Visual difference between smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

SMOKE DETECTORS

• Replace smoke detectors every 7 to 10 years.
  • After 7 to 10 years false reading may occur, the detector burns through batteries faster and the sensors inside the device will begin to deteriorate.
• Change batteries when you adjust your clocks for daylight savings.
• Have a smoke alarm in each bedroom and one on each level.
  • To avoid false alarms, do not install detectors in the kitchen or bathroom.
• Test smoke detectors monthly.

TIPS

• In general, if a detector is beeping every so often, that means that the batteries need to be changed.
  • Please do not just disconnect the detector to stop the beeping.
• Hard wired detectors still operate with a battery.  The wires connect all detectors together for them to initiate throughout the house.
• In residential terms, smoke detectors and smoke alarms are interchangeable terms.
• If you need to find how old your smoke detector is or the model number, typically this information is found on the back of the detector.

SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLATION - Red Cross

Throughout the year the American Red Cross partners with the West  Fargo Fire Department to install new smoke detectors within the homes of different neighborhood within the City of West Fargo.

Information regarding smoke detector installations will be posted on the fire department website, social media, and through mail.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

A carbon monoxide detector (CO detector) is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. 

• Carbon monoxide detectors should be located outside of a mechanical room if you have a gas furnace or water heater.  One should also be located near any gas powered appliances.
• CO detectors can be a standalone device or combined with a smoke detector.

The CO alarm will sound if your sensor detects a high buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. Most people begin to feel the effects of carbon monoxide at 50 ppm, so be sure your detector can sense an amount of 50 ppm or less.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS

CO is an odorless, poisonous and potentially fatal gas.

• Out of breath
• Dizziness
• Nauseous and headaches
• Feel sleepy, tired, and/or are drowsier than normal

REMEDY

• Get fresh air right away.
• Call 911 immediately and crews will respond with the proper protection and detection devices.

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Just about everyone has woken up to the sounds of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm going off in the middle of the night. But what do those chirps and beeps mean? In our latest video, we asked the National Fire Protection Association what the noises mean and how to stay safe from fires and carbon monoxide. Here’s a simple guide:

• Smoke alarms alert you with three beeps in a row.
• Carbon monoxide alarms alert you with four beeps.
• A single chirp means the battery is low or the detector should be replaced.

Some newer alarms also have a voice that gives you directions. Other alarms, made for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, shake your pillow or have a strobe light.

• Every alarm has a manufacture date or an expiration date. Replace your alarms before the expiration date, or within 10 years of the manufacture date.
• Test your alarms once a month.
• Replace the batteries once a year.
• Replace the alarms at least every 10 years.

When you buy new alarms, put them inside and outside each sleeping area. Not just bedrooms, but anywhere people sleep. If your garage is attached to your home, you need one there too.

Have a family escape plan and pick a safe place to meet outside. Then practice your plan so everyone’s ready when an alarm goes off. If someone in the house has mobility issues, make sure they sleep on the ground floor. It could be a matter of life and death.

Learn more

• Fire in your house? Get out fast
• How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning at home
• How to protect your family from a home fire

Differentiating between signal types is a crucial part of alarm monitoring. And we’ve written about the importance of distinguishing between fire and smoke detection before; but what about carbon monoxide?

When thinking about a carbon monoxide (CO) unit, an image of a small, eggshell color, 90’s-style device may be what pops into your head, but CO detection has started to make its way into trendier smart home devices.

Combination, smart-fire and CO detectors are becoming more common, but these setups are posing challenges to the companies that monitor for them.

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an often fatal gas, commonly referred to as the “silent killer.” As you may well know, CO is odorless as well as colorless, and originates from combustion fumes. Some of the biggest household CO culprits include:

• Cars running in an attached garage
• Unvented appliances (particularly stoves and gas dryers)
• Improperly set up heating systems
• Blocked chimneys

Carbon monoxide poisoning is incredibly serious, and can be difficult to diagnose. And the longer a person is exposed to CO, the more severe the consequences. Here are some quick stats about carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States:

• More than 500 Americans die each year due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning
• Carbon Monoxide events are more likely to occur during the winter months (with almost half of all CO events occurring between November and February)
• CO incidents most commonly occur between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM

Responding to Fire vs CO Alarms

In the event that your home catches fire, you know that the most important thing to do is get out of the building, and stay a safe distance away. The appropriate response to your carbon monoxide detector going off looks a little different, though. Instead of getting outside right away, it is suggested that you turn off any appliances and open as many windows and doors as possible first.

Just like there is different protocol for you in these two different situations, the action plan for a monitoring center varies slightly depending on the type of signal that comes through.

While both fire and CO signals are marked at the highest level of priority when they come in, it’s important to distinguish the two so that the operator is able to relay the most accurate information to the local authorities.

If the fire department is looking for a blaze, the first thing they will do is search the location for the source and see if anyone is inside the building; but, if they know that it is a CO call, then their first priority is to check everyone on location for symptoms and get them medical attention before locating the CO source within the building.

The Dilemma of Combination Devices

In an advancement of technology, and an effort to cut down on the number of devices necessary within a building, many companies have started manufacturing combination fire and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices are undoubtedly convenient, and many have smart capabilities that are very appealing to consumers, but they can pose a problem to monitoring centers and first responders if not properly set up.

The challenge that some monitoring centers have faced recently is this: when a signal comes from a combination device, it isn’t differentiated by the alarm type. So, an operator will receive an alarm marked as a “fire” and they pass the information onto the local fire department. But, when firefighters arrive on the scene, there is no blaze to be found.

This situation could easily be brushed off as one of many false alarms, when, in fact, it was actually high levels of carbon monoxide that set off the alarm, and the occupants are still in danger.

Correct Setup is Key

Obviously, the above scenario could lead to a tragic outcome, and is one that everyone in the emergency detection and response industries should hope to avoid. Thankfully, most brand-name, combination smart devices are set up to distinguish fire and carbon monoxide signals.

The key is ensuring that the alarm technician does the initial set up correctly in order for the monitoring center to be able to distinguish between the two signals. The other important piece of the puzzle is making sure that the monitoring center knows precisely which devices under a dealer’s account are standalone fire or CO detectors, and which ones are combination units.

Fire and carbon monoxide detection both require prompt and accurate responses in order to ensure the safety of building residents. And consumers need not sacrifice the convenience and perks of combination devices. As a dealer offering smart fire and CO detectors, it is essential to be aware of the added measures needed to accurately set up and document which devices are which.

How can you tell the difference between a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector?

Does my smoke detector also detect carbon monoxide?

How do I know if I need a carbon monoxide detector?