Testing a CO Detector
- Thread starter Rockslinger
- Start date
"Not actually detecting real CO anymore" is the scary part, especially as we are getting deeper into the heating season. (Did you hear about that family killed by CO because a family of squirrels blocked their chimney?) The other thing to check is the fire extinguisher (or do you guys all have sprinklers?). I had to use my fire extinguisher a few years ago in a life or death situation.
Can I suggest at least 2 CO detectors and place then not more than 20" above the floor. CO is heavier than air. CO detectors placed near smoke detectors are useless.
Also you need smoke detectors in all rooms and halls.
The instructions for my detector says to NOT test it by exposing it to CO. This will damage the sensor and it will not work any longer.
Sort of like testing one-time flash bulbs by taking a picture with them.
Sort of like testing one-time flash bulbs by taking a picture with them.
This is interesting. If CO is heavier than air and "hugs" close to floor level, is there really a risk that it can rise to the first floor living room and second floor bedrooms from the basement furnace room?
It replaces the air and will fill the house.
Keep in mind the CO leak that kills did not develop an hour ago unless it is from a fire place. Then the volume of CO is higher.
I am a firefighter... There's a few mistakes in this thread that I'd really like to clear up...
CO has a density of about .97, compared to air's 1.0 - it mixes essentially evenly with air, doesn't pool low, or rise high, so the height of the detector doesn't really matter. You do want it in an area that does experience air flow, however, not tucked right into a corner...
Testing a CO detector by exposing it to large amounts of CO will wreck it - the sensor will be over saturated, and will be out of calibration, if it works at all.
The only approved way to test most residential CO detectors is with the test button... There is a special gas used to calibrate and test industrial gas detectors, such as the ones we (firefighters) and other utilities (gas company, etc) use.
Most detectors have a life span of 7 years, and should be replaced at least that often (if not every 5).
It's suggested not to put a CO detector right beside the furnace and/or hot water heater, to prevent nuisance alarms; but at a distance of 10' or greater.
Some newer detectors are combo CO and Natural Gas/Propane detectors - they also detect other hydrocarbons, such as Tolulene, Methane, etc; while I really doubt a fart (no matter how impressive) could release enough methane to set one off - it is, I guess, in theory, possible.
CO has a density of about .97, compared to air's 1.0 - it mixes essentially evenly with air, doesn't pool low, or rise high, so the height of the detector doesn't really matter. You do want it in an area that does experience air flow, however, not tucked right into a corner...
Testing a CO detector by exposing it to large amounts of CO will wreck it - the sensor will be over saturated, and will be out of calibration, if it works at all.
The only approved way to test most residential CO detectors is with the test button... There is a special gas used to calibrate and test industrial gas detectors, such as the ones we (firefighters) and other utilities (gas company, etc) use.
Most detectors have a life span of 7 years, and should be replaced at least that often (if not every 5).
It's suggested not to put a CO detector right beside the furnace and/or hot water heater, to prevent nuisance alarms; but at a distance of 10' or greater.
Some newer detectors are combo CO and Natural Gas/Propane detectors - they also detect other hydrocarbons, such as Tolulene, Methane, etc; while I really doubt a fart (no matter how impressive) could release enough methane to set one off - it is, I guess, in theory, possible.
My old CO detector was plugged in a receptacle (until I accidentally killed it on Friday) in the furnace room about 4' from the gas furnace and about 10' from the gas water heater. Never had a nuisance alarm in 12 years (should have replaced the CO detector after 7 years).
you should have a CO alarm in your living space and near where you sleep, no sense having it where you might not hear it. if you only have one, put it near your bedrooms. replace it when the warranty expires or within the time frame suggested in the manufacturer's instructions if they suggest a time. i'd write the replacement date on the back of the detector since you may lose track of the man' instructions.
oh yeah, you also require a smoke alarm on every floor level in your house now, it's a fairly new requirement in ontario.
oh yeah, you also require a smoke alarm on every floor level in your house now, it's a fairly new requirement in ontario.
Questions:
1) Has a smoke and/or a CO detector ever saved your life or the life of someone you know?
2) Is it true that a dog is the best smoke and CO detector?
A smoke and CO detector has never saved my life or someone I know but a FIRE EXTINGUISHER saved my late mother's life or prevented much more serious injury.
1) Has a smoke and/or a CO detector ever saved your life or the life of someone you know?
2) Is it true that a dog is the best smoke and CO detector?
A smoke and CO detector has never saved my life or someone I know but a FIRE EXTINGUISHER saved my late mother's life or prevented much more serious injury.
OK - Maybe a little biased, given my profession; but I've met MANY, MANY people that are alive because of smoke detectors... And more then a few that are alive because of CO detectors.
Er.. no that is CO2... CO is MUCH more dangerous then CO2, but enought of either will kill u dead.
One recommended procedure that I saw, once, involved a candle and a fish-tank. Essentially, put the lighted candle and the CO-detector into the fish-tank, and create an air-tight seal. (Simply inverting the tank and placing it on a flat surface would likely work.)
You will likely need to replace the CO-detector after the test, as it won't be possible to tell if the test made the detector defective. You could test a detector with one of the variable number displays, so that you can stop the test at the first sign of CO. Oversaturating the detectors ruins them. The candle smoke won't do the detectors any good either.
It would be interesting to test a 5-year old detector that you were going to pitch anyway. The results would be informative.
You will likely need to replace the CO-detector after the test, as it won't be possible to tell if the test made the detector defective. You could test a detector with one of the variable number displays, so that you can stop the test at the first sign of CO. Oversaturating the detectors ruins them. The candle smoke won't do the detectors any good either.
It would be interesting to test a 5-year old detector that you were going to pitch anyway. The results would be informative.
oh yeah, CO is about the same density as air and tends to mix quite readily but the reason you may find it in the upper areas of the house in a higher concentration is that since the CO is an element of combustion gases, it is usually warmer than the ambient air and will rise.
so there.
so there.
Heavier than air, perhaps (I don't have a periodic table handy to do the calculations), but also very volatile so it can be hard to detect unless you are near a source. As the issue is effect on health however, it is probably good to have a detector near potential known sources, as well as in living areas.
Edit to say...see the Lazman post, ignore my guessing...
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