What CO detector to buy?

[Gregory A. Liebig]

I'm looking at purchasing a carbon monoxide detector and there are quite a few out there to choose from. Some have "optional probes" and some do not. I'm hoping to get some feedback from fellow inspectors as to what works best for you in the field.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Bacharach Monoxor II

[Gregory A. Liebig]

I was looking at a FLUKE CO-220 or Extech and I'm willing to look at others... These opinions will help.

[Steven C. Waskewicz]

I have the Fluke CO-220, and absolutely love it...
Small, works like a champ, display lights up on its own when moved into a darkness area, and when I contacted Fluke by mail, asking about
"when should I get this calibrated?"
they came back with,
"once a year, send it to us for no charge, and we'll calibrate and return to you at our expense"
I knew I had made the right choice...

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Nothing in the SOP about CO. I don't use one.

[rnewman1]

I file that under inspecting heating and water heating equipment.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by rnewman1

I file that under inspecting heating and water heating equipment.

"I. The inspector shall inspect: A. The heating system and describe the energy source and heating method using normal operating controls."

I don't want someone asking me why I didn't use a laser level to determine that a foundation was out of kilter or infared camera to find mold behind a wall.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Nothing in the SOP about CO. I don't use one.

Me neither Joe.
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[Gregory A. Liebig]

I understand the SOP. That isn't the question. There can be a whole separate thread on the that topic to check or not to check for CO.

I was just curious for those inspectors that choose to check for CO what type of equipment they are using. I leave my level in the garage .

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

My understanding of the Fluke CO-220 is that it is for ambient temperature conditions.

The Monoxor can be used to check the flue and also Boilers.

A comparable Bacharach product (and one that I use) to the Fluke is the Bacharach SniFit 50.

http://www.bacharach-inc.com/PDF/Brochures/snifit_50.pdf#search='snifit%2050%20bacharach'

[Doug Edwards]

I have a CO detector, almost never use it but I also have a CO alarm that I wear on my equipment belt/harness. If it goes off while I am inspecting than I have reason to be concerned immediately, not only for myself but the occupants and my clients. Relatively inexpensive devices that will tell you about the CO content of the ambient air in the home, not just around the flues and appliances. And yes it has gone off before and proven to be a problem of CO being too high. We have to remember that it is not only gas appliances that can cause CO levels to be elevated. This way too if it ever becomes a question of exceeding the SOP, I was not taking CO readings, I was simply doing my job when my personal safety equipement went off.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by dedwards

I have a CO detector, almost never use it but I also have a CO alarm that I wear on my equipment belt/harness. If it goes off while I am inspecting than I have reason to be concerned immediately, not only for myself but the occupants and my clients. Relatively inexpensive devices that will tell you about the CO content of the ambient air in the home, not just around the flues and appliances. And yes it has gone off before and proven to be a problem of CO too high. We have to remember that it is not only gas appliances that can cause CO levels to be elevated. This way too if it ever becomes a question of exceeding the SOP, I was not taking CO readings, I was simply doing my job when my personal safety equipement went off.

Sounds good, Doug. What alarm do you use?

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

I am partial to Bacharach.

Their equipment was what I depended upon in Life / Death situations when working in a Petrochemical Industry (18 years) with the potential exposure to Lethal Concentrations of H2S on a regular basis.

I would not purchase a piece of equipment that was not Bacharach for Gas Analysis...

[Doug Edwards]

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I have a Scott/Bacharach Mini SA

www.scottbacharach.com

[Doug Edwards]

Here it is...had to get it from the truck.