Lifesaving Facts About Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

  • Did you know that one type of smoke detector really isn’t very good at detecting the type of fires that kill humans?
  • Did you know that CO detectors have a relatively short lifespan and require replacement more often than you would think?
  • Did you know that pressing the test button is likely only testing the alarm sound and not the smoke or CO senor itself?

 Got your attention! Good. I’m here to help. 

The information below was taken from an ASHI Reporter article authored by Bruce Barker who is the founder and president of Dream Home Consultants.

Smoke and CO Detector Locations

Smoke Detectors

  • In every bedroom
  • Hallway near bedroom area (and near means near)
  • At least one on each floor of a home including the basement and habitable attics. Not crawlspaces. They should be at least 6 feet away from the stove/oven in a kitchen, and other gas burning appliances, in order prevent false alarms.
  • Not less than three feet horizontally from the door of a bathroom containing a tub or shower to ensure shower takers can hear the alarm over the water noise and their singing. This is new and I usually let this one slide. One way to meet this requirement though is to ensure the smoke detector in the hallway is near the bathroom. Kill two birds with one Smoke Detector, so to speak.

CO Detectors

  • Required in homes with fuel burning appliances (fireplaces, forced air furnaces, gas water heaters) or an attached garage.
  • Within 15 feet of all bedrooms.
  • Installed in a bedroom if a fuel burning appliance is present such as a fireplace or unvented room heaters.
  • I add my own suggestion – one on each floor where a fuel burning appliance is located.

Thoroughly intrigued?  There’s more!

Smoke Detector Technology – photoelectric or ionization?

The short answer is photoelectric. They are better at detecting smoky fires which is what is most dangerous to humans. Ionization smoke detectors may take too long to alarm. If you have ionization alarms I highly recommend replacing them immediately. As an inspector I can’t tell what technology is installed since we are not supposed to pull them off the structure to check.

Age

Smoke detector life is usually no more than 10 years, and CO detectors 5 to 7 years, because the sensor degrades over time making them less sensitive. Older detectors need to be replaced.

Mounting Location

For smoke detectors the ideal location is on the ceiling at least four inches from the walls, or on a wall four inches down from the ceiling but no more than twelve inches down (keep it high). There may be dead air space within four inches of the junction between the walls and the ceiling which might prevent smoke from collecting near the detector.

For CO detectors you can mount them almost anywhere on the wall or on the ceiling (as with a smoke/CO combo unit). If lower on the wall then be sure they will not be disturbed or tampered with.

Keep smoke and CO detectors away from vents and returns, operable windows, steam, fluorescent lights, etc. These all interfere with the working of the sensor.

Power and Connectivity

New implementations for smoke and CO detectors must be connected together (hard wire or wireless), and must be powered by the buildings utility power (with battery backup). Older homes are exempt, but if you do a remodel the city may ask you to upgrade.

For More Information click the links below.

ASHI Reporter: Smoke and CO Alarm Overview, Bruce Barker

http://www.ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/Smoke-Alarms/14747

ASHI Reporter: The Problems with Ionization Smoke Alarms

http://www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/articles/ashi-smoke-alarm/2606