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Combustion Safety - CO Alarms Installed

    Scope
    Scope Images
    Image
    Carbon monoxide alarm
    Scope

    Install a carbon monoxide alarm in any home equipped with combustion appliance(s) or an attached garage.

    • Install the alarm in a central location, in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping area.
    • Hard-wire the alarm(s) to the home's electrical system and provide a battery back-up.

    See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home programENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.

    Description
    Description

    Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless colorless gas produced through the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. It can be deadly to humans. Any home containing a combustion appliance or having an attached garage should have a CO alarm installed in a central location in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping area of the home. 

    Incomplete combustion is more likely to occur in combustion equipment that is not maintained regularly or calibrated properly, thereby causing CO production to increase. CO can be released into living spaces from any of the following:

    • an improperly adjusted burner;
    • a combustion appliance with an insufficient supply of air;
    • a combustion appliance paired with a disconnected or leaking vent pipe;
    • an unvented space heater; or
    • back-drafting of combustion products from a combustion appliance.
    • an idling vehicle in an attached garage.

    Properly installing, venting, and maintaining combustion equipment will encourage efficient combustion processes which will limit CO production and reduce the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the home. Ensuring that any installed combustion appliances are sealed combustion, direct vent models will also reduce the likelihood of having CO in the home. However, equipment malfunctions can go unnoticed. A CO alarm (Figure 1) is a valuable and low-cost solution that provides a second level of protection for occupant safety.

    CO alarms should be certified to either the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) 6.19-01 or Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2034 and should be placed according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 720 requirements. The alarms should be hard-wired to the home’s electrical system; this is an Indoor airPLUS requirement that exceeds the UL 2034 Standard.

    CO alarm
    Figure 1. A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm (Image courtesy of PNNL.)

     

    How to Install a Carbon Monoxide Alarm

    1. Install a carbon monoxide alarm in any home equipped with combustion appliance(s) or an attached garage.
    2. Select a monitor that is certified to either the CSA 6.19-01 or Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2034.
    3. Locate the monitor in accordance with NFPA 720 requirements.
      • Install the alarm in a central location, in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping area.
      • Hard-wire the alarm(s) to the home's electrical system and provide a battery back-up.
    4. Provide the homeowner with maintenance, testing, and replacement instructions.
      • Vacuum the alarm monthly.
      • Do not paint over the alarm.
      • Avoid spraying aerosols around the alarm.
      • Test weekly or as described by the manufacturer by pushing the test/reset button.
      • If the alarm shows an end of life indication, replace the unit promptly.
    Success
    Ensuring Success

    Verify that the alarm is certified to either CSA 6.19-01 or UL 2034 and test the alarm after installation.

    Climate
    Climate

    No climate-specific information applies.

    Training
    Presentations
    Compliance

    Compliance

    The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

     

    DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)

    Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
    Exhibit 1, Item 6) Certified under EPA Indoor airPLUS.

     

    EPA Indoor airPLUS

    5.2 Carbon Monoxide Alarms. All homes equipped with combustion appliance(s) or an attached garage shall have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm installed in a central location in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping zone (e.g., in a hallway adjacent to bedrooms.) The alarm(s) shall be hard-wired with a battery back-up function and placed according to NFPA 720. The alarms shall be certified by either CSA 6.19-01 or UL 2034.

     

    National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 720

    Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide(CO) Detection and Warning Equipment

    Retrofit
    Existing Homes

    The guidance provided in this guide is applicable to both new and existing homes.

    Follow safe work practices as described in the Global Worker Safety section of the U.S. Department of Energy's Standard Work Specifications.

    For additional information on carbon monoxide alarms, see DOE's Standard Work Specifications.

    More

    More Info.

    Access to some references may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

    Case Studies
    Author(s)
    Gas Technology Institute,
    University of Minnesota
    Organization(s)
    NSTAR,
    PARR,
    NorthernSTAR
    Publication Date
    Description
    Case study describing a method for evaluating safe installation and operation of combustion appliances in homes undergoing energy efficiency upgrades where indoor air is used for combustion and venting.
    References and Resources*
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
    National Service Center for Environmental Publications
    Organization(s)
    EPA,
    NSCEP
    Publication Date
    Description
    Source for information about Carbon Monoxide including health effects and measures to reduce exposure.
    Author(s)
    Canadian Standards Association International
    Organization(s)
    CSA International,
    CSA Group
    Publication Date
    Description
    Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2001 and revised in...
    Author(s)
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Organization(s)
    EPA
    Publication Date
    Description
    Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.
    *For non-dated media, such as websites, the date listed is the date accessed.
    Contributors to this Guide

    The following authors and organizations contributed to the content in this Guide.

    Gas Technology Institute, lead for the Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit (PARR), a DOE Building America Research Team

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