When thinking about Carbon Monoxide Detectors, you want to make sure to think about installing them in every room that has a gas burning appliance.
Carbon Monoxide can cause serious issues if you don’t take the necessary steps to make sure that you have them installed in your property.
Your goal is to make sure that the detectors catch the odorless gas. If your home contains only one fuel-burning appliance located in a remote room for example utility room or garage, then you want to think about placing them as close to the burning appliances as possible.
If it is deemed that you are unable to hear the alarm sound levels, then move the alarms outside the door of the room with the appliance.
If the alarm sound levels are still inadequate, consider moving it closer to the living area. In a room with an appliance, the detector should preferably be positioned on the ceiling at least 300 mill meter from any wall.
If not possible then you want to make sure that you place it closer to the ceiling and above the height of any doors or windows.
Position the Alarm 1 to 3 meters from the appliance. Try your best to place the detector near the appliance side.
When located in rooms without an appliance place at breathing level. It is important to know where not to position the detector.
In an enclosed or obstructed space, directly above the heating or cooking appliance, Directly above the sink, Next to doors windows extractor fans or air vents, In an area where the temperature exceeds minus 10 degrees Celsius to plus 40 degrees Celsius, In dirty or dusty environment.
You do not want the carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen. It will pick up any smoke and there’s always amount of CO in your Home.
You want to think about moving it in a different location like a hallway or close to the kitchen appliances or near other location.
“Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can increase the severity of lung ailments, cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and even death. EPA has defined the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for carbon monoxide as nine parts per million averaged over an eight-hour period, and this threshold cannot be exceeded more than once a year or an area would be violating the standard.”
Carbon monoxide can also leak from gas furnaces gas stoves hot water tanks and vehicles. Persistent exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can cause long-term health problems,while exposure to high levels can be lethal. Remember that Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not for smoke.
You will need to either have a smoke detector for smoke or buy a detector that is combination of a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector.
A dual sensor detector includes both a photoelectric and ionization detector,offering the best smoke and fire protection. Simple carbon monoxide detectors will be tripped if any carbon monoxide is detected.
Advanced models use a digital screen to display the level in parts per million, or PPM. It’s best to investigate any level of detection especially if it’s over 9 PPM.
Any reading above 10 PPM can have long term health effects and should be taken seriously. If Carbon Monoxide is detected, immediately vent the area, turn off the source if possible,exit your home, call the technician.
Batteries or Wired?
The battery in a battery powered detector,should changed every year. Some devices will emit a short chirp to signal it’s time to change the batteries.
Non-removable battery detectors have a long-lasting built-in battery designed to last the full 10 years with the life of your detector.
A plug-in style detectors attached directly to an electrical outlet,and usually contain a backup battery. Hardwired detectors are connected directly into your home’s power. these alarms can be chained together and synchronized so if one sensor is tripped they will all sound an alarm.
Wireless detectors offer the same ability to connect and synchronize multiple devices,and are available in both battery and hardwired models.
As you can see smoke and carbon monoxide detectors both play an important role in keeping you safe inside your home.
When to Replace a Detector?
When was the last time you checked your Carbon Monoxide detector? This a very important question to ask yourself.
If you haven’t replaced your Detector in over 7 years, then you might want to go back and do a check on your Carbon Monoxide detector.
All smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors lose their accuracy and detection after 10 years and will need to be replaced.
If you feel that you got a false alarm from your detector, then you will need to think about getting a new one. The goal is to make sure that you replace all necessary detector.
This is a very good question to ask yourself. If you are indeed renting properties to tenants. It would be a good idea to make sure that you have Carbon Monoxide Detectors in locations close to gas appliances and water heaters.
Most city do require that you have Carbon Monoxide Detectors in a property.
You want to also make sure that they are functioning and that you keep them working. You do not want a situation where for some reason the Carbon Monoxide Detector didn’t go off and someone gets seriously hurt in your property.
This will bring on possible legal action against you if something where to happen to your tenants and it was deemed that you didn’t have proper Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
So Yes, you want to make sure that you place them in your rental properties.
How Do I Find Out If The Sellers Have Carbon Monoxide Detectors When Buying A House?
When buying a house. You want to make sure that you review the Seller’s Disclosure. On the Seller’s Disclosure, the seller will list the the difference things that are function in the property and that are not function in the home.
If for some reason the Seller didn’t put down information about the Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
You can ask your Realtor to find out if the sellers have Carbon Monoxide Detectors and you can ask them when was the last time they put them in the home.
Carbon Monoxide Detector Functionality
Carbon Monoxide Detectors come in three different varieties. But, they all will do the same thing. They detect carbon monoxide.
The three different types of sensors are bio-mimetic, metal oxide semi conductors an electro-chemical. They all function in a slightly different way.
The electro-chemical sensor actually have sensors that have chemical painted on top of them and when they detect carbon monoxide it triggers the sensor.
Bio-mimetic sensors have a gel inside of them that’ll change color.
When they change color, the sensor will trigger telling the the alarm system that there is carbon monoxide in the area.
