There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room. According to the carbon monoxide guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 720, 2005 edition), all carbon monoxide alarms “shall
be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms,” and each alarm “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.” Why CO alarms are often installed near the floor Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that’s near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that
shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it’s easy to read. Why you shouldn’t install a CO alarm near heating or cooking appliances Also keep in mind 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 carbon monoxide detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as
bathrooms. For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association. Was this helpful? How can we improve it? Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas produced when you don’t completely burn off fuels like wood, oil, natural gas, propane, coal, or kerosene. It causes harmful side effects if inhaled and can even cause death. Owning a carbon monoxide detector is just as important as having a smoke detector, and it may save your life one day. We’ll tell you all about carbon monoxide and even help you figure out where to put your CO detector in this guide. Where should you place a carbon monoxide detector?Carbon monoxide is lighter than air. It also rises with warm air, so the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends placing a carbon monoxide detector on a wall about five feet above the floor or about eye level. You can put them on the ceiling, too. So, where is the ideal carbon monoxide detector placement?
When installing a carbon monoxide detector, make sure you:
What should you do if your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm?If your CO detector sounds, you should immediately open windows and doors to allow fresh air inside and turn off any fuel-burning appliances. Then, grab your family and pets and leave the dwelling. Once you’re outside and safe, call the fire department. If anyone in your family is sick or experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, take them to an emergency room or call 9-1-1. Doctors may need to treat them with oxygen. What gives off carbon monoxide?Burning charcoal, running a car, and even cigarette smoke produce carbon monoxide. However, if your appliances are maintained and used correctly, they should typically only have trace amounts of carbon monoxide gas. It’s essential to know some common sources of CO, so you can keep an eye on those items in your home and ensure their proper maintenance and upgrading. Common sources of CO include:
How is carbon monoxide measured?Carbon monoxide is measured by parts per million (ppm), from 0 to 1000 ppm. The EPA considers 9-ppm over 8 hours to be standard or 35-ppm over 1 hour. A good rule of thumb is that the CO levels inside your home should match levels outside. To find this number, check your city and current air quality; CO readings should be specified. Carbon monoxide levels tend to be lower in rural areas compared to urban ones. For example, in Orlando, Florida, CO levels in 2020 were less than 1-ppm over 8 hours, well below the 9-ppm standard. Carbon monoxide levels and their symptoms:Symptoms are directly related to both the CO level and length of exposure. You should also consider a person’s health. Someone with lung problems or chronic heart problems may experience symptoms more rapidly. Additionally, the build-up of carbon monoxide gas over a specific time is what sets off the alarm. For example, carbon monoxide levels would have to be at 100-ppm for 10-20 minutes or 400-ppm for a few minutes for the alarm to detect carbon gas. Most healthy adults don’t show symptoms under 50-ppm.
400-ppm: Physical gas leak symptoms worsen in healthy adults within 1-2 hours, especially headaches. After three hours of exposure at this level, CO poisoning becomes life-threatening. Alarms will sound within 15 minutes.
800-ppm: Healthy adults start showing increased signs of nausea, dizziness, and convulsions—within 45 minutes--then lack conscience, and brain damage or death could occur. Since many healthy adults may not experience initial symptoms at 50-ppm, it’s essential to take any carbon monoxide sensor alert seriously to treat gas leak symptoms immediately. Tips to protect your home from dangerous levels of carbon monoxide:Since so many household appliances produce carbon monoxide gas, you should keep these items in clean working order. Here are a few tips on how to properly preserve these home appliances: DO:
DON’T:
Help protect your home from dangerous levels of carbon monoxide with ADT.Carbon detector placement is just one crucial step in helping keep your home safe from CO poisoning. Knowing what produces CO in your home means that you can continue to maintain those appliances and be diligent about gas levels in your home. At ADT, we’re here to help. Our 24/7 professional monitoring services alert you and the police when dangerous CO levels are detected in your home—even when you’re asleep or out of town. Frequently Asking Questions about Carbon Monoxide DetectorsCan you smell carbon monoxide? No. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, so you don’t typically smell it. What carbon monoxide levels will sound an alarm? UL-certified carbon monoxide detectors should alert you to prolonged levels of 50-ppm. Does a product that uses propane contain carbon monoxide? Yes. Items that use propane, gas or natural gas, oil, coal, and wood all produce levels of CO. How to test a CO detector? To test the batteries in your sensor, simply press the test button. You should do this about once a month. Typical carbon monoxide alarm life? Batteries in a carbon monoxide detector can last for about 5-7 years. What are the common gas leak symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and death. Should you place CO detectors on the ceilings or walls? Like a smoke detector, you can place a carbon monoxide sensor on either the walls or the ceiling. Where should a carbon monoxide detector be installed?At a minimum, industry experts recommend a CO alarm be installed on each level of the home -- ideally on any level with fuel burning appliances and outside of sleeping areas. Additional CO alarms are recommended 5-20 feet from sources of CO such as a furnace, water heater or fireplace.
Does carbon monoxide rise or stay low?There are three things that make carbon monoxide extremely dangerous: 1) The molecules of carbon monoxide are so small, they can easily travel through drywall; 2) Carbon monoxide doesn't sink or rise – it mixes easily with the air inside a home; 3) It is an odorless gas, so without an alarm to notify you that it is in ...
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