John From Detroit
Well-known member
From time to time here we hear about CO detectors that are chirpoing say once every 30 seconds or so, Usually these units are 5-7 years old. It has been stated, but usually with no support, that this is an "End of life" indicator.
Well,, Today I'm scanning http://www.mouseprint.org which is a web site dedicated to "The fine print" on packages and aggrements and such.
Here is part (The important part) of what they said:
Accordingly, a national safety standard for carbon monoxide detectors published by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that manufacturers build in a warning system to alert consumers that the unit is no longer functioning properly.
MOUSE PRINT
8.1 The unit (including the sensor) shall have a specified lifetime of at least 3 years from the date of manufacture, or from the date the unit is placed into service.
38.1.6 The unit shall indicate end-of-life, based on the manufacturer?s specified lifetime, with an end-of-life signal (see 3.11). This signal shall be triggered either by an internal timer or by a self-diagnostic test(s).
3.11 END-OF-LIFE SIGNAL ? An audible signal, differing from the alarm signal, intended to indicate that the device has reached the end of its useful life and should be replaced. ? The end-of-life signal shall repeat once every 30 ? 60 seconds ?10 percent. ? UL 2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
So there you have it folks, THE UL standards on CO detectors that describe that chirp. Yup, that's what it is all right, END OF LIFE. Currently that is on page 2 of moue print's site.
Well,, Today I'm scanning http://www.mouseprint.org which is a web site dedicated to "The fine print" on packages and aggrements and such.
Here is part (The important part) of what they said:
Accordingly, a national safety standard for carbon monoxide detectors published by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) requires that manufacturers build in a warning system to alert consumers that the unit is no longer functioning properly.
MOUSE PRINT
8.1 The unit (including the sensor) shall have a specified lifetime of at least 3 years from the date of manufacture, or from the date the unit is placed into service.
38.1.6 The unit shall indicate end-of-life, based on the manufacturer?s specified lifetime, with an end-of-life signal (see 3.11). This signal shall be triggered either by an internal timer or by a self-diagnostic test(s).
3.11 END-OF-LIFE SIGNAL ? An audible signal, differing from the alarm signal, intended to indicate that the device has reached the end of its useful life and should be replaced. ? The end-of-life signal shall repeat once every 30 ? 60 seconds ?10 percent. ? UL 2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
So there you have it folks, THE UL standards on CO detectors that describe that chirp. Yup, that's what it is all right, END OF LIFE. Currently that is on page 2 of moue print's site.
