What are Carbon Monoxide Fire Detectors?
Carbon Monoxide, known by its chemical formula CO, is an
odourless, tasteless, invisible and toxic gas. It is produced by
the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, petrol, diesel and
paraffin. If this gas is not vented correctly, it can build up and
cause ill health and even death.
Home CO detectors detect the build-up of CO and alert residents
that there is a risk of CO poisoning. Apollo do not produce
this type of CO detector.
CO fire detectors, however, are used to indicate the outbreak of
fire by sensing the level of CO in the air. They use the same
sensing technology as home CO detectors, but are more sensitive and
respond more quickly.
CO fire detectors have an electrochemical cell which senses CO,
but not smoke or any other combustion products. They are effective
in detecting certain types of fire such as smouldering fires. This
type of fire produces CO which can be detected some distance from
the seat of the fire.
Smoke detectors, however, will almost certainly give a better
response to a fire that has produced a rising plume of smoke. CO
fire detectors will give a poor response to flaming fires.
Apollo manufacturers a CO detector as part of the Discovery
range. To find out more, download our CO
detector literature PDF.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has issued guidelines for
the use of CO detectors. To find out more, visit their website at
www.fia.uk.com