PausitoRoutine BuilderHow often should you test your CO alarm?
Test your CO alarm once a week with the test button. That’s what manufacturer Kidde asks in its manual.
You can’t smell carbon monoxide (CO), and an alarm that doesn’t work won’t warn you if a combustion appliance becomes faulty. Other brands may give a different interval, so also check the manual of your own alarm. Dust the alarm at the same time and check that it’s still in the right place, for example near your gas appliance. If the alarm sounds: open windows and doors, switch off the combustion appliance, get outside and call 112. Have an installer check the installation afterwards. Replace the alarm at the end of its service life (printed on the device or in the manual).
- Press the test button and check the alarm signal
- Check the status light (battery/operation)
- Carefully dust the device
- Check that the placement (e.g. near the gas appliance) is still correct
More about this task
Why does it matter?
You can’t smell carbon monoxide (CO), and an alarm that doesn’t work won’t warn you if a combustion appliance becomes faulty. Other brands may give a different interval, so also check the manual of your own alarm. Dust the alarm at the same time and check that it’s still in the right place, for example near your gas appliance. If the alarm sounds: open windows and doors, switch off the combustion appliance, get outside and call 112. Have an installer check the installation afterwards. Replace the alarm at the end of its service life (printed on the device or in the manual).
How do you go about it?
Press the test button and check the alarm signal. Check the status light (battery/operation). Carefully dust the device. Check that the placement (e.g. near the gas appliance) is still correct.
What source is this answer based on?
This answer is based on: Kidde, Test-Aankoop, Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest.
5 to 10 minutes.
- none
In Flanders, a CO alarm in an existing home is not generally required by law. Test-Aankoop does strongly recommend one with every combustion appliance, such as a wall-mounted gas boiler or gas fire.
Your routine is only saved once you confirm. No account, on this device.
Work safely and follow the manual. If in doubt, or if it involves gas, combustion or working at height, leave it to a qualified professional.
Source
- Kidde (fabrikant; handleiding gehost door brandpreventiewinkel.nl) — Kidde koolmonoxidemelder met lange levensduur, geïntegreerde batterij — gebruikershandleiding 10LLCO/10LLDCO
- Test-Aankoop — Waar een CO-melder plaatsen en is die verplicht?
- Kidde (fabrikant; handleiding gehost door Chubb Fire & Security NL) — Koolmonoxidemelder K10LLCO/K10LLDCO — gebruikershandleiding (NL)
- Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (be.brussels, brandpreventie en veiligheidsadvies) — Koolstofmonoxide (CO) — veilig huis
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