any forced/unforced air ventilation openings.
Do not install near ceiling fans, doors, windows or areas directly exposed to the weather.
Do not install in dead air spaces, such as peaks of vaulted ceilings or gabled roofs, where CO may not reach the sensor in time to provide early warning.
Do not install this unit near deep-cell large batteries. Large batteries have emissions that can cause the alarm to perform at less than optimum performance.
Do not obstruct the vents located on the alarm. Do not place the alarm where drapes, furniture or other objects block the flow of air to the vents.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Installed by OPFD

The Overland Park Fire Department installs battery-operated smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and specialized detectors for residents meeting certain eligibility requirements, such as income level, age or accessibility needs. If you have family members who can assist or the resources to hire someone to maintain your alarms, we encourage you to do so. If not, we’re happy to help with annual battery replacements in your smoke alarms. Please note that we do not service hard-wired smoke alarm systems.

Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Instruction Guide

Battery Installation + Replacement

To install or replace the batteries in this Kidde carbon monoxide detector, please perform the following steps.

Slide the bottom cover open to expose the battery compartment.
If replacing batteries, remove the old batteries and properly dispose of them as recommended by the battery manufacturer.
Install the new batteries. Note the polarity illustration in the battery compartment.
Close the bottom cover. Please note the bottom cover will not close if all three AA batteries are not installed.

Constant exposure to high or low humidity may reduce battery life. A good safety measure is to replace the battery at least once a year or at the same time as you change your clocks for daylight saving time.

After installing or changing the batteries, reinstall your alarm. Test your alarm by using the Test/Reset button and check that the green LED flashes once approximately every 30 seconds.

Approved Brands for Battery Replacement:

Duracell MN1500 or MX1500
Energizer E91
Gold Peak 15A
Golden Power GLR6A

Testing Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

Press the Test/Reset button. If the unit is operating properly, you will hear four quick beeps, followed by five seconds of silence, followed by four quick beeps. (For model KN-COPP-B-LPM with digital display: The display will show three “—” and then show “888”.) The red LED will flash along with the beeps. Within several seconds, the unit will return to monitor for carbon monoxide.

You do not need to press the Test button to take a carbon monoxide reading.

Maintenance

To keep your alarm in good working order, please follow these maintenance steps:

Test the alarm once a week by pressing the Test/Reset button.
Replace batteries every six months.
Vacuum the alarm cover once a month to remove accumulated dust.
Never use detergents or solvents to clean the alarm. Chemicals can permanently damage or temporarily contaminate the sensor.
Avoid spraying air fresheners, hair spray, paint,or other aerosols near the alarm.
Do not paint the unit. Paint will seal the vents and interfere with proper sensor operation.

Ten years after initial installation, this alarm will beep two times every 30 seconds to indicate that it is time to replace the alarm. Replace the alarm immediately. It will not detect carbon monoxide in this condition.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Indicator

When the alarm senses a dangerous level of CO, the unit will emit a loud alarm pattern.

The alarm pattern emits four quick beeps followed by five seconds of silence, repeating for as long as dangerous conditions exist.

The red alarm LED will flash the same pattern, and the digital display (where equipped) will indicate carbon monoxide concentrations in parts per million (PPM).

Labels

Two labels have been provided with important information on what to do in case of an alarm. Add the phone number of your emergency service provider in the space provided. Place one label next to the alarm after it is mounted and one label near a fresh air source, such as a door or window.

Mounting Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

For wall mounting:

Remove the back mounting plate from the alarm, place it in the desired location and mark the location of the two holes needed on the wall.
Insert the two screws provided until the screw heads are protruding approximately 1/8-inch from the wall. If mounting in a plasterboard or drywall, drill a 3/16-inch hole in the wall and use the plastic anchors provided.
Hook the carbon monoxide detector over the screws and onto the keyholes in the back mounting plate of the alarm. After the mounting plate is secured to the wall, slide the alarm down over the mounting plate until it snaps into place.
Your carbon monoxide detector may also be placed on a tabletop. If the alarm is not wall-mounted, be sure it is no more than three feet from the floor, where it is less likely to sustain damage from a fall.