Distributors will see a rise in demand for carbon-monoxide detectors as legislation for the products and consumer awareness increase.

More than 1,000 people a year are killed by accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and 10,000 more are treated in emergency rooms, according to reports by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Given these statistics, along with media coverage of deaths related to CO, legislative efforts to require CO detectors are increasing. Currently, West Virginia and New Jersey require the installation of CO alarms, and some cities have laws for these products within their borders. Seven U.S. states have pending legislation requiring CO alarms in new residential buildings.

CO is an odorless, colorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels. But as innocuous as it sounds, exposure to CO reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Possible sources of this potential killer include gas appliances such as stoves, water heaters and furnaces. Fatal levels of CO can build from car exhaust or charcoal grills used in improperly vented areas or even blocked chimneys. The more airtight, energy-efficient homes being built today also contribute to the rising incidences of CO-related injuries and fatalities.

Because some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of common illnesses such as the flu, CO poisoning can be easily misdiagnosed. Symptoms of high-level or long-term exposure include vomiting, loss of consciousness and coma. Too much CO exposure can be fatal, but even low-level exposure to the gas can produce debilitating side effects such as permanent damage to the brain and other body organs. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are most at risk for CO poisoning.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Safety Council stress that alarms are not a replacement for the proper use and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances. However, CO alarms can provide an early warning of the harmful gas.

These CO alarm types are currently available:

* 120V hard-wired alarms provide permanent installation into a home's main power. Where legislated, hard-wired CO alarms typically are required in new construction or remodeling jobs. This alarm can be interconnected with other CO alarms for the best coverage and alerting capacity. The 120V hard-wired alarm with a battery backup offers the best protection since it will continue to operate during power failures.

* 120V Plug-in alarms are easy to install in existing construction and effective for upselling.

* Battery-operated alarms provide placement flexibility with no reliance on junction boxes or outlets.

You may see more sales opportunities for these products because of more focus on fatalities from CO poisoning; more legislative efforts in cities and states around North America to help prevent CO-related tragedies; and the Consumer Products Safety Commission's recommendations to use these devices in all households.

If you are considering taking on a CO-alarm product line, the devices should carry an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) listing. UL Standard 2034 for CO alarms recently revised its standard for units manufactured after Oct. 1, 1998. The following changes were incorporated:

A single-alarm level means the alarm can only sound at the UL-specified danger levels. No multi-level or warning alarms are allowed.

Revised alarm points increase accuracy and decrease false alarms.

Revised humidity and temperature requirements enable CO alarms to function in a wider variety of conditions.

Inclusion of labels with the unit offers instructions on what to do if the alarm activates.

Together with these UL revisions, new technology has made CO alarms more accurate, easier to use and able to function better in a wider variety of environments. Today, CO alarms use one of the following three types of sensors to detect CO:

Biomimetic alarms use a sensor that mimics the body's reaction to CO. The sensor becomes darker as it's exposed to CO levels.

Semi-conductor alarms utilize a sensor that changes resistance proportionally to the CO level in the air.

Electrochemical alarms allow CO to mix with platinum-wire electrodes and an electrolyte solution to generate a voltage that's proportional to CO levels. When deciding to stock and sell CO alarms, make sure CO alarms are a trusted brand or made by a reputable manufacturer; listed by UL; easily self-tested and reset; and covered by a long-term warranty.

The progressive direction that CO alarm legislation is taking, and increased consumer awareness, will impact all electrical distributors. These legislative efforts are causing more contractors to expect their suppliers to offer CO alarms that fulfill legislated requirements. Electrical distributors can be prepared to meet this growing demand by understanding the legislation and stocking high-quality CO alarms from reputable manufacturers.

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