Next to an external door, window or ventilation equipment such as extractor fans, air vents or similar ventilation opening.In an enclosed space such as behind furniture or in a cupboard.Too near your fireplace or any appliance that produces flames (like your gas hob).If the alarm is located on the ceiling, it should be at least 300 mm from any wall and any ceiling obstruction e.g. You should check your smoke detector to see whether it is already fitted with a carbon monoxide detector. Some carbon monoxide alarms are built into ceiling-mounted multipurpose fire alarms.Make sure the alarm is between 1 and 3 m (measured horizontally) from the potential source of CO, such as boilers and ovens.At least 150 mm from the ceiling, above the height of any door or openable window (for wall mounted alarms).At least 300 mm from any wall (for ceiling mounted alarms).

This could be on a shelf or bookcase it doesn’t have to be fixed on a wall. You should ideally have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your house and definitely in the same room as any fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler, stove or oven.Here are the things you need to consider when placing a carbon monoxide detector: In order for your carbon monoxide alarm to work correctly, it is essential you put it in the right place. Where to place a carbon monoxide detector You can find out more about carbon monoxide on our ‘What is Carbon Monoxide Page?’. This can causes headaches, dizziness and nausea, before ultimately becoming fatal. It is very difficult to detect because of its lack of odour and excess carbon monoxide starves the body of oxygen by combining with haemoglobin in the lungs. While harmless in an outdoor or well ventilated area, carbon monoxide can be lethal in enclosed spaces. Positioning and maintaining your carbon monoxide alarmĬarbon monoxide (CO) alarms are the most effective way to detect carbon monoxide in the air and alert you to the presence of the dangerous gas.Ĭarbon monoxide consists of one part oxygen and one part carbon and is produced by partially burned carbon fuel sources like natural gas, coal, petrol, wood and propane.

Portable carbon monoxide detector