SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Sept. 25, 2006) - SimplexGrinnell has added important new technology to its portfolio of industry-leading life-safety solutions - a CO gas detection kit that enables Simplex* fire alarm systems to detect excessive levels of poisonous carbon monoxide and warn building occupants of the condition.
The company's introduction of the CO gas detection solution comes amid growing legislative efforts to help protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. A total of 12 states have adopted carbon monoxide detection requirements, and city or county ordinances are in place in another five states.
While most of the legislation is directed at residential homes, in some instances carbon monoxide detection is applied in commercial properties. Over time, CO detection may come to be more widely used in college dormitories, hotels, high-rise condominiums and institutional occupancies such as hospitals, assisted living centers, detention facilities and day care centers.
"SimplexGrinnell sees carbon monoxide detection as an area of life-safety protection that will continue to evolve," says John Haynes, Director of Marketing at SimplexGrinnell. "We believe it's important to offer a system-connected solution that helps protect against carbon monoxide. By utilizing the advanced technology and infrastructure that drives our Simplex fire alarm systems, SimplexGrinnell is able to offer reliable, cost-effective CO detection solutions.
A Fully Supervised CO Solution The basic CO solution from SimplexGrinnell includes a UL-listed carbon monoxide detector and a UL-listed Simplex supervised Individual Addressable Module (IAM) that can be connected to a Simplex fire alarm panel. This combination of technologies enables a Simplex panel to monitor a CO detector for supervisory service alarm and trouble conditions. If a potentially harmful level of carbon monoxide is detected, an audible alarm is sounded and the detector's specific location is communicated to the fire panel to help facilitate a fast response. CO alarm conditions can also be reported to a central station monitoring center or via the Internet to offsite management personnel.
The Statistics on Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas, is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Undetected or unsuspected CO exposure can result in death. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 200 people die every year in the United States from CO produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges and water heaters. The CPSC also reports that: others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside homes or garages; still others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached garages; several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms each year for treatment of CO poisoning.
About SimplexGrinnell SimplexGrinnell, a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security, provides a comprehensive array of fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire suppression, integrated security, sound and healthcare communications systems and services. With half a million customers, 11,000 employees, 150 local offices, and over 200 years of history in the fire business, SimplexGrinnell is the leader in the fire and life-safety industry. For additional information, visit www.simplexgrinnell.com.
Copyright © 2006 SimplexGrinnell LP. All rights reserved. Tyco, SimplexGrinnell and Simplex are trademarks of Tyco International Services AG or its affiliates.
