A CO alarm can be installed anywhere on the wall between 6-inches above the floor to 6-inches below the ceiling, or on the ceiling except within 6-inches of the wall. There are two reasons for this:

1) Although carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air, it mixes easily into the air and circulates at all levels, so height above the floor is not an issue, except that...

2) The requirement to keep it away from corners is to avoid the “dead space” at corners that does not get adequate air circulation.

   CO alarms should be installed in the area immediately outside of all bedrooms and on each floor of a multilevel house. Also, place the alarms at least 5 to 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. 

   If you plan on using Combo CO/Smoke alarms, like the one shown at the top of the page, to comply with CO alarm requirements, they should be placed to the specs for smoke alarms, as shown below.

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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about SAFETY: 

• Why is it important to use "cabinet screws" to mount the upper cabinets in the kitchen?

• Is the door between an attached garage and the house required to have a closer (self-closing device)?

• Can the smoke sensors in a home security/fire alarm system replace the smoke alarms required by the building code?

• Should I get a lightning rod system to protect my house? 

• What are the "Aging In Place" features to look for when buying a retirement home?

• What is aging in place? 

• How do I safely remove a dead rodent (rat, mouse or squirrel) from the attic?

• Does pushing the test button on a smoke alarm test the smoke sensor device inside? 

• What is the minimum height of a ceiling fan above the floor?

• Should a smoke alarm be installed in the kitchen? 

• Why is a double cylinder deadbolt lock on an exterior door a safety hazard? 

• Why are rubber washing machine hoses a safety risk?

• What can I do to avoid kitchen accidents and injuries?

• Where are smoke alarms required to be located? 

• Are carbon monoxide alarms required to be installed in homes in Florida?

• Are old vinyl tile floors dangerous?  

• How can I use safety checks to limit my tenant liability for a rental house?

• Do you inspect for trip hazards around the home? 

• When should I replace my smoke alarms?

• Why is an anti-tip device now required behind the range? 

• What are the hazards to avoid when going into an attic? 

   Visit our SAFETY page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.