Carbon Monoxide Detector Installation Instructions
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that could be created whenever a fuel burns. It is toxic to humans. A failure in household appliances such as gas appliances and central heaters can spike carbon monoxide levels quickly. To protect your home an family install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your household. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Carbon monoxide detector
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Drill gun
- Screws
- Batteries
Instructions
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Select your location. The diffusion of carbon monoxide is relatively even, meaning that the source of carbon monoxide can evenly diffuse throughout rooms hallways, and the entire home. When installing a carbon monoxide detector, make sure that it is away from children and pets, which can touch and potentially damage the detector. Install the carbon monoxide detectors high on the walls, near the ceiling.
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Place the carbon monoxide detectors in the house. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in sleeping areas and on every level of the house. Keep detectors about three feet away from steam-emitting areas like the bathroom and laundry areas. This will lower the chance of having false alarms from occurring. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that if you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector device in your household, it should be located in sleeping areas, where it can wake sleeping inhabitants.
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Measure the distance between the mounting holes on the back of the detector. Go to your wall, and mark the distance that the mounting holes are going to be, by placing the measuring tape onto the wall and marking the prospective mounting holes with a pencil. Drill small holes into the marks. Attach the mounting bracket onto the wall by aligning the bracket with the holes and screwing the bracket into the holes, subsequently securing the mounting bracket onto the wall. Mount the carbon monoxide detector into the bracket to complete the hardware installation.
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Test your carbon monoxide detector. Push the test button. The detector should elicit a sharp, distinct sound; signaling that the detector is working properly. Change the battery if the detector emits no noise or a faint noise.
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Tips & Warnings
Create and develop a safety escape plan. Ensure that all members of the household are familiar with this escape plan and have a common destination outside the home where all members can congregate. Include special needs people like children and the elderly into this safety plan.
Change the batteries at least twice a year. A good rule of thumb to follow is to change the batteries every time you change the clocks for daylight-saving time or regular time. Test the detector by pressing the test button to ensure that the batteries are properly installed.
Know whose responsible for the installation of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors if you are renting. It will likely differ from state to state, providence to providence, and country to country.
A few times a year, use a vacuum cleaner to suck away at any accumulated debris and dirt that has attached onto the detector device.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit house at gubbarudda image by Keith Nolan from Fotolia.com
