I have a question about carbon monoxide detectors...?

Question

Where is the best place to put them-up high or down low. Does carbon monoxide tend to rise (like smoke will) or is it a heavy gas and build from the floor up? I notice many detectors are made to plug directly into an outlet, and many outlets are closer to the floor. I know carbon monoxide will eventually fill the room or building, but of course I don't want to let it get that far. So what's the best location for a detector?

Answer 1

It is instructed to put them at eye level, but that can mean anywhere from 3 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet. You'll notice that the manufacturer's instructions that come with the detector don't say high or low either.

The National Fire Protection Association has a code , number
720, 2-1.1.2* 1998 states that " A carbon monoxide alarm or detector should be centrally located outside of each separated sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Where bedrooms are separated and the audibility of the alarm or detector to occupants within the bedroom area could be seriously impaired, more than one unit could be needed. Each
alarm or detector should be located on the wall, ceiling, or other
location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit." . In addition more than CO will be emitted with furnace failure or with the use of an unvented heaters. Carbon dioxide a heavier gas will collect on the floor building up and possibly preventing carbon monoxide from ever reaching the alarm if located at a floor outlet. That is why it is recommended that CO alarms be placed high around eye level where the
higher concentrations would be concentrated.

Answer 2

From AllExperts:

"1. Nitrogen (N2) has a molecular weight of 28 (14x2)
2. Oxygen (O2) has a molecular weight of 32 (16x2)
3. Carbon dioxide(CO2)has a molecular weight of 44 (12 + 2x32)
4. Carbon Monoxide(CO)has a molecular weight of 28 (12+16)

So compared to the main constituents CO is lighter than O2. It is the same as N2. Since however, the nitrogen is equal and makes up almost 80% of the air, CO basically stays where you
release it."

Also, since it is a gas, it tends to diffuse and spread around the room by convection, etc., fairly quickly. The CO detectors plug into an outlet to give them a power-source without having to depend on batteries. It could also be hard-wired into a ceiling. The best thing is to keep it CLOSE to the place that may be causing the problem -- like I have ours right next to our fireplace, to detect for problems from the chimney.

Good luck.

Answer 3

That's the problem with carbon monoxide detectors. If they go off and everything seems fine, you don't know what to do. With a smoke alarm you can tell if it's a false alarm. I say call the FD and they'll come over and check things out to be safe. You never know. You may have a problem and feel fine for now. Better safe than sorry. If they Say everything's ok, go buy a new one and not the same brand.

Answer 4

Carbon monoxide weighs about the same as air and distributes evenly throughout the room and house. When installing a CO alarm, choose a location where the alarm will stay clean, and out of the way of children or pets. Try to put about the same level as your bed and within hearing range.

Answer 5

Here's an article about carbon monoxide that gives excellent information about how to choose, place and use CO detectors in your home. I was doing it all wrong!

http://tulipsandtantrums.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-protect-your-family-from-carbon.html

Answer 6

The instructions that come with them say put them at eye level.