About Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Now you have the knowledge of what Carbon monoxide is, it’s essential you know how to detect it.
What is a CO Alarm?
A CO alarm detects the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO alarms have evolved to become safety critical devices, constantly monitoring to protect people from poisonous CO gas, known as the silent killer.
WHERE TO INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS
In every room that contains a fuel-burning appliance
At least 300 mm from any wall (for ceiling mounted alarms)
Between 1 and 3 m (measured horizontally) from the potential source of CO
At least 150 mm from the ceiling, above the height of any door or openable window (for wall mounted alarms)
Recommended CO alarms
All FireHawk alarms are approved to the most up-to-date European standards by the Building Research Establishment and LPCB marked or Kitemarked by the British Standards Institute (BSI). The quality and reliability of Firehawk products has helped to establish them as a trusted supplier to the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS’s), public housing bodies and leading retailers alike.
For more information visit www.fireblitz.co.uk
FireAngel provide market leading smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other home safety products. Their products are used and trusted by over 90% of the UK Fire Rescue Services. All of FireAngel’s carbon monoxide alarms are Kitemarked by the British Standards Institute (BSI) and are developed in the belief that everyone should be properly protected with affordable and reliable home safety.
For more information visit www.fireangel.co.uk
Ei Electronics/AICO products are tested and approved according to stringent European Norm test standards. The sensors, which form the heart of their products, are individually calibrated in real gas or smoke. Each product is subjected to a comprehensive list of tests before leaving the factory and can be traced back to its starting point in the manufacturing process. Their goal is to produce the most reliable early warning devices of their kind.
For more information visit www.eielectronics.com or www.aico.co.uk
Honeywell has been a pioneer of residential CO safety for over 20 years, innovating the first residential CO alarm, and bringing to market subsequent models that set the standard for residential CO safety. Today Honeywell is one of the leading global manufacturers of CO alarms.
For more information visit www.homesafety.honeywell.com
What to Look for When Buying a CO Alarm
Detecting carbon monoxide is the key to keeping you, your family, or your tenant safe. There are many different carbon monoxide alarms available, at reasonable prices with varying features, and it can sometimes be confusing to know what you are looking for.
certification
All CO alarms should be thoroughly tested and certified to British Standard EN50291. Before purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm, you should always ensure it complies with this standard and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should then be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
audible alarm
It is very important that you have an audible CO alarm, rather than just a ‘colour change’ or ‘black spot’ indicator tool. This ensures an alarm will sound when it detects carbon monoxide. Because you are often most at risk from CO poisoning when you are asleep, early CO symptoms are often missed until it is too late, which is where having an audible CO alarm could save your life.
power source
Both battery and mains powered alarms are available, but hard-wired products require professional installation by an electrician to connect them to your home’s wiring. Battery powered alarms are available with either replaceable or sealed for life batteries. The big advantage of sealed for life batteries means that once the alarm is fitted, it will be powered for its entire product life (which is usually 7 or 10 years).
digital co display
A digital display can indicate pre-alarm concentrations, usually anything greater than 10ppm (Parts Per Million) will be displayed but the audible alarm will not activate unless the concentration exceeds 50ppm. People with certain health conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of low concentrations of CO, so a display can be an important feature for such people.
wireless interlink technology
Interlink Technology intelligently links several CO alarms together to give a faster response to the dangers of smoke and carbon monoxide. You can link some smoke and CO alarms so that all activate when any alarm is triggered. If CO rises to an unsafe level, all linked alarms will alert people throughout the house. Interconnecting alarms are a vital safety feature in a home with multiple levels. Some CO alarms use a cabled interlink system cabled interlink system, others use wireless technology and some are connected, and some are connected to a central control and display unit.
wireless data extraction
The latest evolution in CO alarms is the ability for the user to download data from the alarm to a smart device such as a mobile phone or tablet. This allows for real time on-the-spot information on the alarms status and incident investigation. This is of use for professional landlords, gas engineers, plumbers and others responsible for the safety of tenants.
NON Certified CO Alarms to avoid
Uncertified CO alarms have been seen to fail independent safety tests by “Which? magazine” and may be dangerously unreliable, they regularly pop up as dangerous alarms that fail safety tests on websites such as Amazon and Ebay. To an untrained eye it is easy to think you are buying a reputable alarm that has all the necessary safety standards, when in fact they are cheaply produced, and have not faced the rigorous third party testing it takes to earn a mark of approval such as the Kitemark.
One way to guarantee purchasing a product that carries certification marks, such as the Kitemark, is to visit traditional retailers like B&Q, Argos, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Homebase, Robert Dyas and Wilkinsons, or an online retailer such as www.safelincs.co.uk, or to purchase an alarm directly from a Gas Safe Registered Engineer or your gas supplier. They will only stock safe accredited alarms.
You’ll see a gallery of typical styles of alarms to watch out for. They often re-emerge as the same alarm under a different brand name once removed from sale.
