Chrisreyn

Hey got one for you fire-fighter types......
The BOSS brought home a CO detector she wants me to install, it has the option of hard-wire, which I want to do, with a battery back-up.
I know fire detectors are mounted near the ceilings, since the gases produced are light,hot and rise.
CO is heavy, so should I mount this nearer to the floor?
what is the correct hieght in the room?

chaikwa

Generally, it's recommended they be mounted "at breathing level", or 4 to 5 feet off the floor. For best protection, I'd say mount the CO detector in the hallway near the bedrooms, but I think I'd go a little closer to the floor than '4 to 5 feet tho.

chaikwa.

Chrisreyn

I was thining of using a existing outlet box to mount it, they're about 23 inches from the floor.

zookeeper

So what I'm hearing is the combination CO\Fire detectors I've got aren't the best . I've got them located above doorways, one in the basement and one on the main floor. The house is about 1400 sq feet single story with an 80% finished basement. I guess this setup may be fine for the smoke but not for the CO. Do you recommend additional CO detector(s)?

I know CO can be deadly and don't wish to take chances with my family so any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

chaikwa

I don't know enough about the combo units yet to give an informed opinion about them. It would seem, (at least to me), that if CO is heavier than air, than a CO detector that was mounted high wouldn't be as effective as one that was mounted low. Seems like the house would practically have to fill with CO before the alarm would sound.

I have a meeting with one of the manufacturers of these new alarms in early December, and that's one of my questions for them.

chaikwa.

chaikwa

That would work for me!

chaikwa.

Chrisreyn

Thanks for the info Chaikwa!

zookeeper

I agree. I think I'll be getting a couple of CO (only) detectors and mounting them at electrical outlet level as well. I've got an 8 month old grandson living at our house and he has a LOT more living to do. If CO is heavier than air, he would be the first one affected and if that happened and I could have prevented it ...... well enough said

rammtuff

Remember that any forced air furnace (usually the source of the co) will move air around so the upper level c/o will work. These things are set so sensative that when they alarm the amounts are so low they will not harm you. These are an early detection device. I suggest you mount them wherever you feel most comfortable and will be happy. I have a smoke alarm in every room of my house (excluding bathrooms) and a combo co/smoke in the hallways of each floor. All are hardwired and on the ceilings. These were installed to code when I built the house (2003)

zookeeper

Thanks RAMMTUFF, that makes me feel a bit more comfortable but isn't a detector in every room a bit much?

chaikwa

Actually, it's code here in Massachusetts.

rammtuff; good points you made. I'd be willing to bet that's what the CO mfg will tell me too. THANKS!

chaikwa.

spunbearing

You are supposed to have a separation between combustion air and return air. The air handling unit shouldn't redistribute the CO. ( if properly installed)
I generally mount a CO detector within 4-6 feet of every permenently installed gas burning appliance.

rammtuff

Ya for sure but if you have a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace then the c/o will mix with the house air and the fan will distribute it around.
As far as I am concerned I think prevention is much cheaper than supression (ie if a fire starts in a bedroom and the door is closed with no smoke alarm in that room it will roll for a while before smoke leaks around the door and sets off the alarm in the hall. But if you have an alarm in that room you will know much sooner you have a working fire. Regular fire detectors are 7 or 8 bucks each. Add a round box and some wire and you are up to 20 bucks. Cheap insurance IMO when you are building a 300k house.)

MedicShawn

PLACEMENT OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IMPORTANT

Proper placement of a carbon monoxide detector is important. If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provides extra protection.

Homeowners should remember 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 detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms.

When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air (carbon monoxide's specific gravity is 0.9657, as stated by the EPA; the National Resource Council lists the specific gravity of air as one), it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air.

For this reason, the makers of First Alert (R), the leading brand in carbon monoxide detector technology, suggests mounting the detector on the ceiling. This also puts the detector out of the way of potential interference, such as pets or curious children.


From http://www.homesafe.com/coalert/detect.htm

Chrisreyn

Thanks Shawn.... The info available through this site covers so much more than our trucks...its great to have folks like Chaikwa and yourself to ask!