Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Why You Need A Detector

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that forms from incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural or liquefied petroleum gas, oil, wood or coal.

A disconnected gas hot water heater exhaust flue allowing exhaust to enter the home instead of being expelled outside.

When CO is inhaled, it displaces oxygen and can cause suffocation. CO can poison slowly over a period of several hours, even in low concentrations. Sensitive organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs, suffer the most from a lack of oxygen. However, high concentrations of carbon monoxide can kill in less than five minutes.

Potential Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Any fuel-burning appliances which are malfunctioning or improperly installed can be a source of CO, such as:

• furnaces

• stoves and ovens

• water heaters 

• dryers 

• room and space heaters

• gas fireplaces and wood stoves

• charcoal grills

• automobiles

• clogged chimneys or flues

• disconnected flues

• space heaters
  

  
  

  

  A gas furnace with an open panel showing internal burners, components, and wiring for maintenance or inspection purposes.

  
  
  
  

CO Detector Placement

So where should CO detectors be to protect you and your family? Let's start by looking at where they shouldn't be:

• directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up

• within 15 feet of heating and cooking appliances, or in or near very humid areas, such as bathrooms

• within 5 feet of kitchen stoves and ovens, or near areas locations where household chemicals and bleach are stored (store such chemicals away from bathrooms and kitchens, whenever possible)

• in garages, kitchens, furnace rooms, or in any extremely dusty, dirty, humid, or greasy areas

• in direct sunlight, or in areas subjected to temperature extremes. These include unconditioned crawlspaces, unfinished attics, un-insulated or poorly insulated ceilings, and porches

• in turbulent air near ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, fresh-air returns, or open windows. Blowing air may prevent carbon monoxide from reaching the CO sensors.
  

Do place CO detectors:

• within 10 feet of each bedroom door and near all sleeping areas, where it can wake sleepers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recommend that every home have at least one carbon monoxide detector for each floor of the home, and within hearing range of each sleeping area

• on every floor of your home, including the basement (source:  International Association of Fire Chiefs/IAFC)

• near or over any attached garage. Carbon monoxide detectors are affected by excessive humidity and by close proximity to gas stoves (source:  City of New York)

• near, but not directly above, combustion appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces, and in the garage (source:  UL); and

on the ceiling in the same room as permanently installed fuel-burning appliances, and centrally located on every habitable level, and in every HVAC zone of the building (source:  National Fire Protection Association 720). This rule applies to commercial buildings.

Smoke and CO alarm placement locations

With BRanch Inspections you don't have to worry about finding the little or even the big things in your new or existing home. My in-depth inspections will find the issues you need to know about, like structural, electrical, and plumbing, all the way down to the smaller items like smoke and CO detectors, so you can make informed decisions to save you money and keep you and your family safe. Call today for more information or scheduling!

*Some text and images used with permission from www.nachi.org