Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation

According to the carbon monoxide guidelines of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 720, 2005 edition), all carbon monoxide alarms “shall be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms,” and each alarm “shall be located on the wall, ceiling or other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany the unit.



For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit  the National Fire Protection Association.


Please see below for general suggestions regarding Carbon Monoxide Alarm installation. Please refer to the link about for further information.


Where To Install:


Every Floor of your Home

If your home has several levels, including basements and any attics that are used, then you will need detectors on each level.

The reason for this is that a dangerous build up of CO gas will often be trapped within a single level of your home. Your main living level might be quite safe, but you might go down to the basement only to receive a dangerous dose of Carbon Monoxide because you failed to have a detector there - don't make this mistake.

Near Bedrooms

As is the case with smoke detectors, you want your CO detectors to wake you during the night if something goes wrong. This means that the most important place is near your bedrooms.

I recommend that you have a carbon monoxide detector within 15 feet of each bedroom door, 10 feet is even better if you can afford more detectors. If two bedroom doors are 30 feet apart or less, then place one in the middle. If however they are more than 30 feet apart you will need more than one detector.

Homes with attached Garages

If you have an enclosed garage directly attached to the home, then you should also place a detector within 10 feet of the internal door to your garage. If a motor vehicle is left running in the garage, then a dangerous level of Carbon Monoxide can quickly build up inside your home. You should also place a detector in any room situated directly above your garage.

Places to Avoid

Most importantly you want to avoid false positive readings from your detectors. To ensure your alarm goes off only when needed, you should place your detectors at least 15 feet away from any fossil fuel burning appliances such as:

  • Gas powered Kitchen Stove/Oven
  • Heating Furnace
  • Fireplace

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are designed to work within certain tolerances for temperature and humidity. For this reason you must avoid placing your detectors in any locations such as:

  • Bathrooms
  • In Direct Sunlight
  • Close to Appliances that generate heat

Other places to avoid include:

  • Anywhere children can reach
  • Open windows or anywhere else there might be a strong draft
  • Behind curtains or any structure that might prevent Carbon Monoxide from reaching the sensor



Sources: 


https://nest.com/support/article/Shouldn-t-a-carbon-monoxide-CO-alarm-be-installed-near-the-floor
http://www.carbonmonoxidedetectorplacement.com/