Proper Placement and Installation of a Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide is a lethal gas that can not be seen and has no odor. It can cause death at dangerous levels of exposure. As a by-product of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, there is potential for residential exposure to carbon monoxide from certain types of appliances and heating systems that use propane, fuel oil, natural gas, gasoline, wood, or coal. Knowledge of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and practicing home safety will help to avert unnecessary death or sickness. Since carbon monoxide is virtually undetectable by human senses, a carbon monoxide alarm is essential to monitor the residence . A carbon monoxide alarm will sound an audible alarm when carbon monoxide is detected. This is especially crucial during the sleeping hours. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the majority of carbon monoxide deaths occur at night while the household is sleeping. The proper placement and installation of a carbon monoxide alarm is a preventive measure to protect your family! For this reason many states and municipalities require the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm in dwellings. Check with your state or local housing department or the local building code official to determine the specific requirements in your area.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued the following basic guidelines for the installation and placement of CO alarms:
Install the CO alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions.
One alarm should be installed in the hallway of each separate sleeping area.
Either a plug-in receptacle or placement high on the wall may be used to install the CO alarm. (Manufacturers of CO alarms instruct that the CO alarm be placed at least 5-6 feet from the floor and centered on the wall, if possible. Otherwise the CO alarm should be at least 4 inches from any wall, including the ceiling. Be sure to have a battery backup and to check the batteries regularly for hard-wired or plug-in CO alarms.)
Do NOT install the CO alarm near heating vents or areas that produce humidity, such as a bathroom with a shower. (Manufacturers of CO alarms instruct that the placement of a CO alarm be at least 10 feet away from a bathroom. Also, keep the installation of the CO alarm away from areas with open windows or doors because this could delay carbon monoxide from reaching the alarm.)
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not recommended the installation of a CO alarm in a kitchen or near a fuel-burning appliance, such as the furnace.
For added protection against carbon monoxide poisoning, a CO alarm should be installed on every level of a home. If there is a basement, CO alarm manufacturers instruct for the placement of the CO alarm at the top of the basement stairs. Another added protection is a passive carbon monoxide detector badge to be used as a visual indicator. The presence of carbon monoxide will change the color of the impregnated silica from orange-red to red-brown and then to gray-black as the concentration levels increase. The badge does not require batteries and will not sound an alarm. It comes with an adhesive strip on the back and can be placed in areas where an audible alarm is not recommended for installation, such as the kitchen or near the furnace. With the combination of a carbon monoxide alarm and multiple carbon monoxide detector badges, the household can increase ways to monitor for the dangerous presence of carbon monoxide.
