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.
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