A CO alarm (aka a CO detector) is a battery powered device that detects carbon monoxide (CO) in the air and then sounds an alarm to warn you. The better ones on the market have either a 7 year or 10 year battery life. We do NOT recommend using one that has a shorter life span.
Why do you need one?
Some people do tend to downplay carbon monoxide, but they shouldn’t. Even in small amounts it is harmful, and low levels of CO have been shown to be linked to heart disease. So it is advisable if you have a solid fuel device, to fit a CO alarm that can detect low levels long before you can.
The update to Building Regulations in 2010 insist that a CO alarm must be fitted for all new stove installations, located between 1-3 metres of the stove.
Sometimes people believe that a CO alarm that is located in the kitchen is sufficient for the living room stove as well, but I’m afraid it is not. The CO alarm responsible for detecting carbon monoxide from the stove, MUST be located in the room the stove is in.
