How to test a carbon monoxide alarm??

newbie007_2

Ok I put the alarm right above the gas cooker and turn on the gas without lighting it and after more than 30secs nothing happens, the alarm didnt go off. I switched off the gas as the fumes were building up.

I know there is a button to test the battery and if it's working etc but i want to test what it's designed for, am i doing the test wrong or have I got a faulty alarm?

ic

A carbon monoxide alarm does not test for a gas leak, it tests for carbon monoxide which will only be present if your gas appliance is faulty - i.e. not burning cleanly due to insufficient oxygen. If you have a blue flame all is good, if you have a yellow flame there is not enough oxygen. Carbon monoxide has no smell, hence you need an alarm to identify it (left long enough, if awake you'd feel drowsy, if asleep you just won't wake up...). Gas has the smell added so that you detect it yourself - hence no need for alarms for gas leaks.

Mojisola

If you've got a garage, open the outside door and start the car. Have your alarm at the back of the car. There should be enough carbon monoxide given off to set the alarm going.

newbie007_2

Clearly I was very wrong in what its function is, but thanks to u guys I now know what it's exactly designed for. My gas flame has always been blue so that is good then.
I thought I get one as extra safety kit for the home even though I was wrong in its purpose, nevertheless it's still a safety feature worth having. I haven't got a garage to
test it, but I will keep that in mind if I ever have a garage, thanks.

newbie007_2

andrew-b wrote: »

What's wrong with the test button?

Test button works fine, nothing wrong. As I want to test it in the way to actually test a smoke alarm like putting the smoke alarm in the kitchen with lots of smoke to set it off. Like I said I wasnt clued up on the function of a carbon monoxide alarm, did the wrong test.

Mojisola

newbie007 wrote: »

I haven't got a garage to test it, but I will keep that in mind if I ever have a garage, thanks.

You can start your car in the street and hold the alarm by the exhaust but your neighbours might think you're weird!

MX5huggy

Have a candle burning all the time that will detect any gas leak.

bryanb

A canary will indicate the presence of carbon dioxide by falling off it's perch. But it won't make a noise to alert you.

optimus_primera

bryanb wrote: »

A canary will indicate the presence of carbon dioxide by falling off it's perch. But it won't make a noise to alert you.

Could you not get it to fall off its perch onto a whoopee cushion? that'd make a niose.

27col

You're all just being silly now. It is quite obvious that the answer is to use a sniffer dog.

muckybutt

bryanb wrote: »

A canary will indicate the presence of carbon dioxide by falling off it's perch ( or farting loudly ! ). But it won't make a noise to alert you.

Think you meant Monoxide !

Monoxide test sprays are available as are canned smoke for smoke alarms, one such supplier is http://www.arctic-products.co.uk/product_list2.asp?cat1=48&cat2=19
I have seen other manufacturers as well.