Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that results from incomplete burning of fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, wood, coal and gasoline. What makes it especially dangerous is that it is colorless and odorless. Each year many people die from accidental CO poisoning and thousands more are injured. Thankfully there are many products out there now which help with early detection of CO, allowing you and whoever else is around to get out the building immediately. Let’s take a look at what CO does, and how we can help to detect and prevent it!
Signs Of CO Poisoning
CO is a silent killer. CO poisoning happened when inhaled molecules of CO attach to the hemoglobin in your blood. These are the molecules responsible for transporting oxygen to the brain. when you breath in too much CO you are depriving your brain (and the rest of your body) oxygen which causes you to suffocate. The first symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
If you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning or if your CO alarm is sounding, contact your fire department and leave the building immediately. CO poisoning is not something to mess around with. Depending on the concentration levels of CO in the air it can take mere minutes to kill an adult human being. If you suspect CO poisoning, get out of wherever you are ASAP.
Where To Install Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors are required to be located on every level of a home or dwelling unit including habitable portions of basements and attics. On levels with sleeping areas the alarms must be placed within ten feet of the bedroom doors.
The correct height at which to install a carbon monoxide detector is knee height on the wall, since when you lie down, your head is at that level. This offers protection while sleeping, which is when you are most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Try not to install a detector above or beside any fuel burning appliance. These appliances may emit small amounts of CO on startup and can cause mis-readings on the detectors.
What Kinds of CO Alarms Are Allowed
When we say allowed, we mean “under Massachusetts state law, these COdetectors are permitted”. All permitted CO detectors have undergone third party, independent testing and held to a strict standard for a pass/fail.
- battery powered with battery monitoring
- Plug-in (AC powered) units with battery back up
- AC primary power (hard-wired) with battery back up
- low-voltage or wireless alarms with secondary power; and
- qualified combination smoke detectors and CO alarms
Acceptable combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must have simulated voice and tone alarms that clearly distinguish between the two types of emergencies.
Combination Detectors
Modern home safety has come a long way. Combination smoke and CO detectors have been on the market for several years and work just as well as a single function detector. These work great for areas of the house where smoke detectors must legally be installed. In Massachusetts smoke detectors must be located on every level of house and follow the following parameters:
▪ On the ceiling at the base of each stairway.
▪ On the ceiling outside of each separate sleeping area.
▪ The smoke detectors may either be battery powered, hardwired or a combination of the two.
▪ If the smoke detector is located within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower), the smoke detector will be required to be a photoelectric detector.
▪ If the smoke detector is outside of 20 feet of a kitchen or a bathroom (containing a bathtub or shower) you must utilize either:
▪ A dual detector (containing both ionization and photoelectric technologies); OR
▪ Two separate detectors (one photoelectric and one ionization).
Recommended Detectors
There are many different detectors on the market, but which ones work and which ones don’t? At Koopman Lumber we have a wide variety of detectors so we’ve gotten to know them pretty well. Here are our top 3:
| First Alert Voice CO Alarm | First Alert Plug in Detector With Battery Backup | First Alert Combination Smoke and CO Combination Detector |
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Each one of these detectors was hand picked by our onsite experts, guaranteeing that you and your family are safe. Click on any of the above alarms to learn more.
Wrap Up
CO detectors are important for you and your family to be safe inside your home. CO is a deadly gas that can strike at any time. If you have any questions or need to outfit your house with new or better CO detectors then visit us online at http://www.koopmanlumber.com and reach out to us or find the store nearest you.
