Testing a Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Not unless you are still driving that 1967 Impala.

Joe

No, that would just wreck the sensor.

If you *must* have a real test, buy a test kit like "Detectagas", for about $20.

The instructions on mine mentioned using a candle or a cigarette. The level won't trigger the alarm but it will display on the readout. There is actually a warning to properly extinguish the cigrarette after the test or it might burn you. Duh.

-rev

So you don't damage the equipment, I'm guessing you should follow the directions that came with the detector. I've only noticed that they require a test button to be be pressed.

tom @

They should be good for 5-10 years. I replace mine at five years. Well actually I do a monkey move up. The oldest one moves to the trash and the newest on goes right outside the bedrooms with the next newest moving downstairs. I buy one every five years. I have three years to go.

One has a digital readout. I could bring it down around the furnace - water heater and I could get a very low reading, but not enough to set it off.

It's probably intended for people who don't smoke.

So they don't know how cigarettes work.

hold it a few feet away from your lawnmower's exhaust. If you car is working properly, there will not be significant CO output. Small engines drive them wild.

If I turn on my gas logs without opening the fireplace damper, the CO alarm will sound.