Where’s your Carbon Monoxide Detector located?
Carbon Monoxide Detector Location
I have a goal which is to save your life. However, I need to ask you a question first. Here’s the question – where is your carbon monoxide detector located?
Quite often, I see that the detector of this odorless, colorless gas isn’t in the right spot. Let me explain where should be, and why.
We go into many homes, probably at least 100 every month. I always look for the location of the carbon monoxide detectors. Why? Because I can’t help myself, and most of the time I see that they’re not located properly.
Where Should They Be?
Many people think they should be near the furnace. That’s not a bad location, but it’s not the most important. Yet others think the carbon monoxide detectors should be located near the bedrooms. And that’s a better answer. In fact, fire code requires one within 10 foot of each bedroom doorway. And sometimes you’ll need multiple detectors to meet that requirement.. However, the biggest mistake I see is in how high off the floor the carbon monoxide detectors are located.
How High Should They Be?
Most people are aware that smoke rises. Consequently, smoke detectors should be mounted on the ceiling. The same people assume that since the smoke detector is mounted up high, the carbon monoxide detectors should be there also. And that’s where people make their mistake.
Smoke rises. But carbon monoxide is a heavy gas, and it starts to build up at the floor level. If carbon monoxide reaches a on the ceiling, it’s probably too late. It was nice knowing you. The proper location is below your head level when you’re in bed. Use 16″ off the floor as a guideline. Guess what? That’s about the height of the standard wall receptacle. Get an electric one and plug it in.
Some manufacturers make a detector which detects both smoke and carbon monoxide. Based upon what I’ve told you, can a combo detector be mounted at the proper height? No – that’s impossible. If you have a combo detector, the only proper location is in the garbage.
Bottom Line
And this is how I’m trying to save your life. I make a speech about this to people at least twice a week. To date, I’ve received one call from someone. They said they moved it lower on my recommendation, and it went off. I guess it worked because they were alive to call me. But I want more calls . Please, make sure that your carbon monoxide detectors are located properly. It may just save your life
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