Gas leak detector
As with a smoke detector, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia Regulation No. 238 "Fire Safety Regulations" stipulates that a gas leak detector must be installed in rooms with gas installations with a total heat capacity of more than 50 kW.
- The technical condition of a detector must be checked regularly so that it works reliably and correctly. To do this, press the test button once a month and wait for an audible signal to confirm the operating status of the device. The sensor should be cleaned regularly with a vacuum cleaner or rag, the batteries should also be checked regularly.
Carbon monoxide detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are also recommended for natural gas users. The sensor must be installed in all living quarters where a gas installation (e.g., a water heater connected to the chimney) is located. The rescue service also recommends installing the sensors in places where equipment that perform other combustion processes, such as a wood-burning stove or fireplace, are located. A carbon monoxide sensor signals when the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is approaching a level that is hazardous to human health. It is impossible to determine the amount of carbon monoxide without a sensor because it is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. The first signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea. A person may experience these symptoms while being awake, but they may be completely imperceptible while sleeping.
- A carbon monoxide detector should be installed where the gas installation is connected to the chimney, e.g., in the kitchen or bathroom where a water heater is used. One sensor is for one room only, as the device measures the level of carbon monoxide next to the sensor. In multi-storey residential buildings, it is recommended to install a detector on each floor as well as in each bedroom.
- If a sensor is installed in a room without a heater, it must be close to the breathing radius of a human. For example, in a living room, a sensor should be placed at the height of a person's face sitting, e.g., on a sofa or chair. In bedrooms, a carbon monoxide sensor should be as close to the bed as possible.
- Unlike a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide sensor must be installed on the wall of the room at a height of 0.5 to 1.5 meters from the floor and up to 3 meters from the carbon monoxide source. A sensor must not be placed near ventilation systems. If a gas-fired boiler is in the bathroom, make sure that the carbon monoxide sensor is suitable for installation in wet areas.