Where’s the proper Carbon Monoxide Detector location?
Carbon Monoxide Detector Location
I have a goal which is to save your life. However, I need to ask you a question in order to do this. The question I need to ask is, where is your carbon monoxide (CO) detector located? As a Realtor, I go into many home every week. One thing I always look for is the location of the carbon monoxide detectors. And an alarming rate of homes I enter have the (CO) detector in the wrong location. Please allow me to explain where the detector of this odorless, colorless gas should be.
Where Should The CO Detector Be?
Many people think that the carbon monoxide detectors should be located near the furnace. And that’s not a bad answer, just the wrong answer. Building code requires the CO detector to be with 10 foot of the bedroom doorways. And if one detector isn’t within 10 foot of all bedrooms, you’ll need multiple detectors. Additionally, fire code requires smoke detectors to be within the same 10 foot distance. The biggest mistake in placement is the height off the floor the carbon monoxide detectors are located.
Most people are aware that smoke rises. Therefore, smoke detectors should be mounted on the ceiling. However, the same people also assume that the carbon monoxide detectors should also be located up high. And that’s where the mistake is. You see, carbon monoxide is a heavy gas. If carbon monoxide starts to build up, it starts at floor level. If the carbon monoxide detector is on the ceiling, by the time it goes off it’s too late. The people in the building are probably dead.
Some manufacturers make a combination unit which will detect both smoke and carbon monoxide If you have one of these, throw it away. It’s impossible for a combination unit to be located properly.
Please make sure that your carbon monoxide detectors are located below head level when you are sleeping, because this could save your life. One of my greatest wishes in life is to receive a call where someone says “thank you for saving my life”.
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