Carbon monoxide can be released into your home in a variety of ways. If you aren’t killed by the gases you can still experience damage to your lungs. Some items in your home that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning include fireplaces, heaters, hot water heaters, gas stoves, ovens, automobiles, grills, dryers and even nearby traffic. This is why it is important to have a carbon monoxide detectors since you never know when any of your common household appliances is emitting toxic levels of carbon monoxide.
Hey David, I don’t know much about the density issues of Carbon monoxide and air. But somewhere I read that carbon monoxide detectorshave the best reading when installed feet above the floor level of our home. And as per the manufacturer’s recommendations I have kept those near my garage and also near the sleeping area. And avoid it keeping exposed to direct sunlight and fuels.
True.
The city of Los Angeles wants them installed one way, even when the manufacture says another things.
I also recently had an agent call me back because the under writer of the client’s loan wanted me to take a picture of the carbon monoxide detector.
I was recently talking to an appraiser, and apparently now they’re required to take to take a picture of the carbon monoxide detector for loans in California. Never mind the state already requires the Real Estate agent to sign a document verifying they are installed.
The buyer maybe moving into a house that the CO detectors are already installed and may not have the manufacturers instruction available. As inspectors we should have a pretty good idea where the best places are or recommend they get new ones and follow the instructions.
I could not agree with you anymore - this is part of the role as the inspector. Use your experiences from the past to help yourself and others for the future!
Just as a side note. On Jan 1, 2017 CA will implement the 2016 CA Building Code. Yeah I know implement 2016 in 2017. We have a triennial schedule.
Anyway, in the new code in addition to each level of the structure and outside sleeping areas, ANY sleeping area with a fossil fuel burning appliance (fire place, wood stove, pellet stove or wall heater to name a few) will be required to have a CO detector in that sleeping room in addition to the others.
Ian, up here in NorCal appraisers have been required since the CO law took place to take pictures of the CO detectors. Even today they do and if the CO detector is not present they charge $150 to come back and snap the picture frequently.
Kevin,
That only confirm what most of us said, which is that you are full of s h i t !