What characteristics will a good Co detector possess?
What characteristics will a good Co detector possess?
See that the electronic sensor you buy is certified to British Standards and has a noisy alarm. Such alarms have long lasting batteries (five years) and the alarm is tripped when abnormal levels of Carbon Monoxide are detected enabling people to escape the area. Battery powered models with electronic detection are better than the paper based models which use chemical responses to show a spot on a cardboard detector that changes colour when Carbon Monoxide Gas levels have increased. Chemical electronic sensors have 6 month lifetimes and are not cost effective in the long run as they have to be replaced often. Most importantly the lack of an audible alarm means that this type of detector will not wake you is there is an excess of Co produced when you are asleep at night. In addition to do it yourself stores carrying these sensors you may be able to purchase an approved model from your utility company.
Can I buy a Co detector ?
Carbon Monoxide detectors can be very effective early warning devices alerting families of rising Carbon Monoxide Gas levels. Several types of detector are now becoming available in DIY shops and the supermarket chains. Carbon Monoxide Gas electronic detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of Co over time. Carbon Monoxide electronic detectors are not yet as reliable as the smoke detectors in your home but the technology is becoming more reliable and they are an important early warning mechanism. You should always ensure you have a proper maintenance schedule for your appliances, having a Co detector does not enable you to save on regular appliance servicing.
Check your Carbon Monoxide electronic detectors frequently
As with all safety equipment a detector should be checked throughout the year to make sure that it is working effectively. electronic sensors should come with instructions detailing the steps to take to check the effective functioning of the detector. Test Carbon Monoxide alarms at least once a month and change them according to the service instructions if found to be defective. Do not assume that any ‘test’ button tests the detector, often this functionality only checks the battery and the audible alarm. You should note when the detector needs to be replaced, some have an operating life of only 48 months. Some models of detector have lifespans up to 5 years some are mains powered, others are battery powered. You should shop around to select the model that meets your needs. Some sensors incorporate smoke detection and also Co gas detection. They will have their own installation instructions which you should follow closely.
Installing a Co detector
Carbon Monoxide kills through the ongoing absorption of the gas and the gradual reduction of the body’s ability to absorb oxygen. Fitting Co detectors can give your household early warning of rising Co levels so that they can escape to fresh air. The levels at which Carbon Monoxide Gas detectors are triggered are measured against the level of gas that would start to harm a healthy adult. As such you need to act quickly when children could have been exposed to the emissions as they can be harmed by lower levels of the gas. Carbon Monoxide Gas electronic detectors have installation requirements separate from those of smoke sensors and do not need to be set up at the top of a wall or on the ceiling. You need a Carbon Monoxide Gas detector to wake you whilst sleeping if Co is detected so detectors should be sited where the alarm can be heard from the bedrooms.