If a carbon monoxide detector connected to your Qolsys system goes into alarm, treat the condition seriously.
These instructions apply generally to:
Carbon monoxide, often called CO, is a colorless and odorless gas. You cannot reliably determine whether carbon monoxide is present by sight or smell.
If the detector or Qolsys panel indicates a carbon monoxide alarm:
An active CO alarm should be treated as a potential emergency, even if nobody feels ill.
Do not dismiss a carbon monoxide alarm because:
Carbon monoxide cannot be reliably detected by human senses.
A CO alarm is different from a CO detector trouble condition.
An alarm indicates that the detector has identified a potential carbon monoxide condition.
A trouble condition may indicate a problem such as:
Check the Qolsys panel for the exact message.
If the message indicates an actual CO alarm, prioritize safety rather than troubleshooting.
After the situation has been determined safe, check the Qolsys panel for the exact detector name.
Examples may include:
Write down the exact detector name and message.
If the system is professionally monitored, a CO alarm may be transmitted to the monitoring center.
Follow the monitoring center's normal verification and emergency procedures.
Do not ignore monitoring-center calls, texts, or other communications related to a recent CO alarm.
If a CO alarm signal has already been transmitted, operating or silencing the Qolsys panel does not necessarily mean the transmitted event has been canceled.
Follow instructions from the monitoring center and emergency personnel.
If the Qolsys panel specifically reports a low battery for a wireless CO detector, the detector may require battery replacement.
The correct battery depends on the specific detector model.
Do not assume all carbon monoxide detectors use the same battery.
If you are unsure which battery is required, contact CommTech Systems.
If the detector is designed for customer battery replacement:
A trouble condition may take some time to clear after the detector communicates with the panel.
A carbon monoxide detector may report Tamper if it is:
Make sure the detector is correctly installed.
If the tamper remains, contact CommTech Systems.
If the Qolsys panel reports that a CO detector is malfunctioning or not responding, do not ignore the condition.
The detector may not be providing its intended protection.
Check for:
Contact CommTech Systems if the trouble remains.
First determine whether the sound is coming from:
Check the Qolsys panel for any trouble messages.
A periodic chirp can indicate a battery, device, or service condition depending on the detector.
Do not remove the detector or its battery simply to stop the sound.
Carbon monoxide detectors have a limited service life.
Depending on the specific detector, a chirp or trouble condition may indicate that the device has reached the end of its usable life and requires replacement.
If you suspect an end-of-life condition, contact CommTech Systems with the detector model and the exact message or sound pattern.
Repeated CO alarms should not be treated as a routine equipment problem until the possibility of actual carbon monoxide has been addressed.
Possible sources of carbon monoxide can involve fuel-burning equipment or vehicles.
Do not attempt to determine the safety of the property using the alarm system alone.
Have the property evaluated appropriately before treating repeated alarms as an equipment issue.
Do not remove a CO detector from its mounting location and leave it removed because it is causing trouble.
This can leave the property without the intended carbon monoxide protection.
Do not permanently remove the battery from a CO detector because it is chirping or reporting trouble.
Correct the underlying problem or contact CommTech Systems.
Do not cover a CO detector with:
Covering the detector can interfere with its ability to provide protection.
Never paint a carbon monoxide detector.
Paint can damage the device or interfere with its operation.
Never intentionally expose a detector to:
This is dangerous and is not an appropriate testing method.
If the detector needs testing, use the manufacturer's approved procedure or contact CommTech Systems.
If several carbon monoxide detectors begin reporting trouble at approximately the same time, contact CommTech Systems.
Provide the exact names and messages for all affected devices.
If multiple detectors are in alarm rather than trouble, treat the situation as a potential carbon monoxide emergency and move to a safe location.
A carbon monoxide detector is life-safety equipment.
Do not routinely bypass it simply to eliminate a trouble condition.
Contact CommTech Systems so the underlying problem can be corrected.
Do not delete a carbon monoxide detector from the Qolsys system because it is causing trouble.
This can remove intended life-safety protection.
Do not factory reset the Qolsys panel because of a carbon monoxide detector problem.
The affected detector or condition should be diagnosed directly.
After any potential emergency has been addressed, contact CommTech Systems if:
When requesting assistance, provide:
For your security, do not provide alarm codes, passwords, or other private account credentials through the support chatbot.