Advice please on Carbon monoxide gas alarms

Apr 7, 2008
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Hi

Has anybody got a preference as to what carbon monoxide gas alarm to buy ?? As we have the CORGI - SF350EN in the house, but I have seen this one called fireangel ?? There are so many out there

Thanks in advance for your suggestions

...Steve
 
Jul 15, 2005
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Basically it doesn't matter - the sensor in CO monitors use the same detection mechanism, the price difference is in how they report the data - some have an LCD display and an alarm, some just an alarm, etc.

And you need to replace the device every few years - the sensor is slowly poisoned by atmospheric pollutants (even if switched off) and will stop working in around five years...
 

LMH

Mar 14, 2005
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The combined smoke detector/CO2 detectors - where are they supposed to be sited?

Our 10 year batter smoke detectors normally go on the ceiling on the landing (subject of course to the property's layout). We advise people to place CO2 detectors on a wall about three to four feet off the groud.

Lisa
 

LMH

Mar 14, 2005
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The combined smoke detector/CO2 detectors - where are they supposed to be sited?

Our 10 year batter smoke detectors normally go on the ceiling on the landing (subject of course to the property's layout). We advise people to place CO2 detectors on a wall about three to four feet off the groud.

Lisa
'batter' - thinking about fish and chips again.
 

LMH

Mar 14, 2005
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The combined smoke detector/CO2 detectors - where are they supposed to be sited?

Our 10 year batter smoke detectors normally go on the ceiling on the landing (subject of course to the property's layout). We advise people to place CO2 detectors on a wall about three to four feet off the groud.

Lisa
Oh dear 'groud' LOL!
 
Apr 7, 2008
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Hi Lisa

Thanks for that info but were would you suggest putting one in a caravan ??

Our cooker / fridge & heater are sited in the middle of the van with sleeping areas at each end.

Steve.
 

LMH

Mar 14, 2005
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Hi Steve

I've copied a portion from the Trading Standards website, it doesn't say much really. I've also looked at the fire kills website at their safety leaflets but that doesn't really tell you much either, other than what you'd already know I'd imagine.

We don't have a great deal to do with co2 detectors but sometimes my colleagues will fit them for vulnerable occupiers. From memory, they have to be sited away from a gas fire and about three feet off the floor. Each co2 detector will have information on where to site them in the pack but I would imagine that mainly relates to domestic properties.

Graham on this forum is a serving ff and he might be able to help, other than that, I'll raise your query on Monday when I'm back at work (hopefully as I've been off for a while). Don't get panicked or het up about this as death by carbon monoxide in touring caravans is very very rare.

----------------

From TS website:

Carbon Monoxide and Boats, Caravans, and Mobile Homes

Boat, caravan, and mobile home owners and users, should ensure that their heating appliances are correctly installed and serviced, and that they fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm.

All heating appliances that use gas, coal, wood, or oil, produce carbon monoxide when they are used.

These appliances must have adequate permanent ventilation, particularly when used in confined spaces such as canal boats, caravans, and mobile homes etc.

Without sufficient ventilation these appliances will burn incorrectly and produce more deadly carbon monoxide, which may then enter the room/cabin.

Appliances that are 'room sealed' should not expel carbon monoxide in to a room/cabin. All other appliances, coal or gas for example, that draw air from the room/cabin, may expel carbon monoxide back into the room/cabin if the heater or the flue or ventilation is faulty.

Home owners are also advised to fit a carbon monoxide detector where heating appliances such as those described above are used.

Follow this important advice:

Ensure that all heaters are fitted by a competent heating engineer, according to the installation instructions that must be supplied with them, and there after have them serviced regularly (at least every 12 months). Gas appliances must be fitted and serviced by a competent engineer from a CORGI registered business.

Do not block air vents, even on the coldest winter day. Heaters must have permanent ventilation to allow in oxygen to help ensure proper burning of fuel, and allow carbon monoxide to escape.

Fit a carbon monoxide detector. Boats should be fitted with a detector that is suitable for marine craft due to the possibility of damp.

Fit a smoke detector.

If you are not sure about any of your heating appliances, stop using them immediately and have them checked, including any flues for blockages
 
Jan 31, 2008
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Although we have a CO2 alarm fitted in our caravan, after reading various topics about this on many other caravan forums, I wouldn't worry about fitting one at all.

Why? The water heater, the gas fire and the fridge are sealed units vented to the outside. The only source of CO2 within a caravan would be a gas cooker and we vent the caravan when this is used anyway, either by opening the stable door of the caravan slightly or roof vents. And a cooker isn't in use for long (in our case anyway).

Being fairly new to caravanning, I went and got all the security I thought I needed as advised by a couple of friends, but after reading various views and reports on several caravan forums, many are simply a waste of time in a caravan. These include a CO2 alarm, a Narcotic Gas Alarm, a fire bucket, fire extinguisher and a tracker device.

Even a hitch-lock and wheel lock are a waste of time since if a thief wants your van they will get it but sadly, it's a necessary requirement if you want your caravan insured.
 
Jan 31, 2008
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It was a Dicon from a Motorhome and Caravan Accessories Dealer, Lisa.

As instructed, I sited it just about head height near the door opposite the cooker.

location.jpg
 

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