Which what heating systems should CO2 detectors be installed or are recommended? Also in what locations should they be installed?
Collin do you mean CO (carbon monoxide) detectors?
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Yes please. Sorry.
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Maryland state law requires a CO detector on every level (including basements but excluding unoccupied attics) of a rental property. The state fire marshall recomends the same for every home. As with smoke alarms the most effective system has interconnected alarms. CO that originates in the basement will set off all alarms before the CO reaches the sleeping rooms.
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Heating system has no effect on the recommendation in my opinion. You need them regardless. What Bob mentioned is pretty universal in my area. Most inspectors recommend at least one on every level excluding the attic. Requirements vary by year built and municipality.
Adding to Davids link: Locate CO alarms outside the bedroom(s) and within 10 feet of any bedroom door. Located on each floor where a fuel combustion appliance is located.
IMO, critical safety item to list in every report. We have a CO death in this area every 2 to 3 years. I just got a call from an assoicate about a CO alarm going off with 225ppm. I found a generator room with 500ppm during an inspection. Found a non-vented propane wall heater with 70ppm on fire up.
I also recommend replacing existing CO and Smoke alarms with new units so the buyer knows it works. Having a death at an inspected home 1 or more years after the inspection is something that I never want to face.
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In Oregon it’s kind of a crap show since there is building code, fire marshal recommendations and real estate transfer requirements and they don’t always align. I stick most closely to the real estate transfer rules which is on every level with bedrooms and inside or common area within 15 feet of the bedrooms (so if you have two bedrooms separated by 28 feet you could stick on the wall in between and satisfy the rule.
I generally hate these things because people should be smart enough to equip their houses with safety devices when they move in. If not? Well maybe that Darwin guy was onto something.
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i also recommend replacement if CO alarms are over 7 years old, 10 years for smoke alarms. there is usually a date of manufacture stamped on them if you look on the back.
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CO is a product of combustion. If the home has any combustion sources, like gas appliances, wood-burning equipment, or a garage, it should have a CO detector. If the home doesn’t have gas utilities, fireplace, or a garage, I don’t call it out. Without combustion, where would the CO come from?
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Thanks all!! Very helpful!!
BTW it was a very old farm home with an oil furnace from the 50’s.
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