How can I see I have a carbon monoxide problem?
If you see stains, soot or coloration on or near gas boilers, fires and water heaters this could indicate that you have a potential problem. You can also check pilot lights and other gas flames that normally burn blue through an inspection chamber if fitted. You should call in a trained engineer to maintain your heating system if you notice that the pilot light starts to burn with a yellow light.
Carbon Monoxide is one of the most poisonous gases and it is undetectable with no smell or taste. The gas is a by product of combustion with insufficient oxygen supply such as can happen in a badly ventilated boiler. The lack of oxygen means that Carbon Monoxide is produced rather than the less dangerous Carbon Dioxide. Following the adoption of regular boiler servicing and regulations governing ventilation levels deaths from Carbon Monoxide have been held at 30 per annum although there are many more injuries from poisoning.
How do I protect my family from Carbon Monoxide and potential poisoning?
The underlying cause of carbon monoxide production is lack of ventilation to a gas flame. Checking the components of the exhaust gases should be a standard part of a gas boiler and appliance maintenance visit from a trained engineer and this will give early warning of any ventilation issues. To ensure that you get expert appliance service you should check that the engineer is CORGI-registered. You can now buy electronic, battery powered, carbon monoxide detectors which sound an alarm on detection of high levels of the gas. Air vents maintain the required air flow to you gas appliances and it is important that these are kept free of any obstructions as this could result in a reduced flow of air. Also regularly inspect for plants which might be growing near a vent outside as over the course of a year they can also block them. Chimney ventilation can become obstructed in the summer by a birds nest and you may not notice id a fire is not used in the summer so a visual inspection should be incorporated in your home maintenance plans. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors make different sounds. You should ensure that your family are aware of the differences so that they take the correct action when one of your detectors is triggered.
What will Carbon Monoxide Poisoning result in?
Act quickly and be very cautious if there are any signs of carbon monoxide inhalation in your family. There are no second chances with poisoning from this gas so do not delay if you suspect anything. Quick action can save your and your family’s lives. Anyone can fall victim to CO poisoning, even the fit and healthy. It is common for pets to be harmed in the same way as humans.
Are there any warning signs of the presence of carbon monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide poisoning exhibits symptoms which can appear like other illnesses, for example: -
- frequent headaches
- queasiness
- fatigue
- urge to vomit
If you notice symptoms such as these when you have gas appliances in the home, stop using the appliance without delay, increase ventilation to the rooms, take any inhabitants outside and ensure that your gas appliances are inspected by a CORGI registered gas engineer.
What are the features of a good detector?
Ensure that the detector you get is certified to British Standards and has a loud alarm. Look for a very loud alarm and 5 year battery life as minimum requirements in a CO detector. Battery powered models with electronic detection are better than the paper based models which use chemical reactions to show a spot on a cardboard detector that changes colour when carbon monoxide levels have increased. Chemical detectors have 6 month lifetimes and are not cost effective in the long run as they have to be replaced often. Audible alarms are a significant advantage if CO levels rise at night as the noise will wake you and your family. In addition to do it yourself stores carrying these detectors you may be able to purchase an approved model from your utility company.
Do the stores stock carbon monoxide detectors?
CO detectors are important household aids in detecting carbon monoxide and giving early warning of potential problems. You know have a choice of detector types and most of these are available in the shops or online. CO detectors track the accumulation of carbon monoxide over time and are triggered at a predetermined level. CO detectors are not yet as reliable as the smoke detectors in your home but the technology is becoming more reliable and they are an important early warning mechanism. While Carbon monoxide detectors are a valuable addition to your home protection measures they are not a substitute for proper appliance maintenance and servicing.
The benefits of installing a Carbon Monoxide detector
The installation of CO detectors give a warning to people in a building of unhealthy or dangerous levels of CO before the symptoms of CO poisoning occur. Carbon monoxide alarms will sound the alarm before the concentrations of gas have reached the levels where an adult would be effected. Carbon monoxide detectors have installation requirements separate from those of smoke detectors and do not need to be installed at the top of a wall or on the ceiling. Carbon Monoxide detectors should be installed where the alarm can be heard from your bedroom, you need to be woken quickly should the alarm be triggered.
CO Detectors must be tested regularly
Your safety is dependent upon your detector so regularly check it is working correctly. CO detectors should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Test CO alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the service instructions if found to be defective. You should note that the ‘test’ button on a co detector will test the alarm rather than confirm that the detector is detecting carbon monoxide. You should note when the detector needs to be replaced, some have an operating life of only 48 months. There are detectors on sale which can operate for 60 months In addition to battery models there are some that are mains powered and have battery backup to cover power failures. The choice is yours. Some detectors incorporate smoke detection and also carbon monoxide gas detection. They will have their own installation instructions which you should follow closely.
