Carbon monoxide alarm position

Ceiling mounted at least 300 mm from any wall and 1–3 m horizontally from the appliance, or wall mounted above the height of any door or window and at least 150 mm from the ceiling

Room containing a fixed combustion appliance

Where a carbon monoxide alarm must be sited in a room containing a combustion appliance.

Basis in regulation

Part J
Approved Document J
Read the source

How to check it on site

Confirm the alarm position against the appliance location at handover, and check it has not been moved to suit decoration.

Common failure

Alarm fixed directly above the appliance or tucked into a corner where air does not circulate.

Last updated 23 August 2026. This is our editorial summary of publicly available regulation, not building control approval or a warranty determination.

Related dimensions at this stage

Minimum

Hearth Provision and Floor Finishes

225 mm

A hearth may not be necessary if an appliance's flame or incandescent material is positioned at least 225mm above the floor

Minimum

Soundproofing Measures for Soil Pipes

25 mm

Sound insulation for soil pipes involves either encasing them in boxing made from a material with a minimum mass of 15kg/m², or wrapping them with at least 25mm of unfaced mineral wool, typically 10kg/m³ density

Minimum

Electrical Accessory Clearance from Water Diagrams

300 mm

Diagrams illustrating the required 300mm minimum horizontal clearance for electrical accessories from water sources, such as sinks and wash basins, are commonly used in guidance documents

exact

Conditions for Pipe Freezing Calculations

6 °C

Calculations for pipe insulation to prevent freezing are based on specific assumed conditions, typically including an external air temperature of -6°C and an internal water temperature of +7°C

Minimum

Water seal depth at appliance traps

75 mm for baths, basins, sinks and showers on a branch; 50 mm for a WC trap

Appliance trap on a branch discharge pipe

Minimum

Stair Handrail Height and Clearance

600 mm

A handrail is mandatory for flights of stairs where the rise exceeds 600mm