Filed Under : 
Sep.21,2011
How A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Makes Home A Safer Place
Home has always been considered a haven from the ills of life in the big bad world, but it is not without its own dangers. While fire is already a leading concern when it comes to safety, with a vast range of smoke detectors available on the market, there is more than fire and smoke to worry about.
Any alarm installation technician will tell you that there are also real risks coming from the things that cannot be seen or smelled, such as carbon monoxide. As a naturally occurring gas, it is impossible to steer clear of carbon monoxide, but a carbon monoxide alarm will indicate when too much of it is about. That is why the carbon monoxide detector is now considered an essential device.
Carbon monoxide is easily produced in the home, particularly where there is a stove burning, but in such small quantities that it is not dangerous. Think about when you feel the room is stuffy and needs some fresh air. This is generally because the innate warning signals of the body is warning about the level of carbon monoxide being breathed in. Obviously, when a fire breaks out, oxygen is burned very quickly. This creates carbon monoxide in vast amounts, making the clouds of smoke so dangerous.
Of course, in a fire, the smoke and heat detectors will go off, negating the need for a detector that measures gas levels. The real problem is that a gas stove that seems to work fine, for example, could be faulty and this will lead to an increase in gas levels over a certain period of time. Because the gas is colourless and odourless, it is completely undetectable naturally, which is why detectors do not need fires to go off. Instead, their sensors will react to a rise in the level of carbon monoxide in the air.
There are a number of different types of sensor technologies in use, but the electrochemical sensor is the predominant one used in modern detectors. In this type of a sensor, an electric current is produced between two electrodes. The current is precisely measured to handle the natural levels of carbon monoxide, with the gas oxidised at one electrode and oxygen consumed at the other. However, when there is a large increase in levels of the gas, the current no longer copes and the alarm will go off.
The reason for its popularity is its accuracy, with the technology used so precise that it reacts to even the smallest increases. This provides a reliability that is, of course, the first concern when installing a detector of any type. However, it is also very cost effective, needing very little power to run and a life span of as many as five years.
The variety of detectors and alarms on the market is quite wide, but Aico is amongst the leaders in this field. The ei261en alarm uses an electrochemical sensor which can be replaced, and in so doing, doubling the life of the device itself. It also sports an interconnect feature, allowing it to be connected to other detectors in the range. It establishes a kind of all for one system, whereby in the event that one alarm sounds, they all will.
Carbon monoxide testing is also simple, with a quick test feature to ensure the detector is working, and although it operates through mains power, it is backed up for ten years by a rechargeable lithium cell battery.
The largest manufacturer of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors is BRK Dicon. Their co850mrli can interlink with as many as 12 alarms to be part of a comprehensive system, with one alarm setting them all off. These models are hardwired, has power, alarm and fault indicators built in and comes with a warranty of 10 years.
It is true that smoke detectors are one of the first safety items considered when deciding how to go about making home as safe as possible. However, there is also a growing realisation that carbon monoxide alarms are just as important.
With the gas itself so prevalent, the risk is never truly gone, so having a carbon monoxide detector attached to the ceilings in kitchens, hallways, bedrooms and living rooms is becoming a priority, and rightfully so.
About the Author
Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Alert Electrical, a leading supplier of quality smoke detectors, bugler alarms, storage heaters, carbon monoxide alarm, switches, cctv. Alert Electrical supplies premium electrical products at value for money prices to trade and retail customers in the United Kingdom. They have been online since year 2000 and have been continually building and investing in their online presence. Find out about why a carbon monoxide detector is a priority to your home.
How To Put Up A Smoke Or Carbon Monoxide Detector
|
|
Portable Handheld Gas Detector $39.95 Portable Handheld Gas Detector Putting safety within your reach This innovati… |
|
|
FIRST ALERT SCO403 SMOKE ALARM & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR COMBO PACK $36.16 FIRST ALERT SCO403 SMOKE ALARM & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR COMBO PACKCARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSOR; SMOKE ALARM WITH IONIZATION SMOKE SENSOR; SIMPLE TO USE SILENCE/TEST BUTTON; LOW BATTERY WARNING; END-OF-LIFE TIMER; LOUD 85 DECIBEL ALARM; CONVENIENT FRONT BATTERY ACCESS; INCLUDES 2 AA BATTERIES FOR CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR & 9V FOR SMOKE ALARM; 5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY… |
|
|
Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Talking Alarm $64.97 The Kidde KN-COSM-B Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm combines two important safety devices into a single unit. This alarm includes a voice warning system that announces “Fire, Carbon Monoxide, Low Battery, or Smart Hush Activation.” The voice alarm eliminates any confusion and clearly warns you and your family of a smoke or carbon monoxide danger, or if your battery is in need of r… |
|
|
First Alert CO615 Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display $27.95 Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, yet many people don’t know they are suffering from CO poisoning until its too late. Since symptoms of CO poisoning are like the flu, you might not even know you’re in danger at first. That’s why a carbon monoxide alarm is an excellent way to protect your family. It can detect the CO you can’t see, smell or taste i… |
|
|
Kidde KN-COSM-IB Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning, Interconnectable $32.50 Untitled Document .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: 20px; } table.callout { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, serif; margin: 10px; width: 250; } td.callout3-c26 { height: 100 percent; background: url(‘http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/th/detail-p… |
|
|
FireX 5700 120V AC Direct Wire Heat Alarm with Battery Back-up The Firex® 5700 Heat Alarm offers contractors the same reliability and quality they have long depended on from the leader in fire safety technology. The Firex Heat Alarm, Model 5700, is a fixed temperature unit that detects heat at 135°F (57°C) or greater. It relies on a thermistor that is sensitive only to temperature. When the temperature reaches 135°F (57°C) or greater, the alarm is trigge… |
|
|
MTI Industries 30-442-WT 12-V Flush Mount LP Gas Detector $56.01 MTI INDUSTRIES 30-442-WT DETECTOR LP 12V FLUSH MNT… |
|
|
MTI Industries 65-542 12-V Flush Mount Hard Wired Carbon Monoxide Alarm $59.95 MTI Industries 12V Hard – Wired Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Stay safe in your RV with this reliable Carbon Monoxide Alarm: Lets you know not only when there are hazardous alarm levels, but “caution” levels too; self-cleaning sensor is ready to detect danger at all times; Retains alarm level for first responders after ventilation so they can help you stay safe in the future; Fully operational during mut… |
|
|
AlertMaster Audio Alarm Transmitter $49.70 Place this unit next to any audio alarm or timing devices in your home up to 80 feet away from base unit. Once triggered, it will send a wireless signal to a receiver to alert you. Works well with timers or fire, smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors. Operates on a 9-Volt Battery (included). Covered under a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Package dimensions (imperial): 1 inch H x 2.75 inch L x 4 i… |
Tags : 