Where to Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the silent killer — colourless, odourless, and deadly. Proper CO detector placement can save lives.
Legal Requirements
From October 2022, all rooms containing a gas appliance in rented properties must have a working CO alarm. We recommend CO alarms in all homes regardless of tenure.
Placement Rules
- Place CO alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall (CO is roughly the same weight as air, unlike smoke)
- Install in every room with a gas appliance (boiler room, kitchen with gas hob)
- Place in bedrooms or landing areas where sleeping occupants would be alerted
- Avoid placing near cooking appliances (can cause false alarms from fumes)
- Don't place in damp areas or near extractor fans
Testing and Replacement
Test your CO alarm weekly. Replace batteries annually. Most CO alarms have a life of 5–7 years — the end-of-life warning beep means replace the whole unit, not just the battery.
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