Why is it necessary to install a carbon monoxide detector at home
O monóxido de carbono é incolor, inodoro, and tasteless gas, also known as the ‘silent killer’. Due to its extremely high toxicity, inhaling excessive carbon monoxide can cause serious harm to the human body, even leading to death. Carbon monoxide poisoning is also a significant safety hazard that cannot be ignored in household use. Early detection and handling of carbon monoxide leakage incidents can effectively prevent unnecessary loss of life and property damage. Installing a carbon monoxide alarm can detect the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and immediately sound an alarm when the concentration exceeds safety standards. Portanto, installing carbon monoxide detector has become an important means of protecting household safety.
When is it necessary to use a carbon monoxide alarm in the home?
The use of carbon monoxide detectors in households is crucial for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. In the following situations, you need to consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm:
- There are gas stoves, gas water heaters and other gas equipment in the household;
- Equipment that uses chimneys or flues to discharge exhaust gases in households;
- There are charcoal stoves, ovens, barbecue grills and other barbecue equipment in the home;
- There is a garage and parking for motor vehicles such as cars in the household.
What are the signs of carbon monoxide in the house?
- Use a carbon monoxide detector: This is the most intuitive and effective method. A CO detector can monitor the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air in real time. When carbon monoxide is detected, the detector will sound an alarm to alert you of the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. When purchasing a detector, please ensure that it has relevant certifications and a good reputation to ensure the accuracy of the testing.
- Observe the combustion condition: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is not easily detected. In daily life, we can indirectly determine the presence of carbon monoxide by observing the combustion conditions observed. Por exemplo, near a combustion furnace or gas stove, if the flame color appears blue and the fire suddenly increases, it may indicate the presence of carbon monoxide in the air. Because carbon monoxide is flammable, its presence can ignite flames. But this is only a preliminary judgment, and further confirmation is needed through other methods.
- Observe the physical condition of family members: Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide may cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue in the human body. If these symptoms occur and there are indeed devices in the home that may produce carbon monoxide, one should be alert to possible carbon monoxide leaks. No entanto, it is difficult to accurately determine based solely on these symptoms, and other means such as using detectors or professional testing services need to be combined to confirm.
Attention, once a possible carbon monoxide leak is detected, immediate measures should be taken, such as ventilation, closing potential sources, etc., and professional equipment should be used for detection and repair as soon as possible. Ensuring family safety is crucial.
Where should the carbon monoxide detector be installed
Carbon monoxide detectors can be installed in areas where family members have long-term activities, such as bedrooms and lobbies, or near areas where carbon monoxide may be produced or leaked. The installation height is about 1.5 metros. In multi story residential buildings, it is recommended to install on every floor. If the carbon monoxide alarm is placed in an environment below 4 ℃ for more than half an hour, it will stop working and needs to be placed in a greenhouse environment for more than 12 hours to function properly.
When installing a carbon monoxide alarm, avoid the following locations:
- Do not install in dirty, dusty, or greasy places such as kitchens, garages, and rooms. Oil, pó, or household chemicals can contaminate or contaminate the sensing head of the alarm, causing it to malfunction.
- Do not block the vent of the alarm. Install the alarm in a well ventilated area that is not obstructed by curtains, furniture, or other objects.
- Do not install in areas with poor air circulation, such as the top of arched ceilings or pointed roofs, as carbon monoxide cannot reach the sensing head in time and issue an early alarm.
- Do not install in strong winds from ceiling fans, near doors and windows that lead outdoors, near fresh air vents, or in any other well ventilated area. The rapid circulation of air from the fan or fresh outdoor air can affect the response of the alarm.
- Do not install in places with temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius or above 38 degrees Celsius, including rooms, attics, corredores, and garages. Extreme temperatures will affect the sensitivity of the alarm.
What can set off a carbon monoxide detector?
In addition to carbon monoxide, the following substances will trigger the CO alarm at a certain concentration.
Methane, propane, isobutane, ethylene, ethanol, alcohol, isopropanol, benzene, toluene, acetaldehyde, acetate, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide. Almost all aerosol sprays, alcohol preparations, paints, thinners, solvents, adhesives, hair products, aftershave water, perfume, automobile exhaust (cold start) and some detergent substitutes.
Why does the carbon monoxide detector beeps and how to deal with it
The continuous alarm of the carbon monoxide detector may be due to the following reasons:
- The concentration of carbon monoxide in the on-site ambient air has indeed exceeded the standard, reaching or exceeding the alarm value.
- Abnormal working environment, such as carbon monoxide source or other interfering gases when starting up.
- The alarm value is set too low, below the normal environmental background value.
- The detector experiences zero/range drift and requires calibration or maintenance.
- Insufficient illumination of detector battery
- Internal malfunction of the detector.
The handling methods vary depending on the reasons:
- If it is due to excessive concentration of carbon monoxide, windows should be opened immediately for ventilation, and indoor personnel should be transferred to the outside. According to the poisoning situation, timely medical treatment should be taken.
- If it is due to abnormal working environment, the detector should be turned off and the instrument should be moved to a place without interfering gases.
- If the alarm value is set too low, the alarm value should be adjusted according to the actual situation. Generally, the low alarm value for carbon monoxide is 25% of the maximum range of 500ppm, which is 125ppm.
- If it is due to detector drift, zero/range calibration should be performed according to the instructions.
- If it is due to insufficient battery power of the detector, a new battery should be replaced immediately.
- If it is due to instrument malfunction, the manufacturer should be contacted for repair in a timely manner.
How to ensure the normal operation of carbon monoxide detector?
1. Regularly check the sensors and batteries of the equipment
During the use of carbon monoxide detectors, it is necessary to regularly check whether the sensors and batteries of the equipment are working properly. If any abnormal situation is found, it is necessary to replace the battery in a timely manner or contact after-sales service personnel for repair.
2. Regularly clean the appearance and gas pipelines of the equipment
During the use of carbon monoxide detectors, the appearance and air ducts of the equipment should be regularly cleaned to maintain ventilation and heat dissipation. You can use a soft cloth or cotton swab for cleaning, but do not use water or chemicals for cleaning.
3. Regularly calibrate and maintain equipment
During the use of carbon monoxide detectors, regular calibration and maintenance of the equipment should be carried out. Professional calibration tools can be used for calibration to ensure the measurement accuracy and stability of the equipment. Ao mesmo tempo, regular maintenance and upkeep should be carried out, including replacing filter screens, cleaning air pipelines, and other operations, to ensure the normal operation and effectiveness of the equipment.
What is the continuous working time of the carbon monoxide detector?
The power consumption of different carbon monoxide detectors varies. Geralmente, the built-in battery of the carbon monoxide detector can provide continuous operation for more than 150 hours. If the battery runs out, we need to replace it. The lifespan of the electronic equipment inside the CO detector is generally 5-7 anos, and it needs to be replaced if used beyond this time. The manual of the carbon monoxide detector contains relevant information, and reading the manual carefully is the first important step in use.
