Carbon monoxide alarm fitting in Exeter
Professional carbon monoxide alarm fitting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Carbon monoxide alarms fitted in the correct positions for maximum safety. Gas boilers, wood burners, oil heaters - protect your family from this silent killer.
Invisible, Odourless, Deadly
Carbon monoxide kills around 50 people a year in the UK and hospitalizes hundreds more. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it - but a £20 alarm can save your life. Getting it fitted in the right place makes all the difference.
💡 Pro tip: CO doesn't just come from gas boilers. Wood burners, oil heaters, gas fires, even BBQs brought indoors can produce it. Any fuel-burning appliance is a potential risk.
Why Position Matters
CO alarms only work if they're in the right place:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Near appliance (1-3m away) | Other end of house from boiler |
| On a wall at head height | On ceiling (not necessary) |
| Away from windows and vents | Right by a door (drafts affect it) |
| One in each room with appliance | One alarm for whole house |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Identify best location near each appliance |
| Fit | Mount securely (battery) or wire in (mains-powered) |
| Test | Test alarm works before leaving |
📦 You're Left With
- Alarm fitted in optimal position
- Working and tested
- Instructions on testing and maintenance
- Peace of mind
Pricing Guide
| Number of Alarms | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single alarm (battery) | 15 mins | £60 |
| 2-3 alarms | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| 4+ alarms (whole house) | 1 hr | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Battery alarms are quick - multiple in one visit is efficient.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Gas boiler - legal requirement for landlords, sensible for everyone
✅ Wood burner - especially in older Exeter houses with chimneys
✅ Rental property - meet your legal obligations
✅ Peace of mind - protect your family properly
Why Choose Us for Carbon monoxide alarm fitting in Exeter?
Fitted in the correct position
Battery or mains-powered alarms
Multiple alarms done efficiently
Meets current safety guidance
What to Expect
Step 1: Position Check
I'll look at where your fuel-burning appliances are and work out the best position for each alarm (usually 1-3 meters away on a wall).
Step 2: Mount Alarm
Battery alarms get screwed to the wall (quick and simple). Mains alarms might need wiring work (separate quote if it's complex).
Step 3: Test & Explain
Test the alarm works, show you the test button, and explain how to maintain it. Done.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to fit your own carbon monoxide alarm? Here's how to do it safely:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and appropriate bit for your wall
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
- Spirit level (not essential but looks neater)
- Wall detector if drilling near appliances
📐 Choosing the position
- 1-3 meters from any fuel-burning appliance
- Head height (roughly) on a wall
- Away from windows, doors, or extractor fans (drafts)
- NOT in a cupboard or behind furniture
- NOT directly above appliance (heat affects it)
🔨 Installing the alarm
- Hold alarm against wall where you want it
- Mark screw positions through mounting holes
- Check for cables/pipes with detector
- Drill pilot holes
- Insert wall plugs if needed
- Screw mounting bracket to wall
- Insert batteries (if battery alarm)
- Clip alarm onto bracket
- Test with test button - should beep loudly
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Fitting too far from appliance (might not detect CO in time)
- Fitting on ceiling (not necessary for CO unlike smoke alarms)
- Right next to window or door (drafts reduce effectiveness)
- Forgetting to test after installation
- Not reading manufacturer's instructions (they vary!)
💡 Pro trick: If you've got multiple appliances (boiler plus wood burner, for example), you need an alarm in each room where there's an appliance. CO doesn't travel well through walls.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Landlords: You're legally required to have a CO alarm in any room with a fuel-burning appliance (England, since Oct 2015). Fines for non-compliance. I can fit all your properties efficiently - just let me know how many you need doing.
Multiple rooms? Most houses need 2-3 CO alarms (one by boiler, one by wood burner or gas fire). Doing them all in one visit is much more efficient than separate trips.
What about smoke alarms? Different thing - smoke alarms go on ceilings, CO alarms on walls. You need both for proper protection. I can fit smoke alarms too if needed.
Testing is critical. A CO alarm that doesn't work is worse than no alarm (false sense of security). Test weekly with the button, replace batteries yearly, replace the whole unit after 5-7 years max.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should carbon monoxide alarms be fitted?
In any room with a fuel-burning appliance - gas boiler, wood burner, gas fire, oil boiler. Height doesn't matter as much as people think (CO mixes with air), but I fit them at head height on a wall about 1-3 meters from the appliance. Never in a cupboard or too close to windows/doors.
Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm by law?
If you're a landlord, yes - legally required in any room with a fuel-burning appliance (since Oct 2015). Homeowners aren't legally required to have them, but they're cheap insurance against a genuinely deadly risk. I'd strongly recommend them.
Battery or mains-powered CO alarms?
Battery alarms are easier to fit (no wiring needed). Mains-powered with battery backup are more reliable long-term. I can fit either - depends what you've bought and whether you want the extra reassurance of mains power.
Do I need to provide the alarm?
Yes - buy the alarm first (look for British Standard BS EN 50291), then I'll fit it in the right position. They're not expensive - around £15-30 for a good one. Cheap insurance for peace of mind.
How do I know if it's working?
Test it once a week with the test button - takes 2 seconds. Replace batteries when it beeps (usually yearly). Replace the whole unit after 5-7 years (they have a limited lifespan even if they seem fine).
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