| Author |
Message |
    
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 473
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:30 am: | 
|
Know Your Carbon Monoxide Detector.
Quick story:
One of our service technicians was dispatched to a “no-heat” call on Thursday. Upon inspection, it was found that the boiler’s flue was malfunctioning and exhaust gases were spilling into the home. The client was notified of this very unsafe condition immediately and the technician dutifully disabled the boiler.
Hearing this news, the lady of the house mentioned that the carbon monoxide detector had started beeping a few nights ago but that was because they hadn’t changed the battery since moving in. The technician took a new battery from the truck and opened the unit but there was nothing to change. The detector was hard-wired to the house electrical system and the family was sleeping in a home filled with carbon monoxide.
The good news is no one was made sick or worse. The bad news is the family didn’t know how to interpret the warning signal.
I urge you all to have carbon monoxide detectors in your homes and know how they work. This story could very easily have been a newspaper headline instead.
Master Plvmber |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 987
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
|
Thank you....
We have been guilty of the same - it was the middle of the summer and it seemed a nuisance beep.
I am about to make the rounds in our house now and check batteries etc. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 347
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:20 pm: |
|
Where is the ideal location for these? In the basement, or in the living areas or both? We've got the kind that plug into the outlets, but I'm never sure if their location is correct (ie by the ceiling or down on the floor) |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1790
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:52 pm: |
|
SO requires them by each "bedroom area" -- which in my house is at either end of the hall by each bedroom area, but also by the "den" (which is technically a bedroom, since it has a closet).
Some of the smoke alarms/ CO2 detectors have a speaking voice in addition to the alarm.
Luckily never had an alarm go off -- but in the middle of the night, a voice saying "low battery" has happened a few times -- I think those detectors are a great idea (perhaos especially with kids).
/p |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 474
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 3:54 pm: |
|
While I have my opinions, SJ, I think the best advice you can get here is to *read the directions*.
Master Plvmber |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10658
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
|
The Maplewood Building Department has a handout on the correct location for both smoke and CO2 detectors. Give them a call and I am sure they will fax you a copy.
The plug in types don't meet building codes because they don't have a battery backup when power goes out. They are interesting, however, because they record the high reading and it can be reviewed. |
Jason
Citizen
Username: Jason
Post Number: 61
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:43 pm: |
|
Bob - the First Alert CO detector I recently picked up from Costco recently is a plug-in type that also has a battery backup (a fresh battery lasts for about 20 hours during a power outage) - does the code stipulate how long the detectors should work under battery power?
Thanks,
Jason |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10662
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 4:20 am: |
|
Jason, beats me. My wife picked up a plug in model a couple of years ago that doesn't have a battery backup. Also, the sheet I mentioned from the Building Department specifies locations and you may or may not have an outlet where needed. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page