Metal Oxide Semi conductor sensors have a silicon chip that reacts to carbon monoxide. It will trigger the sensor when it goes off.
What Are Some First Aid Gestures When Someone Is Experience Carbon Monoxide
Depending on the person’s condition, there are two possible cases The first case: the injured did not lose consciousness.
The person does not feel well and complains of headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. The person feels sick and dizzy, and may lose consciousness. It is very likely that the sufferer suffers from poisoning due to carbon monoxide.
1. Opening windows. Immediately open windows and doors to avoid any danger.
2. Close the device. If possible, turn off the device suspected of leaking carbon monoxide.
3. Helping the injured to evacuate. Help the victim evacuate the place, if possible take them to the open air.
4. Sit in a comfortable position. Help the victim to get a comfortable position.
5. Call emergency.
The second case: You notice an unconscious person and there is a water heater in the same room. It is very likely that are suffering from poisoning due to carbon monoxide.
1. Opening windows. Immediately open windows and doors to avoid any danger.
2. Close the device. If possible, turn off the device suspected of leaking carbon monoxide.
3. Helping the injured person to evacuate. Perform an immediate evacuation of the property, if possible take the person to fresh air.
4. Are they breathing normal?
5. Act according to the person’s condition. Ensure that the injured person is breathing and act according to his or her condition.
This means, if you are sure that the injured person is breathing safely, put him in a recovery position.
Call emergency, cover the person and follow up on the person until the ambulance team arrives.
If the person stops breathing, call 911 emergency for help or start the process of CPR by alternating between thirty (30) pushes on the chest and two blows.
If you do not know the mouth-to-mouth technique, perform pressure movements only while maintaining a frequency of two per second.
Now we are going to take a look at a few carbon monoxide units you can purchase and install in your property.
Kidde Nighthawk Plug-In AC/DC Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector with Digital Display KN-COPP-3
$29.95 in stock
Features
- Easy Installation - simply plug-in to a standard, 120V outlet in your home
- 9-volt battery backup provides protection during a power outage
- Digital LED display shows the level of carbon monoxide the CO alarm is sensing
- 85-decibel alarm announces when carbon monoxide is detected
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
Kidde AC Plug-in Carbon Monoxide and Explosive Gas Detector Alarm | Nighthawk Sensor Technology | Model # KN-COEG-3
$56.09 in stock
Features
- Easy Installation - simply plug-in to a standard, 120V outlet in your home
- 9-volt battery backup provides protection during a power outage
- Digital LED display shows the level of carbon monoxide the CO alarm is sensing or states "GAS" when explosive gas is present
- 85-decibel alarm announces when carbon monoxide or explosive gas is detected
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector | Digital Display | Battery Operated | Model KN-COPP-B-LPM
Features
- Electrochemical sensor technology detects CO gas
- Easy installation, no wiring needed, detects during a power failure by operating on 2-AA batteries (included)
- Conveniently designed & portable: simple to install on a wall of your home or place on a tabletop
- Green LED indicates power to the smoke detector, while an 85-decibel alarm & a red LED indicates the presence of carbon monoxide
- Peak Level Memory records the last time carbon monoxide was detected or when the unit was last tested
First Alert Wireless Battery Operated Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm (2 Pack)
Features
- 2 Pack. Battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide alarm can be installed easily
- Connects multiple alarms together for wireless safety network
- Voice alarm gives clear indication of where the problem is located
- Features photoelectric smoke sensor and electrochemical CO sensor. One button silences a false alarm and tests the unit
- NOTE:Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description section
FireX Hardwire Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Combination Detector with 9V Battery Backup, Voice Alarm, and Photoelectric Sensor
FireX photoelectric combination alarm offers protection from two hazards - fire and carbon monoxide in one unit. Hardwire with battery backup alarm emits a beeping tone followed by a voice warning that clearly announces the danger: "Fire. Fire. Fire". or "Warning, carbon monoxide".
First Alert CO710 Carbon Monoxide Detector with 10-Year Battery and Digital Temperature Display
$44.98 in stock
First Alert CO710 Carbon Monoxide Detector with 10-Year Battery and Digital Temperature Display
Kidde Smoke and (CO) Carbon Monoxide Alarm Value I9040E KN-COB-LP2
$16.86 in stock
Feel safer in your home, office or place of businesses by installing this Kidde Carbon Monoxide And Smoke Alarm Value Pack. This item is designed to protect your family in two ways. The battery-operated smoke alarm senses smoke and instantly alerts you in the event of a fire. It functions to...
First Alert CO400 Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm
$15.72 in stock
Protect homes and businesses when using the First Alert CO400 Battery Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This sensor is designed to last for up to five years and does not require installation. The alarm can be mounted or placed nearly anywhere and in any room. The First Alert carbon monoxide alarm...
Conclusion
Installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors can be a benefit to property owners and landlords. Make sure that they are installed properly and making sure that they are in your home.
They provide better protection for your family. Making this one small investment and install Carbon Monoxide Detectors because they could save someones life.