Optimization of Carbon Monoxide Detectors in a Residential Layout and Analysis of Dispersion Characteristics

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2012

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Current building and life safety standards do not specify the optimal placement of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in residential structures. Currently, the standards advise to follow manufacturer's instructions, place one centrally on each floor and in each HVAC zone. With the use of computation fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLACS, simulations were run to observe and track CO concentrations, generated from a fire source, throughout a demonstrative box as well as a residential structure under different source and ambient conditions. A MATLAB script was developed to represent CO detector functionality. From this it was possible to evaluate detector placement throughout a structure. The time to detection criterion was analyzed as well as order of alarm in relation to other placements. Final recommendations are presented based upon the dispersion patterns observed.

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