Why Every Home And Office Should Have A Carbon Monoxide Detector

By Author: Bob Schuster
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Although plenty of people continue to confuse them, carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are not smoke detectors-and vice versa. Some dual detectors are sold, of course, but the detectors operate differently, and you need both. Smoke detectors will recognize the particulate-filled smoke caused by both flames and smoldering materials, while CO detectors alert you to faulty fuel-consuming appliances and devices.

CO is created when there is partial combustion of fossil, or carbon-based, fuels, which means that home threats include space heaters, fireplaces with clogged chimneys, open flames in the kitchen or idling auto engines in the garage. The reason why every home and office should have a carbon monoxide detector is that every home and office has one or more of these problematic devices.

How they work

CO is tasteless, odorless and colorless, whereas smoke from fires is not. This means that detecting levels of carbon monoxide that could lead to poisoning in the home or office is only possible with the correct warning device. In the U.S. and Canada, some provincial, municipal and state governments mandate CO detectors ...
... in newly constructed homes, apartments and office buildings.

The National Fire Protection Association's 2005 guidelines-specifically NFPA 720, Sections 5.1.1.1 and 5.1.1.2-recommends that CO detectors should be "centrally located" near the sleeping areas and in the "immediate vicinity" of all bedrooms. They go on to advise that the detectors should be on the "wall, ceiling or other location" that the devices' installation guides specify.

CO detector background and evolution

When the first CO detectors were designed and sold, the effective lifetime of the devices was quite limited, usually to around two years. After the usual technological progress, this increased to such a degree that today's detectors could last for five or even six years. Better yet, the newer models will alert homeowners and office managers when their useful lifespan is approaching an end, allowing replacement before any untoward event, despite many detectors lasting far longer than their advertised lives.

All CO detectors sold in North America emit an alarm sound as the main indication of an alert, but some also feature digital displays that show the concentration of CO in ppm (parts per million). They can usual display the current level as well as a peak level from measurements taken over a certain period of time, often customizable with special settings. This allows you to check levels even when they are below the alert threshold, see the levels that occurred during your absence and keep records of changes over time.

Other features and functions

Battery-powered CO detectors can go through batteries faster than you might think, and their lifespan may change over time depending on the circuitry, the ambient temperature, moisture or other disturbances. Some models plug in to AC power and use batteries for backup only in case of power interruption, and are therefore more reliable over longer periods of time.

There are also CO detectors that can be connected to home and office monitoring systems. These detectors can be wired into security networks, fire panels, computerized systems or remote-controlled, centrally-managed stations. With these features, the residents can be absent from the home, in an unaffected part of the residence or even unconscious. When an alarm goes off, the central station can send rescue personnel to intervene and save any residents from harm.

Final considerations

For both home and business, there are some other practical reasons to have a CO detector (or several). Insurance policies offer discounts for having smoke and CO detectors in the home as well as other safety and security equipment. The more comprehensive the protection the greater the premium savings, in most cases. For businesses, the same generally holds true, and additional savings can be realized with a systematic plan that encompasses as many areas as possible of the business, from employees to property.

It seems like common sense to "cover all the bases" and get smoke detectors, CO detectors and other safety and security devices-but common sense is increasingly uncommon these days. Additional incentive may be necessary for some home and business owners, and that may be the idea of liability. The fact is, if a visitor to your home or an employee of your business is harmed in a fire or a CO poisoning, you may be liable for damages in a civil lawsuit, and if negligence can be shown there may even be criminal charges.

When you protect your home or business with detectors, insurance policies and other uncommonly sensible things, you are securing your own property and future. Even more importantly, you are protecting everyone who works at your company, lives in your home or visits either one. This is real security, and very inexpensive, too.
About Author:
Robert P. Schuster, P.C., has achieved its reputation as a law firm by winning big cases---in jury trials and in settlements. He has a national reputation for success in representing his clients in cases including carbon monoxide poisoning, business torts, intellectual property, commercial litigation and brain injury. Visit online today.