October 27, 2011
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Carbon Monoxide [ CO] devices and monitoring are often included with both intrusion and fire alarm systems. One organization that has endeavored to set standards for how central stations should respond to CO device signals is CCSA [Central Station Alarm Association]. Those standards are approved by the American National Standard Institute. A central station following these guidelines would conform to accepted trade standards and likely avoid a claim of negligent response. If you are a central station you probably know about and follow the protocol. If you are a dealer / installer it's important for you to understand the response standard so you can communicate that to the subscriber.
The guideline can be found at http://www.csaaul.org/2008_ANSI_CSAA_CS_CO.pdf.
The guideline defines CO as follows:
"A.1.1. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon Monoxide is fundamentally different risk than either smoke or
fire. It is odorless; colorless; it is not a danger to loss of property but is a lethal danger to people and
pets. The public is not currently educated in evaluating the risk or the effects of CO. Unlike smoke or
fire our human senses are not able to assist in the evaluation process. CO is present at some level in
many homes that have fossil fuel cooking or heating or have attached garages. To further compound
the problem there is absolutely no ability to assess the actual risk from outside the premises and
without special measuring apparatus it is difficult to determine risk and cause from inside the premises.
CO is dangerous in different ways because a smaller of amount of CO exposure over a very long
period of time can be just as damaging as a larger exposure over a short period of time."
Here is the guideline for monitoring response:
"Carbon Monoxide Supervising Station Response Standard
1.1* Scope
This standard defines the response procedure for a supervising station to a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector
alarm transmitted to the supervising station. The standard applies to both residential and commercial
installations.
1.2 General
1.2.1. The installation, test, and maintenance of a Carbon Monoxide alarm system shall be in accordance with
NFPA 720 Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment.
1.2.2. The Supervising Station response procedure shall be in accordance with NFPA 720 Standard for the
Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment and this standard.
4.0* Supervising Station Procedure.
Unless otherwise required by the emergency response agency, upon receipt at the supervising station
of a CO alarm signal, with or without restoral signal, the supervising station shall first call the premises
and then proceed as shown below.
4.1.* If someone answers the telephone:
4.1.1. The occupants shall be instructed to leave the premises and move to fresh air.
4.1.2. The supervising station shall ask the following questions of the individual answering the
telephone:
a) Are all the occupants accounted for and are they out of the premises?
b) Is anyone nauseous, ill, have a headache or dizzy?
4.1.3. The supervising station shall instruct the occupants not to re-enter the premises until cleared by
the responding fire service.
4.1.4. The supervising station shall then immediately call the appropriate emergency response agency
to inform them of the alarm. The emergency response agency shall be informed that the occupants
answered the telephone, were told to leave the premises and of any reported symptoms.
4.2. If no one answers the telephone:
The supervising station shall then immediately call the appropriate emergency response agency and
report that a CO alarm was received from a particular premises and were unable to reach an occupant.
4.3.* In the case of 4.2, after dispatch, the supervising station shall contact the responsible party(s) in
accordance with the notification plan.
4.3.1 If an answering machine or voicemail is encountered:
4.3.1.1. The supervising station shall leave a message including the date, time and alarm event and instruct
that all occupants evacuate the building.
4.3.1.2. The supervising station shall then immediately call the appropriate emergency response agency and
report that a CO alarm was received from a particular premises and were unable to reach an occupant.
5.0* Premises Access.
All buildings with a CO system or detector monitored at a supervising station shall be equipped with a means of providing emergency access to all areas of the premises as required by the authority having jurisdiction."
Thanks to Mark Fischer [www.systemssupportspecialists.com] for bringing this to our attention.