Where should I install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?

You need to be able to hear your CO Alarm!

When you chose where to install your Carbon Monoxide Alarm, you must remeber that you should be able to hear its shrill alarm in case of emergency.  Some houses may benefit fromthe installation of more than one alarm.  If you only install one alarm, place it near a bedroom so that it can be heard when you are asleep.  Do not install the alarm in a cellar or boiler room where it will not be heard.

The British Standards Institute produces a Code of Practice (BS EN 50292) on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of CO alarms.  It says that "It is not possible to give specific guidance on the exact location of a CO detector."  It suggests that if it is mounted on the ceiling, it should be at least 300 mm from any wall.  If mounted on the wall, it should be at least 150 mm from the ceiling but above the height of doors or windows.

If the alarm in fiited in the same room as the appliance, it should be installed between 1m and 3 m (as measured horizontally) from the appliance.

It is quite clear that Carbon Monoxide alarms should NOT be fitted in the following locations:

• Where it can be obstructed by furniture.
• Above a sink or basin.
• Next to a door or window.
• Next to an air vent, extractor fan or similar.
• In very cold or hot rooms below - 5 C or above 40 C
• In any enclosed space or cupboard.