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INFO
The Pocket CO is the world's smallest and most innovative alarmed CO detector. It is designed to be a simple and effective way to determine, measure, or record Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels in any environment.
The Pocket CO is a stand-alone unit and because of its tiny size, it can be carried on a key ring, clipped to a pocket, attached to an airplane's instrument panel, a vehicle dashboard or piece of equipment. The Pocket CO is designed specifically to be affordable and easy to use by pilots, health professionals and educated homeowners. The device can be used in CO detection applications such as for mobile measurements in airplanes, boats, cars and anywhere else carbon monoxide exposure is possible.
Easy Operation
One push of the button performs self test, displays temperature and shows the ambient CO level in ppm units. If safety levels are exceeded, an audible beep begins at 25 ppm, with repetition frequency increasing at 35 ppm and again as the level reaches 200 ppm (the OSHA 5 min. ceiling value). Shuts off after 5 minutes.
Two pushes of the button performs self test, displays temperature and records and displays CO level in ppm units for up to an eight-hour period. If safety levels are exceeded, an audible beep begins at 25 ppm, with repetition frequency increasing at 35 ppm and again as the level reaches 200 ppm (the OSHA 5 min. ceiling value). It Shuts off after 8 hours of collection unless stopped by pushing the button.
Readings are taken over a five minute period by one push of the button, or over an eight-hour period with a double push.
TECH SPECS
Display Readings Indicate:
- Total exposure (ppm-hrs)
- Time weighted average TWA (ppm)
- Max Concentration (ppm)
- Time of occurrence of max concentration (hrs/min from start) length of collection
Specifications
Size: |
2.4 x.1.4 x.0.6 inches |
Weight: |
Less than 1 ounce, 20 grams |
Range: |
0-500 ppm CO |
Accuracy: |
+/- 10% of reading at standard conditions |
Response time: |
<90 seconds to 90% |
Warm-up time: |
2 seconds |
Operating life: |
1-year minimum |
Operating temperature: |
32-105 F, 0-40 C displayed; readings automatically compensated |
Pressure effect: |
Reading decreases with decreasing pressure, down to 70% at 10,000 ft. |
Humidity limits: |
15-85% RH, non-condensing |
Alarms
(Visual and audio): |
CO above the 25 ppm OSHA TWA and >125ppm
and >400 ppm ceiling value.
Temperature above 122 F (HOT),
Temperature below 32 F (COLD)
Low Battery "BATT". Dead Battery "----"
Not calibrated/tamper "CAL" |
Sampling mode: |
Gaseous diffusion |
Interferences: |
None significant, except hydrogen |
Self-Check: |
Battery, alarm, display, temperature, tamper |
Service life: |
Two year (warranted). Can be extended by replacement of battery and sensor. Pocket CO is warranted to operate on average 8 hours per day and 5 days per week for one year with no replacement of sensor or battery. Pocket CO will last longer with reduced usage. For example if you use it twice a week for a few hours in flight it may last 2 -3 years. |
Maintenance: |
For most applications, 90% accuracy is acceptable and no maintenance is required. On startup, if the self check fails or low battery appears on the display, factory maintenance is required |
OTHER INFO and FEEDBACK
Low levels of CO, typically less than 10 ppm, are not considered especially hazardous, but they do indicate a source of CO. Sustained levels above 25 ppm for 1.5 hours, and exposure to more than 70 ppm CO should be avoided. Seek clean air, ventilation, or any other means to eliminate exposure.
Ordinary UL-approved residential CO detectors -- the kind you find at Wal-Mart or Home Depot -- simply won't do for such critical applications. And those chemical spot detectors sold for auto and aircraft use are basically useless. Here's why.
To be UL-approved for residential use in the United States, CO detectors are not permitted to be very sensitive. UL requires that they must not display CO levels less than 30 parts per million (PPM). Furthermore, they must not alarm unless exposed to 70 PPM for four hours, 150 PPM for 35 minutes, or 400 PPM for 15 minutes! These requirements were imposed by UL at the request of gas utilities and firefighters to minimize the number of unnecessary emergency 911 call-outs from homeowners. (Yet most fire departments require that firefighters put on their oxygen masks if CO levels are 35 PPM or higher ... go figure!)
For use in aircraft, boats, RVs and other critical environments, however, we believe that a far more sensitive detector is essential -- one capable of displaying and alarming at far lower concentrations of CO. After all, you're not simply concerned about protecting the health of the occupants, but also about preventing cognitive impairment of the pilot or driver. In addition, low levels of CO can be extremely hazardous in aircraft because the effects of CO and of altitude (hypoxia) are cumulative.
How much CO is too much?
It depends on whom you ask:
- The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) calls for a health hazard alert when the outdoor concentration of CO rises above 9 PPM for eight hours, or above 35 PPM for one hour.
- The OSHA (U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration) originally established a maximum safe limit for exposure to CO in the workplace of 35 PPM, then later raised it to 50 PPM under pressure from industry.
- The FAA now requires no more than 50 PPM during certification testing of new general aviation aircraft (FAR Part 23), but older aircraft were certified with no CO testing, and the FAA requires no regular re-testing of aircraft during maintenance (although we think it certainly should).
- Underwriter's Laboratories specifies that residential CO detectors must not alarm below 70 PPM, and then only after that concentration has been detected for four consecutive hours.
- Yet most fire departments require that firefighters put on their oxygen masks if CO levels are 35 PPM or higher.
- Many doctors believe that long-term exposure to CO levels as low as 10 PPM can lead to cognitive and physical problems, particularly for infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
We consider CO concentrations of 10 PPM or more in an airplane cockpit to be significant, and concentrations of 35 PPM or more to be grounds for declaring an emergency, going on supplemental oxygen (if available), and making an immediate precautionary landing.
By the way, those el-cheapo chemical spot detectors sold for aviation and motor vehicle use are basically worthless -- they require prolonged exposure to 100 PPM or more before they darken to provide a warning, and by the time that occurs, you might well feel too ill to notice. The UL-2034-compliant residential CO detectors you'll find at Wal-Mart and Home Depot are a little better, but not much. |
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