How to test a carbon monoxide alarm??

gas4you

Don't use those test sprays, they will shorten the life of the co cell in the alarm. Each time co is sprayed on it it wears out the sensor a bit more.

All they do is make you buy more co alarms.

christina22

newbie007 wrote: »

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.

My boiler gas flame has always been blue, but last week my carbon monoxide alarm alerted me that there was a huge leak of over 130. The emergency gas call-out guy told me to get a engineer in & the engineer found a huge leak at one of the seals. I was told a sooty deposit above the boiler was a sign of a leak. Please look out for this even if your flame is blue.

My boiler was very old but was serviced 18 months ago - where nothing detremental was picked up.

I've now had a new condensing boiler fitted but I'm struggling with the Multifit electronic digital timer - I need more time to digest the instructions - any help would be appreciated!

I urge everyone with a gas appliance to buy a carbon monoxide alarm.

gas4you

christina22 wrote: »

I urge everyone with a gas appliance to buy a carbon monoxide alarm.

Why does everyone associate CO with gas appliances?

CO is a possible danger with ANY fossil fueled appliance.

maisiescamp

gas4you wrote: »

Why does everyone associate CO with gas appliances?

CO is a possible danger with ANY fossil fueled appliance.

Thank you for stating this, I was about to say something very similar.

My mum had no gas in her house but died in her sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning last year from her wood burning stove.

She had Carbon Monoxide alarms fitted and the test button worked HOWEVER the element that detects carbon monoxide only lasts 5/6 years which she didn't know.

So athough the test button worked, the power light was on, it still didn't detect the Carbon Monoxide in her house.

Please replace them every 5/6 years dependent on what model/make you have.

macman

My CO alarm has a prominent (manufacturer's) sticker on it giving the date after which it must be replaced. I assumed that they all did?
I wonder how many people have set fire to their houses while 'testing' their smoke alarms with real flames?

bryanb

muckybutt wrote: »

Think you meant Monoxide !

Yes, thanks quite right, mon it is.
Dioxide would stimulate breathing to such an extent that it may fall off the perch, but that's not the point.