CO WP Placement Testing

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White Paper

February 2007

Eliminating Confusion:
Proper Placement, Testing and Maintenance
of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Eliminating Confusion: Proper Placement, Testing and Maintenance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

For security dealers, installers, distributors and authorities having


jurisdiction (AHJs) in the life safety community, the cycling of product
introductions tends to cause mass confusion with proper placement, testing
and maintenance. The life safety industry’s newest and fastest growing
segment is system-connected carbon monoxide detection. This document
details the National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) requirements for the
proper placement, testing and maintenance of system-connected carbon
monoxide detectors.
Industry Challenges
Unlike smoke detection devices that have been drastically enhanced over
thirty-plus years, system-connected carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are
still in a stage of infancy. The stringent NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm Code
that exists for fire alarm systems does not yet exist for the CO segment in
NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Warning
Equipment in Dwelling Units. In fact, many manufacturers and states have
different installation and maintenance requirements for CO detectors. This
causes confusion for fire protection professionals in search of consistent
codes.
Because the life safety community is so large and widespread, communicating
the vast array of CO requirements is difficult.
The purpose of this document is to detail the existing placement, testing
and maintenance requirements of NFPA 720, 2005 edition.
NFPA’s Current Requirements for Carbon Monoxide Detection
The current 2005 edition of NFPA 720 only covers dwelling/household
occupancies and only states the following:
Placement:
• 5.1.1.1 - A carbon monoxide alarm or detector shall be centrally located
outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the
bedrooms.
• 5.1.1.2 - Each alarm or detector shall be located on the wall, ceiling, or
other location as specified in the installation instructions that accompany
the unit.
• 5.4.1.1 - All carbon monoxide alarms or detectors shall be installed in
accordance with manufacturer’s installation instructions.
NOTE: The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) may conduct research
involving the placement and spacing of CO detectors. Such research could

System Sensor. Advanced Ideas. Advanced Solutions. 2


Eliminating Confusion: Proper Placement, Testing and Maintenance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

aid in creating more specific and objective CO detection standards.


Testing:
• 5.5.2 - Testing Alarms, systems, and all connected notification appliances
shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions at least once a month.
• Note that NFPA 720 does not require functional field testing, the
introduction of CO gas to the detector via a canned aerosol tester. Most
manufacturers of system-connected CO detectors recommend field
testing via a test button. Functional testing is not recommended unless
the testing kits are UL listed. Furthermore, using these testing kits can
be expensive and time consuming.
Maintenance:
• 5.5.1 – If batteries are used as a source of energy, they shall be replaced
in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Expanding Past Infancy Stage for CO Detection
Although the 2005 edition of NFPA 720 only covers dwelling/household
occupancies, the NFPA 720 Technical Committee is currently in the process of
revising the standard, which is expected to include non-dwelling occupancies
such as hotels, day care centers and schools (the standard will mirror NFPA
72). The revised NFPA 720 will most likely include more precise placement,
testing and maintenance sections, which, in turn, will force manufacturers
to design system-connected CO detectors to a uniform code.
Benefits of Standardizing Placement, Testing and Maintenance of
CO Detectors
Manufacturers will be obliged to comply with industry standards. This
benchmark will lead to the creation of stronger products, which will:
• Better meet the life safety needs of the general public.
• Eliminate confusion amongst the life safety community as to where to
place and how to test and maintain CO detectors.
Conclusion
Until the revised edition of NFPA 720 is released, contact local or state
jurisdictions for local and state requirements. Also, check with the
manufacturer for the CO detector’s particular requirements.

System Sensor. Advanced Ideas. Advanced Solutions. 3


Eliminating Confusion: Proper Placement, Testing and Maintenance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

For placement, testing, maintenance or other information regarding System Sensor’s


new CO1224 carbon monoxide detector contact:

System Sensor
3825 Ohio Avenue
St. Charles, Illinois 60174
1-800-sensor2
www.systemsensor.com

A05-1055-000 • 1/07 • #1777 System Sensor. Advanced Ideas. Advanced Solutions. 4

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