Carbon Monoxide Detectors

[Phantom]

Here's a question for the Chemists/ scientists of the forum!

Is Carbon Monoxide a "light" or "heavy" gas??

Meaning, does it tend to rise in a room or hover at floor level?

Reason for the question is to where best position a Carbon Monoxide detector in a garage. I have the option of using one of the outlets on the ceiling near a garage door opener ....... or along the baseboard.

Never thought of this one before :eek:

[AC2717]

IT really depends on where to put it in a garage but I would have to classify CO is a light gas not heavy like natural gas, if it were a heavy gas we would be in a world of hurt because it would not exacpe to the atmosphere but hover at ground level and build up from the ground up choking us.

I would put the detector at or about chest level in your garage if you are able to. In a home you have plug ins and wall mounts and the wall moutns are closer to the ceiling and then you have plug ins that are closer to the floor, well I have a plug in one right beside the stairwell to the furnance in the basement to catch it comign up the stairs but in the living room where a gas fireplace is I have a plug in right beside it no less than a foot away.

If you place it near the ground in the garage it will go off a lot more than needed and if you put at ceiling and doors are not closed it might never go off, but not might be in danger, if doors are closed and on ceiling would be my place to put it as it hits the ceiling as it rises and starts to build up as it has not where to escape to. but them might be too late:D

[Mink Islander]

CO has the same molecular weight at Nitrogen -- which makes up nearly 80% of air, but is lighter than O2, the other main component of the air around us. All things being equal (same temps, no air currents, etc.), the CO would tend to blend with the air such that you wouldn't find a material difference in CO concentrations in one place vs another in the same closed room.

However, car emissions will almost certainly be much warmer than the surrounding air so the CO will rise (warmer gases are lighter). It still may not matter much since garages tend to be drafty so all the gases are getting mixed around all the time. But if I only had 2 choices: Place the detector really high or really low, I'd go with really high.

[woodswalk]

At room temp- (68F), CO is just slightly lighter than air which enables it to disburse easily throughout.
At 32F, CO is much heavier than the air density.-
So, I guess if garage is unheated, baseboard would be best, that way it covers both scenarios.

[jrc]

I've heard similar advice as Mink. On a boat you should place the CO detector near your head while in bed.

In a garage, Mink's hot exhaust arguement seems to have merit.

[EllyPoinster]

From http://www.homesafe.com/coalert/detect.htm

When considering where to place a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that although carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air (carbon monoxide's specific gravity is 0.9657, as stated by the EPA; the National Resource Council lists the specific gravity of air as one), it may be contained in warm air coming from combustion appliances such as home heating equipment. If this is the case, carbon monoxide will rise with the warmer air.

For this reason, the makers of First Alert®, a leading brand in carbon monoxide detector technology, suggests mounting the detector on the ceiling. This also puts the detector out of the way of potential interference, such as pets or curious children.

Installation locations vary by manufacturer. Manufacturers’ recommendations differ to a certain degree based on research conducted with each one’s specific detector. Therefore, make sure to read the provided installation manual for each detector before installing.

[dpg]

You may have alot of false alarms in a garage.

[Blue Thunder]

You may have alot of false alarms in a garage.

You beat me to it, dpg. You can expect a lot of activations if you install it in the garage. If the garage is attached to the house, I would install it inside the living area just in from the garage depending on the location. If it's a garage under, then I would put it in the room above the garage.

BT

[upthesaukee]

When I bought my first alert CO detector a few years back, they recommended installation at a lower level in the room, about 18 inches off floor, and away from where dust, animal dander, etc would be likely.:rolleye1:

[Lakesrider]

Funny. They sell Carbon Monoxide detectors that are part of ceiling mounted smoke detectors. And they also sell the Cabon Monoxide detectors that plug into a wall outlet. go figure. I had one of the plug in ones. But it started wailing away one day and I couldn't get it to stop. I had to go out and buy another one. This time I bought the ceiling mounted one and put in the hallway outside the bedroom. I also have one in the basement so if the furnace bites the dust I'll now it!

[jmen24]

The electrical code says high but not within 12" of the wall if mounted to the ceiling and no closer than 4" to the ceiling if mounted on the wall. That goes for smoke detectors as well. If you still have questions about placement call your local fire cheif or the New Hampshire Fire Marshal's Office, they will be happy to answer your questions regarding placement. Code also states they be AC/DC types as well, more than likely unless you are performing a remodel you will not have to adhere to this, but if you can it is worth the effort to fall into compliance. Your local building inspector for the town would also have this information.

Code calls for only a heat detector in the garage and that would be recommended your situation as stated above the CO sensor will give you lots of false alarms. Placement inside the mudroom or in a occupied living space above or adjacent to the garage is the better location for a CO detector.

Jmen24

[Phantom]

Thank You one and All !!

:)