What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is extremely dangerous to human health. CO can be produced when fuels such as wood, gas, coal or oil burn incompletely. Almost invisible and undetectable, carbon monoxide can cause fatigue, headaches, confusion, and even death in higher concentrations. Therefore carbon monoxide detectors are vital to the safety of homes and workplaces.
The importance of carbon monoxide detectors
Because CO is undetectable without special devices, carbon monoxide detectors are the only reliable protection against this poisonous gas hazard. These devices are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the air and alert people with audible or visual signals so that action can be taken to prevent a potential tragedy.
How do carbon monoxide detectors work?
There are several different types of carbon monoxide detectors with different operating principles:
Biomimetic sensors
These sensors use a gel that changes color in response to carbon monoxide, mimicking the reaction of hemoglobin in the blood. Although these detectors are inexpensive, their response times may be slower and color changes may be more difficult to detect at lower CO concentrations.
Electrochemical sensors
It is the most accurate and most common carbon monoxide detector technology. These sensors have chemical elements that, during an electrochemical reaction with CO gas, create an electric current proportional to the gas concentration in the air. They are extremely sensitive and can detect very low concentrations of CO.
Semiconductor sensors
These detectors use semiconductors that change their electrical resistance when exposed to CO gas. Although they may be less accurate, these sensors are resistant to temperature changes and have a long service life.
Installation and maintenance of detectors
Detectors should be installed near sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances such as stoves, fireplaces or heating boilers. It is important that the detector is installed at a certain height from the floor, since carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and tends to rise.
Supervision
Maintenance of detectors is very important to ensure their operational efficiency. It is recommended to check the batteries regularly (if the device runs on batteries) and perform the tests according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some models have a test button that allows you to check if the device is working correctly.
Carbon monoxide detectors are an invaluable investment in the safety of you and your loved ones. The acquisition and proper use of these devices can save lives by detecting carbon monoxide at an early stage and enabling a rapid response. Given their importance, every homeowner should consider installing these detectors for maximum security.
