Talk:Carbon monoxide detector
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I just came here, looking for emergency advice because my CO detector is beeping. It makes me think that Wikipedia topics that are about emergency devices should begin with emergency instructions, in large type of what to do immediately. My two cents - David. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.246.84.235 (talk) 13:47, 25 November 2007 (UTC)
So, how do they work, and is there some kind of makeshift one that one could construct from household items in a situation where a commercial one is not an option? That would be good info to include here. -GTBacchus(talk) 02:08, 8 December 2005 (UTC)
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[edit] Not on the ceiling!
I made the suggestion about not needing them on the ceiling into a stern warning. If you install them on the ceiling (unless they're specifically designed for it - most aren't) it could be deadly. CO is heavier than air and collects near the floor. NO - carbon monoxide is not heavier than air - in fact it is slightly lighter as CO has the RMM of 28 whereas air is slightly more than this. It is therefore almost neutral density. However in a normal room, thermal convection current dominate transport of gases in a room. The ceiling is a relatively good place to have a CO detector as long as air flow from convectional currents in not affected and any boundary layer is overcome.
A ceiling mounted CO detector would have to be very sensitive in relation to a normal "near the floor" detector. NOT TRUE Does anyone have any examples? I've never even heard of a ceiling CO detector. FractureTalk 
06:19, 2 September 2006 (UTC). The reason why many CO detectors are not ceiling mounted is because semiconductor devices require mains power and therefore they need to be connected to a mains outlet and these are normally near the floor.
I'm confused--the article on carbon monoxide says it's lighter than air! --Matt McIrvin 08:06, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
- Yeah the density of CO is less than that of air, therefore its lighter than air (but not by much), this article is incorrect.Mr Bungle 09:26, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
It should also be remembered that for a nearly neutral density gas such as carbon monoxide, in most normal rooms thermally induced air currents will be the dominant factor in nthe distribution of gas around the room. Although gas difuusion is a factor for the distribution of carbon monxide, thermal air currents normally dominate. The positioning of the carbon monoxide detector should therefore reflect this. -(someone wrote sometime)
Although it is better to install the detector high rather than low, the most important thing is to not install it in a "corner", where the air might not circulate adequately. Also, the detector should be installed between the most likely sources of CO (a furnace) and the sleeping area, so that it will warn sleeping people, and wake them up. -69.87.202.65 16:42, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
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- I would like to point out this article still incorrectly states that CO is denser("Heavier") than or equal in density to air. I agree "should be installed between the most likely sources of CO" and while I can't say anythign about air currents, I think the best advice is to follow manufacturers specification. What I was taught is that CO's should be in the area of outlet to your waist on the wall in *GENERAL*. I wont push that though as I see it as being very much an opinion, with no real scientific backup. Magu (talk) 06:47, 19 May 2008 (UTC)
[edit] review of reviews
This very impressive website not only reviews CO detectors, it has a serious, considered overview-review of reviews, Updated July 2007: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/carbon-monoxide-detectors/index.html If you are feeling brave, please try to add it to the article.-69.87.199.142 23:16, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Testing
Testing A Carbon Monoxide Detector
Most CO detectors have a test button that should be pressed once a week to confirm that the device is in operation. Detectors with displays can be tested with a known source of CO such as smoke from a cigarette or incense stick. Hold the CO source about 8-10 inches away and watch the digital display respond to the presence of even a small amount of CO. BUT an alarm will most likely not sound with this test.
There are CO detector test kits available, where CO detectors are sold, that provide a vial of high level of CO (1000 ppm) and a plastic tent to house the unit during the test. This test only proves that your detector will sound an alarm with a very high level of CO. [1] -69.87.199.142 01:17, 24 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Low-level detection prohibited
Changes In Test Standards
The standards organizations of Canada (CSA) and the United States (Underwriter's Laboratory or UL) have co-ordinated the writing of CO standards and product testing. The standards as of 2005 prohibit showing CO levels of less than 30 ppm on digital displays. The new standards also require the alarm to sound at higher levels of CO than with previous editions of the standard.The reasoning behind these changes is to reduce calls to fire stations, utilities and emergency response teams when the levels of CO are not life-threatening.This change will also reduce the number of calls to these agencies due to detector inaccuracy or the presence of other gases. Consequently, new alarms will not sound at CO concentrations up to 70 ppm. Note that these concentrations are significantly in excess of the Canadian health guidelines.
Detectors with a digital display and a history option can provide the true CO concentrations in a house. A low-level display would be useful for people with existing respiratory problems or for those who like to spot evolving problems, rather than having to wait for the situation to become serious. Low-level CO detection products are becoming commercially available. They will not be certified to CSA or UL standards, as these standards currently prohibit low level displays. [2] -69.87.199.142 01:34, 24 August 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Simple visual detectors still available
Early designs were basically a white or beige element which would fade to a brownish or blackish color if carbon monoxide were present. As carbon monoxide related deaths rose during the 1990s, audible alarms became the norm. (Simple, reversible-color visual detectors are still available in 2007.[3])
[edit] Companies
It seems relevant to mention that the main makers of domestic detectors for the US market seem to be Kidde (brand Nighthawk) and First Alert. But I don't know if or how it might be proper to add this info to the article. -69.87.199.132 16:40, 27 August 2007 (UTC)
This is a good assortment of industrial equipment: [4] which generally costs $100-500 -- and is only good for a few years. -69.87.199.132 23:08, 27 August 2007 (UTC)
