CO detector is a pole barn

[olgreyhair]

Hello all. We have a 30x40x14ft pole barn.
I was thinking it would be a good idea to put a smoke/co detector out there because of the wood stove. As the ceiling is too darn high to reach easily, does anyone have any recommendations about placement and height?
Thanks, G

 

[The Cobbler]

Co detector doesn't matter where it is located as CO is virtually the same weight as air
Smokes should be up high to sense smoke (smoke rises)
anything I've seen doesn't suggest alarms in non continuous heated spaces

 

[rct]

Generally smoke and heat rise during a fire, so ceiling/peak is best, but having one in there at any height would be better than not having one. If you get the newer 10-year style battery versions, that's not too often to get the ladder out. The extra money is worth the less hassle, even if they only last 7-8 years which is when I find that CO detectors tend to go bad.

 

[olgreyhair]

True enough. Thanks for the advice.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think you are going to get some false positives and alarm trips.

CO detector, yeah maybe. Something like a Nighthawk with a digital readout, AC with a battery back up.

Smoke detector with a wood stove. I wouldn't.

Heat detector /rate of rise detector, I think would be better.

 

[olgreyhair]

Thanks Eric. I'll let you know. Installed about 6ft off floor. so hopefully small amounts of wood smoke will not trip. We'll see. G

 

[marklc]

FYI Vehicle exhaust will sometimes trip a CO alarm also.

 

[olgreyhair]

yes. I guess it would.
you know, it's almost impossible to commit suicide with a Honda civic. Not that I recommend trying, but they, along with other modern cars put out so little co, they say it's hard to get enough to kill you. Again. Don't try this at home!! This is only hearsay!!

 

[Jlbc212]

yes. I guess it would.
you know, it's almost impossible to commit suicide with a Honda civic. Not that I recommend trying, but they, along with other modern cars put out so little co, they say it's hard to get enough to kill you. Again. Don't try this at home!! This is only hearsay!!

I suspect your comment is "tongue in cheek," but running any kind of device, even a clean burning Honda Civic, that consumes oxygen in an enclosed space without a fresh air intake will eventually reduce the oxygen level and the device will begin to produce carbon monoxide. The rate of carbon monoxide production will increase rapidly as long as the device continues to operate.

 

[olgreyhair]

Yes sir. My apologies for not being PC.
We wouldn't want to endanger anybody dumb enough to try.

 

[climb.on]

Heat detector /rate of rise detector, I think would be better.

NUTTS...do you have a model recommendation by chance? I've seen this suggested several times in various places, but I don't come up with much in my searches unless it's part of a larger alarm/security/fire suppression system. Anything standalone?

 

[Jlbc212]

NUTTS...do you have a model recommendation by chance? I've seen this suggested several times in various places, but I don't come up with much in my searches unless it's part of a larger alarm/security/fire suppression system. Anything standalone?

I've seen many rate of rise heat detectors but never a stand alone unit. However, it is possible to connect a rate of rise heat detector in your pole barn or garage into your home's smoke detectors. IMHO it doesn't make much sense to have any fire detection device in a separate, unmanned building unless it activates an alarm that can be detected at another location to initiate some type of response.

I had a CO detector in my 28 x 36 garage just to alert me when I was working in the garage to the presence of CO. What I soon discovered was starting and running any carbon based fuel motor quickly set off the CO detector even with one of the two 12' x 10' doors open. The CO detector became a nuisance. I'm now very careful to minimize the running of any motor in the garage.

 

[teamextreme]

I just did some research this morning to find a residential style rate of rise detector for my detached shop. I also got advice that a smoke/CO detector wouldn't be a good choice due to welding, dust, heater, vehicles running, etc. It took some searching to find one that is compatible with residential (standard 3-wire hookup) and not set up for FA systems, includes both heat alarm and rate of rise, and is reasonably priced. All my house detectors are Kidde and I like them, but they only offer a heat detectors, no ROR. BRK and First Alert both make one that fits the bill (basically the same unit). This is the one I'm ordering off Amazon.
http://www.brkelectronics.com/product/HD6135FB#TabbedPanelsTab3

I will be tieing this detector into a single smoke detector back in the house so it will provide remote annunciation.