Advice issued via NICEIC requires that carbon monoxide detectors (used to detect the gas from faulty appliances rather than from a fire) should not be linked to the other fire detectors within a domestic property. The reason given is that an alert from the CO2 detector should put in to place a certain resonse from the persons being protected. For example, the opening of windows and doors might be appropriate for a CO2 alert but may not be so for a fire alert. That seems a very fair and obvious point. I have had a brief look through BS5839-6 but cannot pinpoint any reference to this situation. However, manufacturers instructions on domestic CO2 detectors clearly show how to link them to other fire detectors to form a complete system. As I understand it, if CO2 is detected only the CO2 detector will alert and will emit an audible signal different to that of the fire detectors. On the other hand, should there be a fire alert generated from other linked fire detectors then the CO2 alarm will similarly alert. Manufacturers, perhaps understandably, advise placing CO2 detectors not only in rooms containing fuel burning appliances but also in bedrooms as well as at other points such as hall ways and landings. This seems a very messy approach which could mean a CO2 detector being positioned alongside a fire detector. Is any one aware of specific guidance on this matter? Is any one aware of combination detectors for such situations?
Regards,
Lyle Dunn
