Where To Install Carbon Monoxide Alarm? Top Full Guide [2022]

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding where to install carbon monoxide alarm. First, the CO alarm should be placed on every level of your home. Second, it should be placed near sleeping areas so you can hear it if it goes off. Third, it should be at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be sure to keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Contents

1 Types Of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
2 Where To Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms?
3 How To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- 3.1 Should carbon monoxide detectors be replaced?
4 What To Do If Your CO Detector Goes Off
5 FAQ
6 Conclusion

Types Of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors are classified into three categories. Learn more about each kind to choose which is ideal for your house.

Dual smoke/CO detectors: Some detectors are all-in-one, detecting both smoke alarm and CO gas. They’re ideal for houses with limited space or locations where you wish to decrease visual clutter. Many smart detectors are a mix of features. They can alert you of either incident.

Battery-operated CO detectors: Battery carbon monoxide detectors are the most straightforward and most adaptable kind to install carbon monoxide detectors. They use sensor technology that responds to prolonged CO gas stoves exposure. You may place it anywhere and even relocate it because it does not depend on a permanent power supply.

However, you will need to update the batteries once a year to guarantee that the carbon monoxide detector placement has enough energy to function effectively for the next 12 months.

Hardwired or plug-in CO detectors: Because they don’t need batteries, most carbon monoxide detectors that can be wired to an existing home current – or plugged into an outlet – are minimal maintenance. The sensor purges and resamples itself for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Where To Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms?

You’re not alone if you’re unsure where to put CO detectors. Because carbon monoxide detectors aren’t as widespread as smoke alarms, many consumers are unsure where to install them. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide detectors should be placed “on each residence level and outside sleeping rooms.”

It’s critical to understand how carbon monoxide operates to target certain areas. It is created by fuel-burning machinery or flame producing appliance sources such as fireplaces, furnaces, odorless gas driers, water heaters, and cars. Because the gas is lighter than blowing air, it will ascend, potentially causing carbon monoxide monitors poisoning.

A CO detector should be installed on a wall about five feet above the floor to measure the air at a height where people in the home are inhaling it. Placing the carbon monoxide detector on the ceiling six inches away from the wall is a fair choice. By room, these are the ideal spots to put carbon monoxide detectors.

In the kitchen

The trick to installing a CO detector in the kitchen is to avoid false alarms putting it near or over a flame-producing item like a stove, grill, or fireplace. To reduce false alerts, install a carbon monoxide detector 5 to 20 feet away from a fire safety source.

The detecting mechanisms in carbon monoxide detectors need to stay at stable temperatures and humidities to work properly. Keep them out of direct sunlight and from fixtures that generate heat (appliances, lights, radiators, etc.) and out of overly humid areas (bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.).

Outside bedrooms

The CPSC advises installing at least one carbon monoxide detector outside sleeping areas on each residence floor. The advice is based on using the fewest number of carbon monoxide detectors possible. Putting one in the hallway enables all bedrooms to hear the alert if CO gas is detected, which is very crucial since the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are typically mild enough not to wake you up.

Installing detectors in bedrooms is a fantastic idea if you have numerous detectors.

Basements and more

The International Association of Fire Chiefs suggests installing a CO detector in the basement since washing machines, water heaters, and furnaces are possible carbon monoxide monitor producers often maintained in the basement. Furthermore, since automobiles are one of the most prevalent CO generators, placing a CO detector in the room or area above a connected, attached garage is excellent.

Sources of this dangerous gas include space heaters, furnaces, back-drafting from unvented appliances, gas stoves, generators, and other gasoline-powered equipment, and exhaust from attached garages.

How To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Follow the installation instructions that came with your CO detector. Here are the general stages, along with a few pointers.

1. To minimize false alarms, keep installations at least six feet away from a flame or fuel source. The gadget may be mounted on a wall at least 5 feet from the ground or on the ceiling six inches from the wall. Some gadgets are directly plugged into an outlet.

2. Mark, drill, and hang the mounting bracket.

3. Always use new batteries.

4. Put the gadget through its paces by pushing and holding the test button. You should be able to see lights and hear an alarm.

5. Screw the CO detector into the mounting bracket.

Both smoke and CO alarms need regular maintenance to function effectively. First, to maintain a CO alarm, check the battery level by pushing the device’s test button. Even if the gadget is operational, the batteries should be replaced yearly.

Should carbon monoxide detectors be replaced?

CO detectors have a finite life. Carbon monoxide detectors begin chirping when it’s time to replace them, unlike smoke detectors, which produce a chirpy, warning sound when the battery is low. Replace your CO detectors every five years.

What To Do If Your CO Detector Goes Off

If your sensor activates, you must respond swiftly. Having a home safety plan in place that includes what to do in an emergency might save your life. Not all circumstances that set off the CO detector necessitate dialing 911. A smart first step is to check on everyone in the family to see if anybody has flu-like symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or a headache.

Evacuate your house if one or more people feel ill to prevent prolonged exposure to CO gas appliances. Ensure that everyone afflicted gets outdoors to get some fresh air and dials 911.

If no one seems ill, you may call the fire department or a licensed technician to examine the likelihood of a problem. Ventilate the rooms, reset the alarm, and switch off any gas-burning equipment while you seek advice from professionals, preferably outdoors or at a neighbor’s home.

Some relevant posts:

FAQ

Do CO alarms operate differently than smoke alarms?

Despite their similar appearance and sound, CO and smoke alarms are designed to detect two different risks. As a result, it’s critical to install both UL Listed CO false alarms and smoke detectors to safeguard your family from both risks.

How do I install my CO alarm?

Follow the installation instructions included with the product in the manufacturer’s usage and care guide. The importance of proper installation in achieving peak performance cannot be overstated. You must follow these directions precisely.

How do I take care of my CO alarm?

CO alarms, like smoke detectors, must be inspected and cleaned regularly, as specified in the manufacturer’s usage and maintenance guide. If a battery powers the detector, test it weekly and replace the battery at least once a year.

Should I follow any safety tips for using and maintaining my CO alarms?

Read the manufacturer’s use and care documentation for installation and maintenance instructions, as with any product. Keep a copy of these instructions for future reference.

If your machine runs on a battery, never let someone “take” the battery. A CO alarm cannot operate without a working power supply like any other appliance or equipment.

Conclusion

According to the National Fire Protection Association, carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every home’s carbon monoxide levels. Thanks for reading.