Safety Siren Pro Series3 Radon Gas Detector - HS71512 by Family Safety Products, Inc.

Review for: Safety Siren Pro Series 3 HS71512 Radon Gas DetectorOVERVIEW:-----------Easy to use. Follow the directions for placement, plug it in, and wait for at least 48 hours for short-term reading and at least 3 months for a long-term reading.This meter gives continuous display readings for radon monitoring. During the 3 months I let it sit, the readings started at 1.0 and dropped to 0.8 (picocuries per liter) where it has stayed. This was different from a respected 3rd party vetted +/-10% accurate test by only 0.1 (with rounding, the difference might have been a little less or more, of course).A respected consumer magazine in a 2008 article didn't rate the accuracy as particularly good, however, I found it very acceptable at such lower levels (see above), so perhaps they greatly improved it since then, or perhaps it is more accurate at lower levels. I've never measured somewhere with high radon levels.The value of this kind of meter over short and long term mail-in tests, of course, is that it can give you the long-term (3+ months) reading and still give you immediate feedback in the meantime while waiting for the long-term value to firm up.You should probably ignore any readings for the first 72 hours.LONG-TERMTEST OPTION:--------------(1) Accustar Alpha Track Test Kit AT100A respected consumer magazine rated this as the one to beat for long-term test accuracy among the consumer affordable options (in 2008). It was easy to use, I just placed it following placement requirements and mailed it in. It is good for testing 91+ DAYS.SHORT-TERMTEST OPTION:--------------With short-term tests you give up smoothing out the readings over seasonal changes and the opening and closing of doors and windows, etc., but you'll get an earlier warning of an issue, of course. Perhaps it is for a real estate transaction, or perhaps you just want to know if you have a problem right away.(1) RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal CanisterA respected consumer magazine rated this tops for short term testing among consumer affordable options (in 2008), very good for accuracy and reliability. It is good for tests lasting 2-7 DAYS.SHORT AND LONG TERMTEST OPTIONS:----------------------(1) Accustar's RadStar Continuous Monitors: RS300 and RS800Like the Safety Siren Pro Series 3, these are continuous monitors, though higher end meters. The RS300 is claimed to have +/-10% accuracy. The RS800 is claimed to have +/-5% accuracy, built-in LCD display, and simultaneous humidity and temperature logging. These are much more expensive but serious meters.COMPARING SOME SHORT-TERMTESTS I CAN'T FIND REVIEWAPPROVAL FOR:------------------------------A leading respected consumer magazine in 2008 threw their weight in the ring for the Accustar Alpha Track for LONG-TERM testing and the RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal Canister for SHORT-TERM testing.However, for folks that want to consider the Accustar short-term options, despite the older reviews, in the hope they have improved, I created this section to at least help understand the differences.- Accustar's Liquid Scintillation (LS) Vial TestsThere is a 48-96 HOUR air TEST (CLS-100) and a water test for private wells. The results are supposed to be +/-10%, though I was unable to find reliable 3rd party confirmation. The lab needs at least 12 hours with LS short term tests like this, so this is less popular for super short-term turnaround needs. A respected consumer magazine in 2008 said tests gave repeatable values within 8% of each other which is considered very good, but the test didn't give an accuracy figure.- Accustar's Activated Carbon OpenAlso referred to as Picocan Open-Faced Charcoal Tests, these have much faster laboratory needs and thus are better for overall superfast turnaround time requirements. There are 2 types of these, the Picocan 275 and the Picocan 400. Both are recommended for a 48 HOUR TEST (though technically work for 2-5 days). Call their PA Lab for questions not answered on their website.- Accustar's Activated Carbon DiffusionThis carbon canister design resists humidity, giving us a longer testing period than the Activated Carbon Open design. They are recommended for a 3-5 DAY TEST (though technically work for 2-7 days). Call their PA Lab for questions not answered on their website.HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?:--------------------------A respected consumer magazine suggests considering radon mitigation above 2.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).At the very least, if you see 3.0 or higher (picocuries per liter) I would suggest looking into radon mitigation. I know they often say 4.0, however accuracy, reliability, and environmental variability are enough I'd say 3.0 minimum. Even just accuracy-wise, a 15% accuracy figure on 4.0 gives us a starting point for concern of 3.4 (4.0x15%=0.6). That said, if at all possible I'd take the above advice and seek remediation as low as 2.0 to be on the conservative side.The EPA says that a "normal" indoor radon level is 1.3 and 0.4 outdoors, though from their maps it clearly varies a great deal depending on location.SOME SHORT-TERM RADONMEASUREMENT SUGGESTIONSFOUND ON INTERNET:----------------------------Maintain closed building conditions for 12 hours BEFORE AND DURING test:- Close doors behind persons, door not left open.- Windows closed.- Heating and cooling set to auto and temperature kept to 68-74 Fahrenheit.- Ceiling fan off if in tested room.- Whole house attic fans off.- Portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers off.- Fireplaces off and chimney dampers closed.