MILWAUKEE, April 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The only safe
place to operate a portable generator is outside in a proper area,
and now there's added protection to ensure individuals are doing
so. Briggs & Stratton Corporation will be introducing CO
Guard™ Carbon Monoxide Shutdown technology on new portable
generator models manufactured for the
United States over the next 18 months. The industry-leading
carbon monoxide (CO) shutdown technology is designed to shut off
the portable generator if harmful levels of CO accumulate in the
generator's operating area.
"The announcement of CO Guard technology comes after several
years of Briggs & Stratton dedicating resources to create the
most comprehensive solution to reduce the number of carbon monoxide
related injuries and deaths caused by improper use of portable
generators," said Mike Derra, Briggs
& Stratton Corporation director of engineering. "Extensive
modeling and testing confirms CO Guard lowers the risk of carbon
monoxide deaths far more than existing technology on the market."
Revised ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 Standard
On April 20, 2018, the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) Board of Standards Review (BSR) approved a revised
G300 standard from the Portable Generator Manufacturers'
Association (PGMA) in response to the Consumer Product Safety
Commission's (CPSC) call to reduce the number of injuries and
deaths related to carbon monoxide from misuse of portable
generators. The updated ANSI/PGMA G300-2018 standard was developed
collaboratively amongst PGMA members with input and guidance from a
comprehensive group of experts in health and safety fields and
governmental bodies.
Building on the pre-existing ANSI/PGMA G300-2015 standard that
requires portable generator manufacturers to address electrical,
thermal and mechanical hazards of portable generators, the revised
standard requires adopters to integrate technology that will
automatically shut down the generator before harmful levels of
carbon monoxide accumulate around it.
"The PGMA has reported test results and modeling in a series of
four public technical summits that show the ANSI/PGMA G300-2018
standard is more than 99 percent effective in preventing
fatalities when the generator is improperly operated in enclosed
spaces," Derra added. "The effectiveness of the technology has been
validated by an independent third party, and our solution to the
new standard has been successfully demonstrated to several CPSC
commissioners and staff members during visits to Briggs &
Stratton on multiple occasions."
CO Guard Carbon Monoxide Shutdown
Briggs &
Stratton's patent-pending innovation monitors the presence of
carbon monoxide and will shut down the generator if harmful levels
of the poisonous gas accumulate in the operating area. Users will
be provided confirmation of the shutdown trigger via an LED light
display on the unit, and a nearby decal will provide guidance on
where to move the generator outdoors. Operators will not be able to
continue with normal power restoration until CO Guard's sensor has
determined the presence of CO has diminished.
When operating a CO Guard-equipped generator properly, users
will not need to worry about false shutdowns interrupting their
power restoration. CO Guard's patent-pending algorithm protects
users from false shutdowns, even when the generator is providing
maximum output in heavy-wind conditions. "The ability to recognize
the difference between elevated CO levels due to improper operation
and sudden wind shifts illustrates just one area where our
technology outpaces industry standards," Derra said.
The sensor used in the CO Guard system has been proven in the
field; more than 52 million sensors have been used in residential
and commercial CO detectors, marine, and other industrial
applications. To ensure durability, the sensor has been tested to
function in temperatures from minus 20 degrees to 122 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Consumers will be able to purchase the first portable generators
featuring Briggs & Stratton's CO Guard technology in fall 2018
through select retail partners. The technology will be featured on
several portable generator brands over the next 18 months. Shoppers
will be able to identify if a model features CO Guard technology by
looking on the generator's packaging and control panel for a CO
Guard icon.
While portable generators can provide users with flexibility and
comfort, they must be used appropriately at all times in order to
avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. As a member of the Portable
Generator Manufacturers' Association, Briggs & Stratton invites
homeowners to visit www.TakeYourGeneratorOutside.com to learn more
about portable generator safety.
About Briggs & Stratton Corporation:
Briggs &
Stratton Corporation (NYSE: BGG), headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is focused on providing
power to get work done and make people's lives better. Briggs &
Stratton is the world's largest producer of gasoline engines for
outdoor power equipment, and is a leading designer, manufacturer
and marketer of power generation, pressure washer, lawn and garden,
turf care and job site products through its Briggs &
Stratton®, Simplicity®, Snapper®,
Ferris®, Vanguard™, Allmand™, Billy
Goat®, Murray®, Branco® and
Victa® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are
designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries
on six continents. For additional information, please visit
www.basco.com and www.briggsandstratton.com.
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SOURCE Briggs & Stratton Corporation