George

Thanks for the clarifications on false alarms vs. nuisance alarms the other day.

1. What’s your opinion of the “CO in a can” test system Aprilaire is selling? I think it was “invented” by another company and Aprilaire has put their name on it.

I understand it has 400 ppm in it, and the idea is you squirt it into a shower cap-like temporary cover for 5 seconds. One of our customers in Chicago says over 40% of the old alarms they check don’t sound in 15 minutes, which they’ve been told means it fails the current UL requirement.

One question I have is what is the actual concentration in the shower cap after a five second squirt? Is this squirt enough to totally displace the air in the detector and around it, and really result in a 400+ ppm concentration? I’d have to think there’s some dilution … have you talked to the inventors etc?

2. I think this approach could be used to increase sales of the CO Expert monitor product. I tried it out at a class recently, your product hit HI almost instantly, and went into full alarm after a few minutes (can’t remember exactly how long .. 15?) A variation on their recommended technique may be a good way to sell against a cheaper alarm … put both in a Ziploc baggie and squirt in enough to get 30 to 50 ppm and show the customer (or potential HVAC dealer) that the monitor product reacts and the other doesn’t … any thought on this?

The American Sensor, "Bust the Capsule in the Bag" test, actually produces a level of C O between 2,000 & 5,000 PPM.

The S-Tech, "Plastic Shield, with a "Punk Stick" smoldering inside it, produces in Excess of 1,000 PPM.

Regarding the Proposed "Aprilaire" test you described, you are right to be concerned that the "Dilution" of the PPM of C O would be a "Factor", ... but maybe even MORE SO than you ever realized. Many of the C O Detector / Alarms on the Market are designed to "Activate" at "SET-POINTS"; therefore, if the C O in the plastic shower cap, or bag, decreases even 5 PPM, ... the ACTIVATION in 15 Minutes, WILL NOT OCCUR, until as long as 50 minutes. [The next "Lower " PPM Activation / Time Requirement]

Yes, I was contacted several years ago by the Manufacturer of the "Spray Can" ... "Tester" products. I helped them to purchase both a "Professional "C O TEST" Instrument, and some 400 PPM C O "TEST" gas from AIM Safety. I told them that: "While I do NOT doubt that the Product could be a "Commercial Success", ... it would NOT be an Honest, Accurate TEST, ... and that 400 PPM is a LOUSY level to use for an ACCURACY Test".

2. ANY, "Side by Side" C O Exposure "TEST", ...WILL SELL my Low Level Monitor ! ! !

Remember, presently, C O - Experts is the ONLY Residential C O Protection Product that Utilizes the IDR, [Instant Detection & Response], Capability of their Sensor / Unit. [Actually, it is NOT Really "Instant", since we take New Sensor "Readings" every 10 SECONDS] However, NO Other Residential C O Unit presently available will Display / React to the Presence of Carbon Monoxide within 10 Seconds of the Time when the C O Gas actually reaches the Sensor. Yes, for a VERY FAST Monitor Activation, 400 PPM "Test" Gas would be a SURE WINNER ... and it would SELL Monitors ! ! !

At Exhibits / "Shows" I often use a "Punk Stick" in an Ash Tray, Inside a Gallon size Zip Lock Bag, [a Cigarette will also work; however, you can Burn a hole in the bag pretty easily] [Actually transporting cylinders of "Test Gas" is a Problem now days.]

There can be a "Slightly Longer" than 10 Seconds delay because of the Time it takes to "Displace" the Clean Air that was Previously IN THE UNIT.

The C O - Experts Model 2002 Low Level C O "Health" Monitor is the Most Accurate, Reliable, Repeatable, Residential C O Protection available Today.