Where Should You Place Your Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home is one of the most responsible decisions we must make as homeowners. It is estimated that 4,000 people in the UK are hospitalised each year, with an average of 30 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Since 2015, it has become a legal requirement to have a carbon monoxide detector placed into rooms which have a solid fuel burning combustion appliance; however, as this odourless, colourless, poisonous gas can seep through walls, floors, and ceilings, it is recommended to have them spread throughout the home.

Where to Place Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

Deciding where to place your carbon monoxide detector can be just as important as having one installed in the first place. As we cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, it is virtually undetectable to humans until the damage has already been done. That is why having carbon monoxide detectors fitted around your home is imperative, especially homes with children or elderly people who are less likely to be able to fully recover from gas poisoning.

You can buy free-standing carbon monoxide detectors, or fixed ones which can be easily installed to a wall with just a few screws.

Best locations for Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

You should have at least one detector fitted on each floor of your house, with one being placed in any room containing a fuel-burning appliance such as a boiler, log-burning stove, or gas oven. For effective use, they should be placed at least one metre away from the appliance and around 15cm down from the ceiling. Carbon monoxide detectors need plenty of ventilation so should not be covered by furniture, and also given at least 30cm space from walls or other obstacles.

A carbon monoxide detector is useless if you cannot hear it when it alarms. Ensure that the detector is fitted where you can hear it throughout the day, and also at night while you are sleeping. We are at our most vulnerable when we are sleeping so if you do decide to only have one detector installed, it must be placed where everyone in the house can hear it should it go off. If you have a boiler in your attic, it is advised to have a detector in the attic itself, as well as one in the bedroom directly beneath it.

What Appliances Produce Carbon Monoxide?

So many of our household items produce carbon monoxide so it is important that we understand what can be hazardous, especially if the appliance is incorrectly used or faulty. Take a moment to carefully look through the following list to familiarise yourself with any potential threats:

● Clothes dryers

● Water heaters

● Furnaces or boilers

● Gas fireplaces

● Wood burning fireplaces / wood burning stoves

● Gas stoves / gas ovens

● Motor vehicles when parked in an indoor garage

● Grills, generators, power tools, and lawn equipment is kept in an indoor garage

Heavy tobacco smoke or open windows on main roads with heavy traffic can also falsely set off a carbon monoxide alarm, as can exposure to humidity or a low alarm battery. If you have any concerns regarding your carbon monoxide device, contact us immediately to have it serviced.

Corvee Services

Getting regular boiler and heating checks is one of the most important and responsible things you must do as a homeowner. So whether you are looking to book a service or repair, Corvee Services are just a call away.

For further information on any of our services, call our friendly team on 01536 680 920 or email info@corvee.co.uk. Alternatively, please complete thecontact form on our website and we will be in touch at a time to suit you.