Best Place for Carbon Monoxide Detector

anotheruser

I know it's recommended to get one in every room that has a fuel burning device.

We have an open fire and an old boiler (15 years + by the look of it). I'm thinking more the boiler, and thus placing it in the kitchen would be good?

For reference, we only have one smoke alarm (again, pretty old but still works) at the top of the stairs. We're probably going to get another for the back area of the house too.

FreeBear

One to three metres away from the source of combustion and out of the way of any incoming draughts. I have sited mine roughly half way up the wall within two metres of a recently installed wood burner.

shaun_from_Africa

anotheruser wrote: »

For reference, we only have one smoke alarm (again, pretty old but still works) at the top of the stairs.

How old is "pretty old"?
Smoke detectors generally have an estimated useful life of about 10 years as the ionisation (detection) unit starts to degrade after this time.
Testing the alarm using the built in test button generally only tests the battery, sounder and power circuits and not the actual detection unit itself.

anotheruser

Erm, I'd say it might be pushing that 7 years old.

It's beige instead of white... although I guess that might just be smokers tar? I will have to look and see if there's a date on it. The replacement I might be able to get my hands on doesn't plug in to the house electrics, where as the old one does.

phil24_7

anotheruser wrote: »

Erm, I'd say it might be pushing that 7 years old.

It's beige instead of white... although I guess that might just be smokers tar? I will have to look and see if there's a date on it. The replacement I might be able to get my hands on doesn't plug in to the house electrics, where as the old one does.

That doesn't matter too much. The ones with the in built batter should be replaced when the battery dies (around 10 years unless it has had too many false alarms) so they will be fine.

phil24_7

In answer to your question. You should have a CO alarm in every room that has a fuel burning appliance, or if one of these is in a bathroom then the room or hall just outside this. Each alarm will come with instructions indicating where they can and cannot be placed.

A fire alarm on the landing and one in the hall (1 on each habitable level) is also a worthwhile exercise.

A heat alarm in kitchens, garages, cellars, attics may also be beneficial depending on what you use these areas for and whether there are any sources of ignition.

Regards
Phil