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Carbon Monoxide detector locations

Mac

Mac

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2009
Messages
716
Location
Hamilton, NY
The senior staff at the N. Y. State Division of Code Enforcement has determined that the outlets of a forced air heating system are considered a 'carbon monoxide source'. This would mean that the presence of a forced air heating outlet in a room means that room has a carbon monoxide source within it.

This means that every "sleeping unit" (a room or space in which people sleep) will henceforth need a CO alarm or detector.

Does your jurisdiction require CO alarms?

Just wondering...
 
Our new California Building Code requires them.....

CBC Section 420.4.3 "..........Carbon Monoxide alarms required by Sections 420.4.1 and 420.4.2 shall be installed in the following locations:

1. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s).

2. On every level of a dwelling unit including basements.

3. For R-1 only.

a. On the ceiling of sleeping units with permanently installed fuel-burning appliances.
 
State of Colorado passed legislation a couple years ago requiring them in new construction, interior work requiring a permit, for R-2's and IRC dwellings if they have an attached garage with openings into the dwelling, or fuel burning equipment.

Oh, also upon the sale or re-leasing of the structures listed above.

Within 15' of any sleeping room.
 
beach said:
Our new California Building Code requires them.....CBC Section 420.4.3 "..........Carbon Monoxide alarms required by Sections 420.4.1 and 420.4.2 shall be installed in the following locations:

1. Outside of each separate dwelling unit sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s).

2. On every level of a dwelling unit including basements.

3. For R-1 only.

a. On the ceiling of sleeping units with permanently installed fuel-burning appliances.
Click to expand...
Would the highest part of a vaulted sleeping area ceiling be the best location for a Carbon Monoxide alarm with permanently installed fuel-burning appliances?
 
Interesting determination from our fearless leaders. I will have to check the dos site and see if there is an interp/tech bulletin, or if there is not enough confidence to publish that one.

That being said, I don't know that it really changes much. Per R313.4.2 a CO alarm is required within 15' of every sleeping area if there is a CO source in the building. So if there is a gas furnace in the basement, CO alarms are required within 15' of the sleeping areas on the second floor. Having the interpreted "source" of the CO inside the sleeping area wouldn't change anything.

The only way I could see this changing anything would be a scenario such as no sleeping area on the first floor and no CO source on the first floor (no gas oven/cooktop/dryer/etc). The presence of an hvac outlet would require the installation of a CO alarm on this floor.
 
Would the highest part of a vaulted sleeping area ceiling be the best location for a Carbon Monoxide alarm with permanently installed fuel-burning appliances?
Click to expand...
CO is about the same weight/density as air
 
beach said:
CO is about the same weight/density as air
Click to expand...
Agreed, CO mixes readilly with air so the location of the CO detector can be either at the ceiling or close to the floor.

Utah requires 1 CO detector on each habitable level of a home.

Chris
 
While the density of normal air and CO is nearly the same, CO is typcially the byproduct of incomplete combustion. Exhuasted air tends to be warmer than normal air thus it rises much like smoke from a fire, grease vapors, and even the air in your shower that tends to lift the shower curtain. So, installing CO detectors / alarms in the same area as smoke alarms is usually adequate and effective.
 
Thank you Bryan. Folks CO is lighter than air. I agree with NFPA's standpoint and other jurisdictions who just require one on each level/zone since the rest is overkill that frankly.....I'm hurt that many have not lambashed the overkill in the name of applied costs to construction.
 
Carbon monoxide has nearly the same density as air.

You'll notice that the manufacturer's instructions that come with most detectors don't say high or low.

That's why plug in detectors also work...
 
Personally, as I have mentioned and substantiated here before regarding CO........ the issue is TOE (time over exposure) and the sources that I rely on for science indicate below 1.

I don't have a dog in the height.......mine lies with the amount being required in a dewlling.......the horror ;)
 
A bedroom with a gas wall heater, the ceiling would be the best location?
 
Bootleg said:
A bedroom with a gas wall heater, the ceiling would be the best location?
Click to expand...
No

Carbon monoxide with nearly the same density as air, The CO levels may need to fill the room before the alarm activates, IMHO
 
mark handler said:
NoCarbon monoxide with nearly the same density as air, The CO levels may need to fill the room before the alarm activates, IMHO
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Hang in there with me I'm trying to understand this so I can inform people.

Heated air rises so why not on the ceiling?
 
Bootleg said:
Hang in there with me I'm trying to understand this so I can inform people.Heated air rises so why not on the ceiling?
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CO is not necessarily heated, best thing to do is follow the instructions on the device. You guys are over thinking the minutia in the code.
 
manufacturer's installation instructions. 2009 IRC requires them in the same locations as smoke detectors.. so... contractors will purchase combo units..
 
trust me, fat.. the contractors are getting the combos..

even when there's no fuel gas.. go figure..
 
I agree, I was just saying that I can't imagine they are popping for the combo inside the sleeping room. Make sense, and i did the same when i replaced Sd's in my house last year, to install the combo units where required. But, at the time, combo's were substantially higher priced. And, if they are stupid enough to install where not required..........well...........
 
That's what we're seeing when CO is an issue (we have many all electric row houses, so it's not always an issue).. they buy in bulk and hire a laborer to install...
 
Very interesting replies, it seems all the codes are pulling in pretty much the same direction.

In the NYS code, applicable to existing occupancies (not including single family, two family, and townhouses), CO alarms must be provided in "each sleeping area that contains a CO source". I'm getting some resistance due to the interpretation from the state, that a forced air heat supply duct constitutes a CO source.

Most of the bigger institutional residences are heated by steam from a central plant, but those heated by conventional gas or oil forced air will need CO alarms in every bedroom.
 
peach said:
trust me, fat.. the contractors are getting the combos..even when there's no fuel gas.. go figure..
Click to expand...
Are there any attached garages? If so they are required.....aren't they?
 
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