A carbon monoxide alarm or CO alarm is a vital device which detects the presence of this poisonous carbon monoxide gas in your home to avert carbon monoxide poisoning to you and your family. The first ever commercial CO alarm was developed by Alarm Systems in COntex Inc., according to “The Standard Research on Gas Security”, published in Journal of The American Society of Home Inspectors, volume 30, Issue 3. In the mid-1990s Underwriters Laboratories revised the definition of a single point CO alarm with a sound emitting device to carbon monoxide alarm, as well. With these changes a CO alarm can now be installed in homes with gas appliances.
Most consumers prefer a loud, offensive sound from their CO alarm models. If you’re looking for a discreet CO alarm that is not noticeable, then look into the newer models that are quiet when switched on but still offers excellent audible warning to the family and guests. Some of the newer models of CO alarm products have auto shut off capabilities, so once the sensor senses the presence of carbon monoxide it will turn the audible alarm off. With this ability to turn the system off on its own some newer models offer greater peace of mind than older CO alarms which may leave you a little more worried when a fire does break out in your home. In case of accidental CO poisoning the CO alarm will sound an audible alarm and contact your local fire department. The feature of automatic shut off is a great option if you are away on vacation and can’t respond quickly enough when your CO alarm goes off.
Other CO alarm false alarm sounds could include the classic beeping noise, or the more recent microwave and water sound. These alarm sounds are annoying but most people don’t really consider them as an actual threat to their well being because they usually do not go beyond the scents of carbon monoxide and don’t last longer than a few seconds at most. The carbon monoxide alarm sounds similar to the regular beeping noise that is commonly associated with fire alarms, but without the panic and emergency response.
The majority of people exposed to CO get little or no warning at all from their CO alarm units. Because they only detect the presence of carbon monoxide exposure, they may not sound the alarm until the symptoms of CO toxicity begin to set in. This could cause those exposed to CO to feel helpless and confused, when in reality emergency services are on their way. The longer carbon exposure remains undetected the greater the chance of even greater health hazards developing for the individual.
Some newer models of CO alarm devices include CO2 detection, which will detect levels of carbon monoxide in the air, allowing the unit to recognize when the alarm is triggered. By doing this it allows emergency services to arrive sooner, saving valuable time for everyone involved. Many of the newer carbon monoxide detectors are wireless and can easily fit inside the home or office where they will remain hidden. Some models offer a battery backup in the event that the power is knocked out during an emergency, ensuring that there will always be an available source of power for emergency personnel.
Before purchasing any type of co alarm for your home or business it is recommended that testing should be done. Proper testing should include finding the proper way to turn it on and off, as well as understanding the different levels of exposure that are recommended for different rooms and spaces within the house or building. When testing a CO alarm be sure to find out if there are any built-in battery back up options that are available. Also, find out if you need to test the unit in more than one room. You should have the ability to test all of the rooms that the detector can cover, but having access to multiple monitors for each room could be helpful in the event of a fire or other type of emergency.
Some models have a carbon monoxide alarm also offer a test button that can be pressed when the alarm is first installed. If the unit has this test button and it is pressed several times it will display an alarm symbol on its LED screen. The reason why this test button is important is because if carbon monoxide is detected in any part of the house, but a separate alarm device is used to detect the presence of this hazardous substance in only one area of the house, this test button will allow the user to isolate the area that needs to be tested. This allows the user to remove the carbon monoxide gas from the area without triggering the separate alarms in the rest of the house.
When choosing a co monoxide alarm system the final factor to consider is whether or not the unit utilizes a low battery backup option. A major benefit of this option is that if a power failure occurs the user will still have functional capabilities. Another benefit of this backup option is that if the power goes out in the home it will automatically shut off the co monoxide alarm. A less expensive option is to purchase a monoxide sensor that utilizes a small battery backup in case of a power failure.
Fire safety accessories come in various types however the most important one would appear to be a decent carbon monoxide alarm as all other steps would follow after fire has been successfully and immediately detected. Below are some of the popular carbon monoxide alarms that you could go for to enhance the safety of your premises.