Do I need CO alarm for coal fire?

[Guest Baldrick]

Hi

I have a CO alarm in my boiler room where my gas boiler is. Do I need one in the living room where we have an open fire and burn coal and wood. I am a bit confused as I thought CO was only due to gas boilers but a friend has said otherwise.

Cheers

[Tom Sutton]

Your friend is absolutely correct, any form of combustion using carbon products, produces carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO²)when the carbon in the fuel combines with oxygen, (C+O) or (C+O+O). It all depends on the supply of oxygen and how efficiently the carbon combines with the oxygen also how efficiently the products of combustion is removed that's why in modern houses you need vents fitting and effective chimneys. In days of yore you had gales blowing through the gaps in doors and windows and had chimneys little boys could climb up, so vents were never needed.

[Guest Baldrick]

Hi Tom

Thank you for that, I guess I need to get myself an alarm then. I should probably get one for my mum too, she sits in front of her coal fire all day at the moment, and all night if she nods off in her chair! Is there an alarm that is good for elderly people to use, she is not good with 'gadgets'.

Cheers

[Tom Sutton]

Most of the ones I have seen there is only a test button and indicator lights. These are to inform you the battery state and when the alarm is working, but I would suspect the high pitched signal you are hearing would be a clue it is operating. You could do the testing, maintenance and simple instruct your mother when the alarm operates go and get help.