There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room. According to the carbon monoxide guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 720, 2005 edition), all carbon monoxide alarms “shall
be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms,” and each alarm “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.” Why CO alarms are often installed near the floor Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that’s near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that
shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it’s easy to read. Why you shouldn’t install a CO alarm near heating or cooking appliances Also keep in mind not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A carbon monoxide detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms. For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association. Was this helpful? How can we improve it? Now that winter is here, the widows are closed for the duration and the furnace is set on high its time to make sure our carbon monoxide detectors are working and placed correctly to save us in the event of an emergency. Every fuel-burning appliance in your home, including a gas furnace, produces some levels of carbon monoxide. Normally those gasses are carried out of your home, but if something goes wrong a CO leak can be life-threatening to your family. That’s why it’s so important to have carbon monoxide detectors to help warn you of excess CO in your air. So where should carbon monoxide detectors be placed in order to best detect CO leaks in your home? Carbon monoxide detectors placement: Do’sIn order to maximize the protection of your home from excess levels of carbon monoxide, place your detectors in all of the following places:
Carbon monoxide detectors placement: Don’tsThe following locations can either create a false alarm or avoid your detector from properly identifying the CO levels in your home:
How Carbon Monoxide Is MeasuredBefore we get into what to look for when purchasing carbon monoxide detectors, it will help if you understand how carbon monoxide is measured. CO is measured in a ratio called ppm (parts per million). Just as 5% means 5 out of a 100, 5 ppm means 5 out of 1 million. So, if your home has 10 ppm of carbon monoxide, there is 10 carbon monoxide molecules for every million molecules in the air. How Much CO is Too Much?Even in homes without gas appliances, there could be CO. So how do you know how much is too much? It depends on your age, size and health. Here are some common thresholds of carbon monoxide.
Types of Carbon Monoxide DetectorsNow that you understand how carbon monoxide is measured, you’re better prepared to understand the two basic types of carbon monoxide detection devices: alarms and monitors. Carbon monoxide alarms or detectors However, long exposure to low levels of CO can be as dangerous as short amount of exposure to high levels. And most alarms and detectors only tell you about the high levels. That’s where the carbon monoxide monitor enters. Carbon monoxide monitor Which is Better?I encourage homeowners to purchase a carbon monoxide monitor, especially if you live with young children or elderly parents, as they can be more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. However, carbon monoxide monitors with digital displays can be more expensive and having an alarm or detector is better than no device at all. |