Carbon Monoxide Detector: Appropriate Location ?

[Elliott]

Learn why carbon monoxide (CO) alarms don't need to be installed near the floor
There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly throughout the room.
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.”
Why CO alarms are often installed near the floor
Standalone carbon monoxide alarms are often placed low on the wall because they need to be plugged into an outlet that’s near the floor. CO alarms can also have a screen that shows the CO level and needs to be at a height where it’s easy to read.
Why you shouldn’t install a CO alarm near heating or cooking appliances
Also keep in mind not to install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances, as appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon start-up. A carbon monoxide detector should not be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in or near very humid areas such as bathrooms.
For more information about carbon monoxide safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association.

Why carbon monoxide (CO) alarms don't need to be installed near the floor - Google Nest Help

There’s a myth that carbon monoxide alarms should be installed lower on the wall because carbon monoxide is heavier than air. In fact, carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and diffuses evenly

support.google.com

 

[Sandra Koutsopoulos]

Carbon Monoxide Detector California Code Requirements
California building code standards require that all new constructions, per section R315, mandate that the detector must be:

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Under section 420 of the CBC also requires that the monoxide detector must be:

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Detector Installation
Carbon monoxide detectors required by the law on the State of California should be installed properly. As a general practice, smoke detectors shall be installed:

• On a wall about five feet above from floor level.
• It is recommended installing the detector at least six inches from all exterior walls and at least three feet from HVAC vents.
• Carbon monoxide detectors can be installed on ceiling; however, wall installation is recommended.
• Each floor needs its own set of monoxide detectors when required by building codes.
• It is recommended installing carbon monoxide detectors near the sleeping area.
• Follow manufacturer's recommendations or follow guidelines by Standard 720 of the National Fire Protection Association.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Carbon Monoxide Detector California Code Requirements
California building code standards require that all new constructions, per section R315, mandate that the detector must be:

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Under section 420 of the CBC also requires that the monoxide detector must be:

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Detector Installation
Carbon monoxide detectors required by the law on the State of California should be installed properly. As a general practice, smoke detectors shall be installed:

• On a wall about five feet above from floor level.
• It is recommended installing the detector at least six inches from all exterior walls and at least three feet from HVAC vents.
• Carbon monoxide detectors can be installed on ceiling; however, wall installation is recommended.
• Each floor needs its own set of monoxide detectors when required by building codes.
• It is recommended installing carbon monoxide detectors near the sleeping area.
• Follow manufacturer's recommendations or follow guidelines by Standard 720 of the National Fire Protection Association.

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The information is very helpbut, but please:

1) site the source; and ,
2) let's try to put the 4th paragraph of the 1st section into perspective because it implies that multiple CM detectors could be needed on each floor, if multiple bedroom wings exist; and that contradicts the street perception that one per floor is needed.

Thanks much for helping to resolve the issue.

 

[Sandra Koutsopoulos]

Source: online Riverside County government building code site. I'm not the CA Building Code Enforcer Police, I'm only required to acknowledge one CO detector on each floor per lender requirements in my scope of work. However, a prudent occupant may find it logical to have more CO detectors than just the minimal amount to keep their family safe. I often tell folks that building codes do change, and urge them to check with their local building code, zoning and planning desk to ensure they are safe and compliant.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Source: online Riverside County government building code site. I'm not the CA Building Code Enforcer Police, I'm only required to acknowledge one CO detector on each floor per lender requirements in my scope of work. However, a prudent occupant may find it logical to have more CO detectors than just the minimal amount to keep their family safe. I often tell folks that building codes do change, and urge them to check with their local building code, zoning and planning desk to ensure they are safe and compliant.

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It appears that your perspective reflects the general concensus of the Peer community. My enlightened perspective, OTOH, is to go above-&-beyond minimum requirements especially when the health & safety of occupants might be compromised--not to mention the perspective of litigeous, zealous prosecutors, or lenders, or insurers, who seek redress from all licensed practitioners who provided what I think is termed "prior involvement" in the property, where the occupants perished from inhalation because the jurisdictional reivew reveals the inappropriate installion of Carbon Monoxide detectors. Maybe happens once in the collection careers of 100 appraiser...

 

[CANative]

My enlightened perspective,

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

My enlightened perspective,

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woops . . . I forgot to note the HC based upon the EA that the comment was somewhat subjective . . . although the perspective to follow the moral high road by being extra-anal might be considered as "enlightened" if a liberal definition is applied. Oh, yea, I also forgot the implied caveat: W.T.F.I.K. ?

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

Seems that most times I condition an FHA lending assignment for the absence of a carbon monoxide detector, the follow-up inspection reveals the installation ., . . in inappropriate places such as the ceiling adjacent to the front entrance door, which presents the following alternatives:

1) Accept the inappropriate, non-functional resolution;

2) Indicate that an additional 1004D is needed for installation "per manufacturer/building code" specs.

Question: How would my peers address the scenario?

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Another wrinkle: The subject has a totally stoked out below-grade finished living area and kitchenette. Seems that a detectors wouldn't be needed because there is no fire source on the basement grade.

 

[Fernando]

As long as I take a photo of a CO2 detector, client is satisfied wherever it's located. I had one in a garage only. Strange that client less concern with smoke detectors.

 

[ZZGAMAZZ]

As long as I take a photo of a CO2 detector, client is satisfied wherever it's located. I had one in a garage only. Strange that client less concern with smoke detectors.

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City of Rancho Cucamonga recently read me the code requirements, for a detector in the "living area" of each floor of the dwelling unit . . . in response to my question about the adeuacy of a detector in the ceiling of the 1st floor garage but not the interior living area. Perhaps the leander(s) doesn't appear to be concerned because liabiilty for issues that can be traced to the absence of appropriate detectors are deferred to the appraiser, without specific instructions but based upon the assumption that we should be familiar with code ????