Location of CO Detector

JohnSwift10

I live in Scotland and I am finally going to replace my smoke detectors and CO detector with linked detectors.

My combi boiler is in the old airing cupboard in the spare unused bedroom and at present the current CO detector is in the upstairs hall just outside the bedroom door, left over from when we had a warm air heating unit downstairs in a cupboard in the kitchen.

Should I place the new linked CO detector in the same place or in the bedroom or even the cupboard where the combi boiler is situated?

theoretica

It needs to be in the room with the relevant device - so not the hall. 

shiraz99

I would put it in the bedroom where the boiler is located. The detector needs to be in a place where someone is going to be affected by the build up of the carbon monoxide.

BUFF

Technically, you are currently in breach of the law - not just because of the lack of interlinking but the positioning of your existing CO detector (which does not need to be interlinked). You need a CO detector in every room with a carbon-fuelled appliance so you may require more than one e.g. if you have a gas hob in the kitchen.

shiraz99

BUFF said:

Technically, you are currently in breach of the law - not just because of the lack of interlinking but the positioning of your existing CO detector (which does not need to be interlinked).

I think the OP is fully aware of this hence why they mentioned installing interlinked alarms in their OP, and although the law came in in February this year there is flexibility around when people need to replace their systems.

BUFF

yes, but my thrust was regarding the location of the CO detector. The CO detector (presence & positioning)  requirement preceded the need for interlinking by several years.

ss2020jd

I have a freestanding carbon monoxide alarm that meets the required British Standards BS 50291. 

In addition to the advice already given, the regulations on the gov.uk website state: 

in general, carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.

It also says 

Where battery powered alarms are selected, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries are the better option.

BUFF

best,  imo,  to go with manufacturer recommended positioning for the particular device if possible (it will be in the instructions).

shiraz99

The rules regarding placement are all here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/fire-and-smoke-alarms-tolerable-standard-guidance/

BUFF

Indeed, which is why it contains "unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer" hence my earlier suggestion of going by the manufacturer's recommendation for that particular device.

BUFF

ss2020jd said:

I have a freestanding carbon monoxide alarm that meets the required British Standards BS 50291. 

In addition to the advice already given, the regulations on the gov.uk website state: 

in general, carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.

It also says 

Where battery powered alarms are selected, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries are the better option.

Alarms with replaceabe battery(ies) do not meet the Scottish legal requirement.