Carbon Monoxide Detector

[Ted in Ne-OH]

Where is the best place to place a Carbon Monoxide detector, low or high? Is Carbon Monoxide lighter or heavier than air? How many are needed in a two story house?
 

[Forge Farmer]

CO is heavier than air. Current code (at least where i live) is one on each level of the house, including the basement. Basically, put one close to sources of CO ie garages, furnaces, etc. CO is a result of combustion, so if you place them near the source, the rest of the house should be fine
 

[Paul Simmer]

Just the other day on a call in radio show a lady asked the same question. The heating and cooling guys said that carbon monoxide mixes with air and high or low didn't make a difference. What they did say was to place it near where you sleep instead of near the furnace or hot water heater.
 

[JOHNNYfromMI]

Very slightly lighter than air
CO has a molecular weight of 28 g/mol and a density in air of 1.145 g/l.



The density of air is 1.2 g/l. (Air is mostly N2, which is also almost exactly 28g/mol.)



So the carbon monoxide is very slightly lighter than air. It does tend to rise, but mostly it mixes in with the air, and any currents in the air at all will bring some of it down to where the detector can detect it.



So they can build detectors that simply plug into the wall. There should be almost no carbon monoxide in the air most of the time, so they can set the sensitivity very low. The sensors will go off before there's enough CO in the air to hurt you.

One must remember..these home owned detectors have a life expectancy of 5 years max.
 

[CJ in MI]

Low or high doesn't matter. CO is almost 'neutral',as in not heavy (propane) and sink, or light and rise to the top, it mixes. 1 centraly located on each level is good, just so you can hear it from evey where, ecspecialy if you are hard to wake up. I'm glad you're putting some up, they are as important, if not more so than smoke/fire, I like to see both. Chip,in the HVAC biz, former FF, First Responder and preacher about CO to those that will listen.
 

[CJ in MI]

Sorry,I got side tracked typing, wouldn't have repeated you. Side tracked to easy, LOL.
 

[guido]

Hello Ted in Ne-OH,
The detector should be about 7 ft. form the floor in the center of the level.
One detector for each level of the house, including the basement.
Guido.
 

[markiz41]

Don't forget these things have expiration dates. Some have a built in sound reminder, but basically change them every 6-7 years.