All Carbon Monoxide Detectors

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that is extremely harmful to humans and animals. Carbon monoxide (CO) is created as a by-product of incomplete combustion of fuels containing carbon such as wood, gas, oil, etc. It occurs, if boiler flues are getting blocked, chimneys close up or if gas flames are not correctly adjusted. Even a slight increase in carbon monoxide levels can have serious health implications, therefore you should get a carbon monoxide detector to find out if you have CO in your building. If your detector goes off, switch off all fuel burning appliances, open all windows and leave the building. You then need to call your gas provider.

What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of a cold or flu, such as a headache, nausea, dizziness, sore throat and dry cough. The seriousness of CO poisoning depends on the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and the duration of exposure.

• At 50ppm (parts per million): an exposure for longer than 30 minutes will start to affect your health.
• At 200ppm: you will likely experience a slight headache after 2-3 hours.
• At 400ppm: you will likely experience a strong frontal headache, becoming widespread after 3 hours.
• At 800ppm: you will likely experience dizziness, nausea, convulsions - unconscious after 2 hours.

Who needs a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

There is no way of the human body detecting carbon monoxide, and just small amounts of exposure to CO can impact your health. Therefore, if you have any fuel burning appliances, you should have a carbon monoxide detector to protect yourself and your family.

Landlords are required to provide carbon monoxide detectors where there are gas burning appliances. "Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers)."

Where do you place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

You should place a carbon monoxide detector within 1-3 metres of a fuel burning appliance to detect if carbon monoxide is getting released. Avoid placing carbon monoxide alarms near windows and doors, in bathrooms and on ceilings. Carbon monoxide alarms need to be kept away from dust, steam and exposure to air flow / weather to ensure the alarm stays in good condition and continue to detect carbon monoxide when present.

Why does my Carbon Monoxide Detector beep?

A carbon monoxide detector will beep if it detects carbon monoxide in the air. If your carbon monoxide alarm is beeping, switch off all fuel burning appliances, open all windows and leave the building. Even little exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to health issues, so you want to get out of the building as soon as possible.