Good morning, Martin:

One of my CO detectors is located about four inches off the ground – but that happens to be at the top of a flight of stairs which at as a thermal bypass, the bottom of which is where one of our wood burning stoves is located (our primary source of heat).

So, the location of the meter is simultaneously at ground level (at the bottom of the second floor), and at ceiling level (at the top of the ground floor).

CO will move along pressure differentials – that’s it. The most important point in location selection is 1) Occupancy considerations and then second 2) Anticipated air flow patterns.

Bruce -

Good question. However the problem would be with regard to determing the end point. For example, is the end point explosion to toxic properties? A perfect case in point would in fact be CO - which is an explosive gas.

There are infrared gas analyzers for distiguishing various gas species, but I have never seen anything for home owner. Usually, we just rely on the mercaptans that are introduced into gas to make it smell bad.

Cheers!
Caoimhín P. Connell
Forensic Industrial Hygienist
Forensic Industrial Hygiene

(The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect my professional opinion, opinion of my employer, agency, peers, or professional affiliates. The above post is for information only and does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supercede the professional advice of others.)

AMDG