CO mounting and response

[ano]

I'm reading that because of keyless ignition, people have been known to leave their car running by mistake. I really don't think this is all that uncommon. I did it once, but luckily it was outside at the time, and we have a friend that did it with her Prius in her garage. Anyway I know mounting the CO sensor in the garage is not smart, but is a foot or two inside leading to the garage OK?  
 
Also, should the CO sensor trigger, would the monitoring company send the fire department or send the police or just send you an email?

 

[cobra]

I suspect that it's not done routinely because you don't sleep in your entry way. CO won't kill you if you walk in to a closed garage with a running car. Most people would smell it (not the CO, but the exhaust) and notice the car running. Then open the garage. I guess if their were elderly or disabled in the house that might be more of a concern though. If there were, I'd probably just put one in the garage then. I don't know the standards, maybe someone else will comment.

 

[wuench]

I think the typical response is to send out the fire department.   And if you mount it too close to the garage you will likely get falses.   For example if you close the garage door  early enough after parking before all the exhaust is out and then open the door to the house, creating a draft into the house.  I have done that several times.
 
I think you are best mounting the CO sensors where they are recommended, inside bedrooms, etc.  or if you do mount it in/close to the garage mark it as non-alarm and use a rule to alert you.  If you sell the house do the next person a favor and remove/disable any non-standard stuff like this.

 

[Del91574]

Garage and monitored are a bad idea. You could, however, set one up as standaone and wire the contacts in parallel with the OHD opener and use a OHD contact as an interlock, so detection would force the OHD open. Local alarm only and independent of the system. Never use a rule to annunciate a safety condition, KISS.

Immediately adjacent to the door is a poor location due to strong drafts and air movement. Typically you'd want one central to the location where people congregate or sleep. System connected alarms, the fire alarm is supposed to always take a higher precedence than CO. Tandem ring may be desired, and achieved, but must be temp 4.
 
Typical pro monitored response would be to dispatch the FD. They would be the only people with the equipment to meter the situation. How your CS acts and responds would need confirmation, however I would say due to liability issues, they should call the FD.
 
The standards can be viewed for free, NFPA 720 and most manufacturers have white papers and installation documents.
 
System Sensor: http://www.systemsensor.com/en-us/documents/system-connected_co_detector_app_guide_coag103.pdf
 
I've used System Sensor for years. Prior to that, it was ESL/GE 240's (and subsequent massive recalls) and the prior version before being bought by GE, Concord. I've also used Macurco (the old flush mount 2 gang units) but after consideration, you have to think about the drafts that many wall cavities have. Also serviced systems that used PAMA units.

 

[ano]

Thanks all this is good advice.  I do have CO monitors outside of bedrooms, but my bedrooms are on the opposite side of the house, and I'd like to catch problems before they would go off. Opening the garage door is a great idea. I do unlock all my doors for a fire alarm, so this is similar.  I have a hallway inside the garage entry door which will be perfect. Far away enough from the garage but away from drafts. 

 

[Del91574]

I wouldn't hook the CO into the alarm if it's in a location that is likely to false.
 
In a multi-storey house with attached garage and common wall or garage under the house, it could be likely that CO could migrate if there's poor tape joints and mud job. Part of the reason why inspectors are supposed to crack down on the mud and tape joints.
 
I probably wouldn't worry about unlocking a door on a fire alarm. Hardware is supposed to be free egress inside with no prior knowledge. If you have a situation where it's not, then you'd need to consider that issue.