How to Test a Carbon Monoxide Detector.Knowing your carbon monoxide detector is working properly is a serious matter.You can test a carbon monoxide detector to ensure it can identify the level of carbon monoxide CO in the air, measured in parts per million ppm.Pressing the Test button on the detector will only tell you whether the device has adequate electrical power from an outlet or batteries.Follow the guidelines below to test your carbon monoxide detectors for accuracy in detecting a poison in your home that can be lethal.Step 1 Install the Carbon Monoxide Detectors Correctly.Make sure all your carbon monoxide detectors are correctly installed, at least one per floor of your house, and more than 1.Step 2 Test Each CO Detector for Proper Function.Press the Test button on each CO detector to ensure it is drawing electrical power.It will emit high pitched, loud beeping, usually louder than a smoke detector.Step 3 Test Digital Readout CO Detectors With a Low Level CO Source.To confirm that a digital readout CO detector is detecting carbon monoxide, test it with a substance that will emit low levels of the gas, such as a lit cigarette or a lit incense wand.As you move the cigarette or wand within eight inches of the CO detector, the digital display should change to register the presence of carbon monoxide.Nest-Protect-Smoke-+-Carbon-Monoxide-Alarm-Battery-White-S1001BW.jpg' alt='Where Do You Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors' title='Where Do You Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors' />If the CO level detected is below 7.Should you have small children or people with respiratory problems living in your home, a level as low as 3.Ideally, you should have carbon monoxide detectors placed throughout your home, as you do smoke alarms.You should place a CO detector in each major area of your home. University Of Iowa Adobe Software . Be sure to install at least one digital readout CO detector in your home.Step 4 Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector Test Kit.Carbon monoxide detector test kits can be purchased where you buy your CO detector.They include a small container full of gas at a high CO concentration, usually up to 1.The alarm will certainly sound during this test, so be prepared.However, this test proves only that your carbon monoxide detector will respond to a CO level well beyond the lethal range.Step 5 Know When Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Will Sound an Alarm.A CO detector approved by UL, the Underwriters Laboratory, will sound an alarm when concentrations of CO reach 7.The alarm must sound within 1.CO levels of 1. 50 ppm.At 2. 00 ppm, the alarm must activate within half an hour.Your CO alarm must buzz within 1.CO level of 4. 00 ppm.An air concentration of CO above 4.Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, even if youre unsure of whether the alarm is valid.Get everyone in the house outside, and open all the windows near the detector to reduce the CO concentration in the air.Call 9. 11 for emergency services and contact your local gas company.
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