Carbon monoxide is an invisible assassin. It’s virtually imperceptible to humans because it has no color, no smell and no taste. So, if there were high levels of this toxic gas in your home, you wouldn’t notice it.
Every year, thousands of people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Most of these people didn’t have a CO detector in their homes. If you don’t want that to happen to you, you should install a detection system at home.
Installing carbon monoxide detectors isn’t as difficult as it seems. However, you need to consider some important things before doing so. In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know to install CO detectors in the proper way.
What is Carbon Monoxide Detector?
It’s an electronic device that serves to detect high concentrations of CO in the environment. In the current market there are 3 main types of CO detectors:
- Electrochemical
- Metal oxide semiconductor
- Biometric
Biometric sensors use a CO sensitive disc that changes color when directly exposed to the gas. When this happens, an alarm begins to sound. After this, home members must open doors and windows for the CO to escape. The higher the CO concentration, the darker the disc gets.
Metal oxide semiconductor sensors use silica chips to detect CO. When the circuit comes into contact with the gas, a disturbance is generated in the current transmission. When this happens, an alarm begins to sound.
Electrochemical sensors work the same way as metal oxide semiconductor sensors. However, instead of using chips, they use electrodes. When the electrodes are exposed to the gas, the current transmission varies. Then, an alarm sounds.
How to Install Carbon Monoxide Detector
To get the most out of your CO detectors, you must install them in the right places. For example, they must be near the rooms to be heard by all family members. However, it isn’t recommended to install them:
- Within 15 feet from stoves, ovens and any other appliances that generate fire.
- Close to humid areas.
- Under furniture.
- Close to ventilation ducts.
- In outdoor spaces, exposed to UV rays.
Step by Step Guide to Place Carbon Monoxide Detector
Installing a carbon monoxide detector is a piece of cake. You just need the right tools and take a look at the user manual. Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to do it. You’ll also find a detailed list of the materials and tools you’ll need.
Materials and Tools
- Batteries
- Hammer
- Wall punch
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
The Procedure
Well, now I am going to show you the full procedure. Hope it will works fine for you. But if you face any problem, feel free to contact us.
1 First of all, choose the right place where your CO detector will be installed. Follow the previous recommendations in this article to do so. 2 After that, take a look at the user manual of the product. There, you’ll verify if it requires batteries, alternating current or a combination of both. 3 Then, place the sensor on the wall and mark with a pencil the points where the fasteners will go. 4 After that, make holes in the wall using a wall punch and a hammer. Then, use the hammer to install the plastic anchors on the wall. 5 Partially screw the fasteners into the plastic anchors on the wall. 6 Then, install the batteries of the sensor (if required). 7 After that, place the detector on the wall. Make sure the fastener get inside the rear holes of the sensor case. 8 Then, tighten the screws to fix the sensor in place. 9 Finally, press the test button to verify that the sensor works well.Conclusion
It’s certainly important to have CO detectors at home. Especially if there are a lot of fire-emitting devices on the property. Before installing your sensors, make sure to follow the tips in this guide to get the best results. Don’t forget to do a quick test of the product after installation. If the sensor doesn’t work, return the product and demand a replacement.