K14670V1_Limitations 5800COInfo Sheet
User Manual: 5800COInfoSheet
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Limitations of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Manufacturer recommends that carbon monoxide (CO) detectors be located throughout a protected premise
following the recommendations of the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard
720, National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 720), manufacturer’s recommendations, and state and local codes.
While carbon monoxide detectors are designed to provide warning against carbon monoxide, they do not
guarantee warning or protection against carbon monoxide. Any alarm system with carbon monoxide
detectors is subject to compromise or failure to warn for a variety of reasons. For example:
• Molecules of carbon monoxide may not reach the
sensing chambers of the carbon monoxide
detector because:
- Barriers such as closed or partially closed
doors, walls, or chimneys may inhibit flow.
- Molecules of carbon monoxide may be blown
away from detectors by air outlets.
In general, carbon monoxide detectors on one
level of a structure cannot be expected to sense
carbon monoxide developing on another level.
• The amount of carbon monoxide present may be
insufficient to alarm carbon monoxide detectors.
Carbon Monoxide detectors are designed to
alarm at various levels of carbon monoxide
density, or ppm (parts per million). If such ppm
levels are not created by developing carbon
monoxide at the location of detectors, the
detectors will not go into alarm.
• Carbon monoxide detectors are subject to false
alarms and nuisance alarms. For example, a
carbon monoxide detector located too close to a
fuel burning appliance may go into nuisance
alarm during normal operation of the appliance.
If the location of a carbon monoxide detector
causes an abundance of false alarms or nuisance
alarms, do not disconnect the carbon monoxide
detector; call a professional to analyze the
situation and recommend a solution.
• Warning devices (including horns, sirens, bells,
and sounders on carbon monoxide detectors)
may not alert people or wake up sleepers who
are located on the other side of closed or
partially open doors. A warning device that
activates on a different floor or level of a
dwelling or structure is less likely to awaken or
alert people. Even persons who are awake may
not notice the warning if the alarm is muffled by
noise from a stereo, radio, air conditioner or
other appliance, or by passing traffic. Audible
warning devices may not alert the hearing-
impaired (strobes or other devices should be
provided to warn these people). Any warning
device may fail to alert people with a disability,
deep sleepers, people who have recently used
alcohol or drugs, or people on medication or
sleeping pills.
- Please note that:
i) Strobes can, under certain circumstances, cause
seizures in people with conditions such as
epilepsy.
ii) Carbon monoxide detectors may be installed as
part of a fire alarm system. Studies have shown
that certain people, even when they hear a fire
alarm signal, do not respond or comprehend the
meaning of the signal. It is the property owner’s
responsibility to conduct fire drills and other
training exercises to make people aware of fire
alarm signals and instruct on the proper reaction
to alarm signals.
iii) In rare instances, the sounding of a warning
device can cause temporary or permanent hearing
loss.
• Telephone lines needed to transmit alarm signals
from a premises to a central station may be out of
service or temporarily out of service. For added
protection against telephone line failure, backup
radio transmission systems are recommended.
• System components, though designed to last many
years, can fail at any time. As a precautionary
measure, it is recommended that carbon monoxide
detectors be checked, maintained, and replaced
per manufacturer’s recommendations.
• System components will not work without
electrical power. If system batteries are not
serviced or replaced regularly, they may not
provide battery backup when AC power fails.
• Environments with high air velocity or that are
dusty or dirty require more frequent maintenance.
In general, fire alarm systems with carbon monoxide
detectors will not work without power and will not
function properly unless they are maintained and
tested regularly.
Requirements and recommendations for proper use of
household carbon monoxide warning equipment:
Early carbon monoxide (CO) detection is best achieved by the installation and maintenance of carbon
monoxide detection equipment in all rooms and areas of the house or building in accordance with the
requirements and recommendations of the current edition of the National Fire Protection Association
Standard 720, National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 720), the manufacturer’s recommendations, and State and
local codes. For specific requirements, check with the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (ex. Fire Chief) for
carbon monoxide detectors.
Requirements and Recommendations include:
• A carbon monoxide alarm or detector should be
installed in any family living unit containing a fuel-
burning appliance or fireplace or having an attached
garage.
• A carbon monoxide alarm or detector should be
centrally located outside of each separate sleeping
area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
Where bedrooms are separated and the audibility of
the alarm or detector to occupants within the
bedroom area could be seriously impaired, more than
one unit could be needed. Each alarm or detector
should be located on the wall, ceiling, or other
location as specified in the installation instructions
that accompany the unit.
Typical System Installations per NFPA 720
LIVING
ROOM
BEDROOM BEDROOM
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
TO
BR
CLOSED
DOOR
BASEMENT
GARAGE
CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM
LOCATION FOR MULTI-LEVEL RESIDENCE
–
5800CO-005-V0
• In a household occupied by one or more hearing
impaired persons, each initiating device should cause
the operation of a visible alarm signal(s) in
accordance with NFPA 720, section 2-3.2.3. The
responsibility for compliance should be that of the
householder.
• Carbon monoxide detectors may be connected to a fire
alarm system. All fire alarm systems require
notification devices, including sirens, bells, horns,
and/or strobes. In residential applications, each
automatic alarm initiating device when activated
shall cause the operation of an alarm notification
device that shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms
over ambient or background noise levels (at least
15dB above noise) with all intervening doors closed.•
• To keep your carbon monoxide detectors in excellent
working order, ongoing maintenance is required per the
manufacturer’s recommendations and UL and NFPA
standards. At a minimum the requirements of Chapter 2,
Section 2-5 of NFPA 720 shall be followed. Maintenance
should be performed annually by authorized personnel
only.
• The most common cause of an alarm system not
functioning when a heightened level of carbon monoxide
occurs is inadequate maintenance. As such, the alarm
system should be tested weekly to make sure all sensors
and transmitters are working properly.
• Although designed for long life, fire alarm devices
including carbon monoxide detectors may fail at any
time. It is recommended that residential carbon
monoxide detectors shall be replaced per the
manufacturer's recommendations.
• Any carbon monoxide detector, fire alarm system or any
component of that system which fails shall be repaired or
replaced immediately.
Some Sources of Transient CO Conditions
1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning
appliances caused by:
i. Outdoor ambient conditions such as wind direction
and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind; heavy
air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended
periods between cycles).
ii. Negative pressure differential resulting from the use
of exhaust fans.
iii. Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning
appliances competing for limited internal air.
iv. Vent pipe connection vibrating loose from clothes
dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.
v. Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs
which amplify the above situations.
2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices
(range, oven, fireplace, etc.).
3. Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses
near the ground.
4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near
a home.
ÊK14670V18Š
K14670V1 4/08 Rev. A
2 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 100
P.O. Box 9040, Melville, NY 11747
Copyright © 2008 Honeywell International Inc.
www.honeywell.com/security
