Monitor Installation
Where to Install and how to Buy a CO Monitor
Homeowners should remember not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, or with in fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances, or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms. When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air (carbon monoxide's specific gravity is 0.9657, as stated by the EPA; the National Resource Council lists the specific gravity of air as one), it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air. A typical plug in or battery operated carbon monoxide detectors is readily available at most hardware stores in the $20 - $30 range.
In general, placing the detector close to the potential source of, where the concentrations of CO will be the highest. Any CO leak substantial enough to set off the detector should be repaired immediately. In terms of installation height, any location is fine. CO mixes easily with other gasses in the atmosphere, so CO would be found relatively at all heights. The biggest factor would be the distance from the source. It is important to put the detector at a convenient height for replacing the batteries.
When shopping for a CO detector, don't go by price alone. Make sure the monitor has a long-term warranty and meets the standards of Underwriters Laboratories, an organization that tests various products for safety and drafts guidelines for proper use. (Look for the agency's seal of approval -- a "UL" in a circle -- on the outside packaging for assurance that a product is in compliance with the safety guidelines.) The guidelines also require an alarm to sound when exposure to CO reaches potentially dangerous levels over a period of time.
Depending on the size of your house or apartment, one monitor may not be enough. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing a CO detector in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Detectors should also be standard equipment for recreational vehicles and enclosed motorboats.
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