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Should a carbon monoxide alarm be mounted away from a gas fireplace or right above it?

sledski | Posted in General Questions on

Right now the alarm is set right above the fireplace, to me that seems to close for it to be.

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Dave,
    Here is the advice from http://www.homesafe.com/coalert/detect.htm :

    "If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provides extra protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

    "Homeowners should remember not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms."

  2. AlanB4 | | #2

    I've read that monoxide detectors use sensors that get fouled up with VOCs over time (one of the reasons they should be replaced every 10 years), and fireplaces generate quite a few VOCs
    Smoke detectors are apparently not nearly as vulnerable to VOC adsorption since they use a different type of sensor, however they should also be replaced every 10 years but for different reasons.

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