Carbon Monoxide and smoke detectors

Originally published January, 2018

What You Should Know About Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors When You Heat With Oil

You probably can’t tell from my picture on the Crowley Fuel website, but I am old enough to remember life before smoke detectors. When they became available I rushed right out and bought them, and I am probably on my sixth or seventh set now. For the safety of yourself and your family, you should have properly-installed smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, and you should always heed the alarms from your safety devices, and leave the building when they go off.
 
Over the years we have received many calls from concerned customers whose carbon monoxide detectors have started beeping. If this is happening to you, and there is a fairly long interval between the beeps, I suggest that you check the date stamped on the bottom. You may find that the CO detector is seven-years old and past its safe and useful life. If the unit is installed in a kitchen or close to a gas or oil-fired appliance, it may also be at the end of its useful life. This happens because the unit is constantly reading low levels of CO, which will use its life up faster. The end-of-life and low-battery alarms are often the same on most CO detectors, so changing the batteries may solve the problem.

Massachusetts codes require that homes must have smoke detectors on every level and CO detectors on every habitable level. For new construction and renovated homes, it is now required to have a smoke detector in every bedroom as well as in the hallways.

Combination units that have both smoke and CO detectors are the best, but don’t buy the cheapest ones! They must talk to tell you what is going on. The voice emitted from the alarm will say smoke (fire) or CO. Whichever message you hear, you must get out of the house. When you call 911, you can let emergency responders know whether it’s a fire or a CO leak. This will help them determine which equipment to bring.

Here are some important things to know:

• CO detectors with a digital read-out with a reset are the best
• Be sure that your detectors will speak to you and tell you what the problem is
• Follow the manufacturers’ specifications when installing your detectors

Most local fire departments will be happy to come into your home and help you figure out where to place your CO and smoke detectors. They love to come in before there is a problem!

Following state codes and having the correct detectors is a very small price to pay for protecting your family and property. Be Safe!

I would like to thank Chief Brad Gannon of the North Brookfield Fire Department for his help in putting this blog together.

Bob

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