System Sensor The Limited Life of CO Detectors

December 2007 Paper and Codes Limited Life of Carbon Monoxide Detectors Confusion The Limited Life of Carbon Monoxide Detectors life safety industry newest and fastest growing segment is system carbon monoxide CO detection All system connected CO contain a limited life gas sensor Underwriters Laboratories UL the detector to supervise the gas sensor electrically so that when sensor reaches its end of life EOL the detector will send a trouble to the control panel Security dealers installers distributors and having jurisdiction AHJs in the life safety community are with UL requirements for re alarm devices however they may or overlook CO requirements As a result many system CO detectors being installed are not code compliant document de nes the limited life gas sensor of system connected detection devices and outlines UL requirements and the bene ts of the CO sensor Challenges requires manufacturers of system connected CO detectors to use the critical life safety supervision concepts as smoke detection devices in to prevent undetected device failures Some industry professionals are because system connected CO detectors have different replacement than system connected smoke detectors detectors must be replaced because the CO gas sensing element of a is considered as a limited life component by UL Smoke detectors do not have limited life components All system connected CO on the market have a limited life gas sensor For that reason it is that the gas sensor be supervised in order to avoid an undetected detector which is a fundamental function of all re alarm system and Central Station Service UL requires every system connected CO to provide a means to send the sensor EOL signal to the control it is important to communicate UL life safety supervision of CO sensors it is dif cult to reach every member of the life safety community As a result many CO detection devices installed are not code compliant Sensor Advanced Ideas Advanced Solutions Confusion The Limited Life of Carbon Monoxide Detectors Requirements for Supervising CO Sensors standards require that a system connected CO detector sends a trouble to the control panel when its CO sensor has reached its EOL Standard 2075 Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors states 17.1.1 requires detectors to be electrically supervised so that any the following conditions shall result in a trouble condition Removal or failure of sensor When sensor has reached its end of life EOL 2075 section 3.16 requires the detector signal to be annunciated at control panel Trouble signal is indicated at the control panel to which the detector connected ts of Supervised CO Sensors system connected CO detectors are connected to a control panel Usually are monitored 24 7 by a central station providing protection whether are sleeping out of the house alone or already experiencing the of CO including headaches nausea and dizziness carbon monoxide is odorless colorless and tasteless it cannot detected without a CO detector That is why the detector must remain at all times Failure is not an option The only way to assure a fully detector 24 7 is via the supervised sensor If a problem arises the sensor or it has reached its EOL the homeowner will be noti ed the detector the control panel and the central station to replace the be compliant with UL 2075 security alarm professionals should make their system connected CO detectors incorporate an integral trouble that sends a trouble signal to the control panel when the CO sensor reached its EOL Sensor Advanced Ideas Advanced Solutions Confusion The Limited Life of Carbon Monoxide Detectors information regarding the System Sensor carbon monoxide detector contact Sensor Ohio Avenue Charles Illinois 60174 1 800 sensor2 12 07 1808 Sensor Advanced Ideas Advanced Solutions