Typical to have a CO Detector inside boiler room?

bipbap

I’ve heard different opinions on whether it makes sense to have a CO detector inside the boiler room or just outside of the boiler room.
This is a gas boiler serving a multifamily building.

One guy said that if you put it in the actual boiler room it might go off frequently because there is always some residual carbon monoxide being given off in a small room with a 350k btu gas boiler and 2 50-gallon gas water heaters even though they are all vented and there is fresh air intake.

The boiler room is also right below a child’s room which has a CO detector but we’d rather be extra safe by installing one in the boiler room if that makes sense and isn’t going to go off frequently.
Any thoughts on this?

bipbap

Also if it makes a difference I was just going to put a plug in CO/smoke detector type detector in there.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Put one in and try it. The code rules are different everywhere. In some locations they are required in boiler rooms that have equipment with sealed combustion.

In my house I had a standard boiler without sealed combustion I had one about 12-15' from the boiler. Never had an issue. Except when I replaced the boiler and was soldering fittings and forgot to bag it with a plastic bag and set off all 7 interconnected detectors

Derheatmeister

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

Put one in and try it. The code rules are different everywhere. In some locations they are required in boiler rooms that have equipment with sealed combustion.

In my house I had a standard boiler without sealed combustion I had one about 12-15' from the boiler. Never had an issue. Except when I replaced the boiler and was soldering fittings and forgot to bag it with a plastic bag and set off all 7 interconnected detectors

As a certified carbon monoxide specialist i do not understand why a sealed combustion appliance would require a Carbon monoxide detector over an atmospheric boiler..
I would think about this in the opposite way..Isn't a proper installed sealed combustion appliance is less likely to have a spill than a atmospheric ? Can you please advise ?

Derheatmeister

bipbap said:

Also if it makes a difference I was just going to put a plug in CO/smoke detector type detector in there.

In my opinion the plug in types are not so good..
A proper installed Carbon Monoxide detector should be at least 5 feet off the Ground,Normally plugs in are close to the Ground..
We like battery operated Low level MONITORS which will give you a real time response/readout, Not UL listed DETECTORS that will only react after 90 minutes while being exposed to 100 PPM or 35 minutes @ 200 PPM.
My personal experience with most fire departments shows that even they do not understand Carbon monoxide.
Your heating contractor MAY be able to help you..
For the safety of you and your family its best to call a Professional certified Carbon monoxide specialist for advise..
Hope this helps..

bipbap

Thanks for the thoughts.
it is a fairly small boiler room so anywhere I put the detector would be within 5 feet of the boiler.
The outlet is at light switch height so not on the ground.

pecmsg

UL listed CO detectors will not alarm until the CO level reaches and maintains 70 PPM for 60 - 180 Mins. NOT a good idea.

Get at least 1 "Low Level" CO detector that will alert / alarm at 15-20PPM. My preference is the Defender.

bipbap

Ok got it
But going back to the original question- should I put it inside the boiler room?

pecmsg

bipbap said:

Ok got it
But going back to the original question- should I put it inside the boiler room?

If code doesn't call for it and you feel safer that way sure.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Derheatmeister

I didn't make the law. That's the way it is in MA. A few years ago a high efficiency unit installed on Cape Cod snow drifts blocked the horizontal vent and someone died.

ethicalpaul

I put mine in a spare outlet at the ceiling directly over the top of my draft hood. It has never gone off.

Derheatmeister

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

@Derheatmeister

I didn't make the law. That's the way it is in MA. A few years ago a high efficiency unit installed on Cape Cod snow drifts blocked the horizontal vent and someone died.

I did not insinuate that you made this law... I was just looking for more information regarding the " Discrimination" on Sealed combustion having to have Carbon Monoxide detector vs. Atmospheric not having to have them.
Laws/Code requirements is written/Implemented for various reasons..
Mostly they are implemented to protect people from doing things that may harm them or others And as we all know sometimes Manufactures also lobby to past laws that will promote the sales of the products they offer.
We also had our share of recent updates in the Code here in Colorado.
One of them is that Carbon Monoxide Monitors need to be installed within 15 feet of every bedroom and they need not be expired.
This Code was implemented after a Family died in Aspen...They had won their stay at the home in a charity auction raising money for the children’s school.
I Think that this is a good law !
As far as i understood the Installing contractor Made multiple Mistakes which caused the system to:
1. Have very high levels of Carbon Monoxide on a ModCon Boiler....My commissioned Modcons operate Well below 100 PPM even at 10000 feet in elevation.. I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT but on some of our installations may get an headache if you stood in front of the exhaust for a day.
I Think that is Time for a Governing agenty/Code official to want to see a Combustion Analysis upon inspection !
3. Venting came undone:The venting was made of PVC (Which most PVC manufactures do NOT approve of) and it was also not installed correctly..In my opinion PVC needs to be Banned for Condensing boiler/furnace installs.
It siems to me that MA may have had a similar situation as we had here in Colorado but there is most likely more to this story and it is weird that Sealed combustion Appliances are singled out It should apply to all Appliances that can Produce Carbon Monoxide !

Robert O'Brien

You can install wherever you want in NYS but garages,boiler rooms,kitchens and bathroom detectors don't count toward requirements