Carbon Monoxide Monitoring for EMS Units – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and concepts from the General Order on Carbon Monoxide Monitoring for EMS Units and the Honeywell BW Clip detector.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic gas that binds to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport and causing tissue hypoxia.

Honeywell BW “Two-Year” Single-Gas Detector

A maintenance-free, sealed-battery device issued to EMS units for continuous monitoring of carbon monoxide levels for up to two years.

BW Clip

Honeywell’s maintenance-free single-gas detector line (H₂S, CO, O₂, SO₂) that operates 24–36 months without calibration or battery replacement.

EMS Unit (Radio Identifier)

The specific radio call sign assigned to the crew responding on a piece of apparatus.

Tour of Duty

The period during which a crew is assigned to and responsible for apparatus readiness.

Vehicle (M-Number)

The individual piece of apparatus to which an M number is assigned in the fleet.

Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Radio Strap

Standard location where the CO detector must be affixed on all EMS units.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen; targeted by CO, leading to hypoxia.

Hypoxia

Deficiency of oxygen reaching tissues, a primary danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mild CO Exposure Symptoms

Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision.

Moderate CO Exposure Symptoms

Confusion, syncope, chest pain, tachycardia, weakness.

Severe CO Exposure Symptoms

Hypotension, palpitations, respiratory arrest, pulmonary edema, seizures, coma, cardiac arrest.

Zero the Sensor

Procedure to reset the detector baseline in clean air when prompted by the device.

Bump Test

Functional test exposing the detector to a known gas concentration to verify alarm activation.

Operating Life Countdown

Display showing remaining months, days, or hours before the detector’s end of service.

Non-Compliance Symbol

Icon that appears when tests fail, service life ≤24 h, or certain notifications are triggered.

Low Alarm

Single beep/flash/vibration per second indicating gas concentration has exceeded the low setpoint (e.g., 10 ppm CO default).

High Alarm

Double beep/flash/vibration per second indicating gas concentration has exceeded the high setpoint (e.g., 35 ppm CO default).

Over-Limit (OL) Alarm

Condition displayed when gas concentration is beyond the sensor’s measurable range.

Diagnostic Fail-Safe

Automatic shutdown and alarm sequence when internal self-test fails.

Peak Reading

Highest gas exposure recorded within the past 24 h, viewable via pushbutton scroll.

Hibernation Feature

Option for 2-year H₂S/CO models to pause operation up to 12 months, extending calendar life.

Hibernation Case

Accessory enclosure that puts the BW Clip into hibernation mode when closed around the detector.

Surecell Sensor Design

Dual-reservoir technology in BW Clip sensors that improves response time and longevity.

Reflex Technology

Automated self-test routine that checks sensor, battery, and electronics every 24 h.

IntelliDoX

Honeywell instrument-management docking system for fastest bump tests, configuration, and data transfer.

MicroDock II

Earlier docking station compatible with BW Clip for bump tests and limited data downloads.

EMSDO (EMS Duty Officer)

Supervisor responsible for replacing damaged, missing, or expired detectors through EMS Logistics.

Self-Sealed Battery

Non-replaceable power source giving the detector a fixed two-year operation span.

SCBA Requirement

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus must be worn before re-entering a structure after detector alarm.

Loss/Damage Report

Form completed when a detector is missing or broken, prior to requesting replacement.

Ingress Protection IP 66/67

Rating indicating the detector is dust-tight and water-resistant to immersion up to 1 m.

Event Log (35 Events)

Memory that stores the last 35 alarms, bumps, and zero events for download via docking stations.

Visual Alarm Indicators

Wide-angle flashing LEDs located on the detector’s front and sides during alarm conditions.

Audible Alarm (95 dB)

Sound level produced by the detector’s buzzer when an alarm or warning is triggered.