- Clothes dryer permitted (note though, this can greatly affect humidity)- Newly constructed homes should be in "ready to move in condition" during any test.NOTES:--------- I heard that for accuracy the unit should be recalibrated once a year or so ($75 plus cost of shipping both ways).- Consider vacuuming the grill now and then, perhaps once every few months.- Test right away in case you get a lemon so you can exchange it easily. Look for error messages, for example.READING SUGGESTIONS:-----------------------epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.htmlIndoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Device Protocols(EPA 402-R-92-004, July 1992) revisedProtocols for Radon and Radon Decay Products Measurement in Homes(EPA 402-R-93-003, June 1993)Radon Measurement in Schools - Revised Edition(EPA 402-R-92-014, July 1993)EPA National Radon Proficiency Program Guidance on Quality Assurance(EPA 402-R-95-012)epa.gov/radonepa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.htmlepa.gov/radon/zonemap.htmlHope this helps someone :)

Radon is not a big issue in the area I live but since my wife and I recently moved into a bedroom in our basement I decided not to take any chances. I was looking at all of the Radon test kits when I ran across the HS71512 Electronic Radon detector, from Safety Siren. The idea of purchasing a tester that will give continuous readings over time just made sense. After researching this device I found that it had received many good reviews so I ordered one up.There is not much to installing this device. The most important thing is determining the best place to mount it. The manual says "The detector should be placed in the lowest living area of the home, in a location where it will not be disturbed." It also notes that the location of the detector should be at least 3 feet from windows, doors, or any other potential openings in the exterior walls. It should be mounted at least 1 foot from exterior walls and at least 20 inches from the floor. The detector should not be installed near heating and air conditioning vents, doors, fans, windows or any other draft producing items. You also cannot place the detector on metal, granite or slate, as these materials can produce false readings. I hung mine from a floor joist in the utility room of our basement and plugged it in. The unit only comes with a 10 ft. power cable (unit does not have the ability to run on batteries) so you need to keep this in mind when choosing a mounting location. When plugged in the detector runs a short self-test, followed by four short chirps to acknowledge that the unit is functioning properly.After 48 hours passed, the LED display showed a reading of 1.6 pCi/L (Pico Curies per Liter), which is way below the caution level of 4 pCi/L. Short-term readings display a 7 day radon average, while long-term readings give an average since the unit was last powered up or reset. We have had our Safety Siren Pro 3 Radon Detector installed and running for the past 3 months now and it has been working as expected. The highest levels seem to show up when humidity is the highest. Our highest reading was 2.4 pCi/L while the lowest reading was 1.2 pCi/L. Even at the highest reading I am confident that my family and I are safe in our home, as the EPA states that prolonged exposure to radon gas levels of 4pCi/L or above can cause lung cancer and other illnesses.The primary features and specifications of the HS71512 Safety Siren Pro 3 Radon Detector are as follows:* Clear, easy to read LED radon level display* Displays radon levels from 0.1 to 999.9 pCi/L* Samples air continuously and updated reading display once every hour.* Short-term reading displays average radon gas levels over past 7 days.* Long-term reading display average radon gas levels since last powered on or reset, up to a maximum of 5 years. Unit resets long-term average reading after 5 years.* Audible alarm sounds if the long term level reaches 4 pCi/L or higher, or if the short-term level remains at or above 4 pCi/L for 30 consecutive days.* Detector runs self-test every 24 hours and displays error if test fails.* US EPA evaluated and meets performance criteria for the continuous radon protocol.* Accuracy = +/- 20% pCi/L* Operating Environment = 32 ° to 158 ° F (0 ° to 70 ° C)* Power Source: Input = 120v AC at 9 watts / Output = 18v DC/200mA* Sensor Type = Ionization Chamber* Dimensions: 4.7" x 3.1" x 2.1"* Weight: 8 oz.* 1 year limited warrantyAlthough Radon is not a big threat in my area, I am very happy that I purchased this detector. It gives us the peace of mind that we needed, so we would not always wonder if my wife and I or our children were in danger. The device is extremely easy to install and use. Once plugged in you can leave it in place, to monitor your home over weeks, months or even years. The manual does recommend moving the unit to different areas of your basement, to assure that your entire basement is free from high Radon gas levels. Many people have noticed high ratings near a sump hole in their basement (which we do not have), so I certainly recommend that people test levels in this area of their home. If anyone notices elevated Radon gas levels in their home, they should look for any cracks in their foundation and basement walls and seal them immediately. If the levels are extremely high, or if the Radon gas levels remain above 4 pCi/L even after sealing cracks and holes in your basement, you should contact a Radon Technician as soon as possible. They will likely need to install a Radon evacuation system in your home.I am giving the Safety Siren Pro 3 Radon Detector 5 stars, for ease of installation, flawless functionality, and for value. This detector may seem a bit pricey to many people but you can't put a price tag on your family's health and safety. It could save your life and the lives of everyone in your household.