CO Detectors

Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors should be installed in any home that has a fireplace or a fossil fuel burning appliance, e.g. a gas water heater, gas furnace, fireplace insert, cooking appliance, or space heater. This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas is created as the byproduct of incomplete fossil fuel or wood combustion. The NFPA reports that fire departments respond to over 70,000 non-fire CO events annually, and that upwards of 200 deaths occur each year. As with smoke detectors, jurisdictions are well aware of these statistics and are updating relevant statutes. You must be familiar with the requirements in your area.

Ensure that any CO detectors present are not connected to an active alarm system that would summon the fire department. Activate any accessible test buttons. Report if there are no CO detectors in the home, and any unresponsive, missing, hanging, or damaged units.  Use the mandated state language as needed.

There are no carbon monoxide detectors. The home has fuel burning appliances or components which can emit CO in their exhaust gases. This is a safety issue. Install a carbon monoxide detector.

The carbon monoxide detector does not respond to the test button. This is a safety issue. Repair or replace the carbon monoxide detector.