What Is a Carbon Monoxide Detector and How Does it Work?

Did you know that an estimated 50,000 people in the US go to the emergency room every year due to accidental Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning? And at least 430 people die from accidental Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Keep reading for more information on how to protect yourself and your family from a CO accident. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas. 

It’s the byproduct of burning carbon-based fuels. Even though you can’t see or smell it,you can find CO in fumes produced by furnaces, stoves, gas ranges, kerosene heaters, vehicle exhaust, lanterns, and even portable generators. Carbon monoxide can cause permanent injury or death, even in small doses so it’s important to have a CO detector.  

How to detect carbon monoxide 

Carbon monoxide is a “silent killer” because anyone can breathe it in without knowing.  Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, and chest pain. Symptoms can take hours to appear, and they may be mild at first but major complications  can happen hours after exposure. 

A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm when CO reaches an unsafe level, giving you the chance to leave the space and get outdoors. The higher the concentration, the faster an alarm will go off. 

We measure carbon monoxide in the atmosphere in parts per million (ppm). It can take a standard carbon monoxide detector one hour to alert at concentrations of 70 ppm and below. CO detectors will respond to extremely high concentrations of 400 ppm and above in as little as four minutes. 

What is a dangerous carbon monoxide level?

The levels of carbon monoxide can vary depending on the source and the space. A well-tuned car can produce CO at levels over 80,000 ppm right after you start it before dropping down to about 300 ppm after 15 minutes. Kitchen gas ranges must produce no more than 800 ppm of CO, but they are typically tuned to produce less than 50 ppm.

The National Fire Protection Agency says the average adult can experience symptoms of CO poisoning at just 50 ppm with prolonged exposure. At 400 ppm, headaches and nausea can set in with just one hour of exposure. At 6,400 ppm, there is a serious risk of death after just 15 or 20 minutes of exposure. 

Buto amount of carbon monoxide is ideal. Low concentrations can become dangerous concentrations. Even if your stove produces less than 50 ppm of CO, if you leave it on CO can build and concentrate in your kitchen at dangerous levels. The higher the concentration of CO, the more likely it is to cause illness, injury, or even death.

How do carbon monoxide detectors work?

A carbon monoxide detector is a simple device with a few key components. A silicon microchip, housed in a plastic shell, sends an electrical charge to a small detection chamber that contains a CO sensor. This sensor can detect and measure CO concentration in the atmosphere. If the sensor detects high levels of CO, the microchip will trigger an alarm. The CO alarm is powered by a home’s or business’s electrical system or a battery. 

CO detectors may also include a power indicator light, test button, and LCD screen. Models with an LCD screen may display system status and CO level during an alarm. The power indicator light will let you know if the unit works or if the battery requires replacement. 

Some models might also make a chirping noise to indicate a low battery level. The test button allows you to test functionality. Make sure you are testing your CO detectors at least once per month and changing the batteries, or replacing the unit entirely, when needed. 

Where to place a carbon monoxide detector 

Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air, meaning it will rise above the floor. Because of this, you should place detectors on a wall about five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. Do not install the detector near a fireplace or any flame-producing appliance or you’ll end up with false readings. Keep the detector out of the way of foot traffic, especially of pets and children.

To make sure your and your family are safe, get your CO detectors inspected regularly. Follow the instructions included with the detector. Be sure to replace the battery when needed. Most carbon monoxide detectors will last five to seven years before replacement. 

What to do when a carbon monoxide alarm goes off

If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, immediately move outside for fresh air. 

Once outside, here are some steps you can take in the aftermath of a CO alarm: 

• Contact emergency services. 
• Determine if you or anyone else has symptoms that may suggest CO poisoning. See the CDC’s page on carbon monoxide poisoning for more information. 
• Do not reenter your home until emergency responders say it’s safe. 
• Contact a certified professional to inspect fuel-burning appliances, like heating systems, vents, stoves, gas ranges, and the chimney. It’s crucial that you find source of the CO and make any repairs to fix the leak.
• Regularly examine vents and chimneys for improper connections, visible rust, and stains.

Carbon monoxide is dangerous. Exposure can result in CO poisoning and a range of symptoms. Without a CO detector, you may never know you have a problem. The good news is that, in California and twenty-five other states, single-family homes are required by law to have at least one CO detector. 

When was the last time you inspected your CO detector? If you have any questions or need a CO detector in your home or business, contact Bay Alarm today!

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Carbon Monoxide Detectors

What is a carbon monoxide detector?

A carbon monoxide (CO) detector is a device designed to detect and measure CO concentration in the atmosphere. It contains a CO sensor and a silicon microchip housed in a plastic shell. If the sensor detects high levels of CO, the microchip will trigger an audible alarm, allowing you and your family to evacuate the space and get fresh air.

How does a carbon monoxide detector work?

The detector’s silicon microchip sends an electrical charge to a small detection chamber that holds a CO sensor. This sensor is what detects and measures the concentration of carbon monoxide gas in the air. When the CO level reaches an unsafe concentration, the microchip is signaled to trigger the alarm. Detectors are typically powered by your home’s electrical system or a battery.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas. It is often called a “silent killer” because it is undetectable by human senses. CO is a byproduct of burning carbon-based fuels and can be found in fumes from furnaces, stoves, gas ranges, vehicle exhaust, and portable generators. Exposure to CO can cause permanent injury or death, even in small doses.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Symptoms of CO poisoning can be mild at first and take hours to appear. They include dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, and chest pain. Because the symptoms are similar to those of the flu, CO poisoning can be easily mistaken for a common illness.

What is considered a dangerous level of carbon monoxide?

Any amount of carbon monoxide is not ideal, as low concentrations can build up over time to become dangerous. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) notes that the average adult can experience symptoms of CO poisoning at just 50 ppm (parts per million) with prolonged exposure. At 400 ppm, headaches and nausea can set in with only one hour of exposure, and 6,400 ppm can be fatal after just 15 to 20 minutes.

Where should I place my carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and will rise above the floor. Because of this, detectors should be placed on a wall about five feet above the floor or on the ceiling. Avoid installing detectors near fireplaces or any flame-producing appliances, as this can cause false readings.

What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

If the alarm sounds, you should immediately move outside for fresh air. Once outside, you should:

• Contact emergency services.
• Check if anyone is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning (dizziness, nausea, confusion).
• Do not re-enter your home until emergency responders confirm it is safe.
• Contact a certified professional to inspect all fuel-burning appliances (heating systems, stoves, chimneys, etc.) to find the source of the CO leak and make necessary repairs.