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Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Preventing the leading cause of accidental poisoning
by David C. Tokarz
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. This significantly
toxic gas results from incomplete combustion from any flame-fueled device,
including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters,
vehicles, and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may be sources of
carbon monoxide, but if they are vented properly the carbon monoxide will
escape to the outside. Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air. Open
flames, such as from ovens and ranges, are the most common source of carbon
monoxide; however, vehicles are the most common cause of carbon monoxide
poisoning.According to the Journal
of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the
leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America.
Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can
result in tissue damage and death. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning
cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of
breath on mild exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning
lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on
mild exertion. Domestic carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by early
detection with the use of household carbon monoxide detectors. These detectors
are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present
a hazard to a healthy adult.
How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?
Since CO is colorless, tasteless and odorless (unlike smoke from a fire),
detection in a home environment is impossible without a specialized warning
device. These detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of carbon
monoxide over time. CO detectors do not serve as smoke detectors and vice
versa. However, dual smoke/CO detectors are also sold. Carbon monoxide
detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the
alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery
power.
Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Proper placement of a carbon monoxide detector is important. If you are
installing only one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can
wake you if you are asleep. Additional detectors on every level and in every
bedroom of a home provide extra protection.
Because carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air it may be found with
warm, rising air. Therefore, it is
usually recommended that detectors be placed on a wall at least 5 feet above
the floor. Also, the detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the
detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Make
certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up. Installation locations vary by
manufacturer. Manufacturers' recommendations differ to a certain degree based
on research conducted with each one's specific detector. Therefore, make sure
to read the provided product manual for each detector before installing.
What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds?
Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are
experiencing symptoms. If the alarm goes off, turn off all fuel-burning appliances
or other sources of combustion at once. Immediately get fresh air into the
premises by opening doors and windows. Silence the alarm and ask all members of
the household whether anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon
monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, call
911. If no one has symptoms, continue to ventilate the building, identify and
remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before re-occupying the home, and have
appliances and chimneys checked by qualified professionals as soon as possible.
Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Other Information
Don't automatically assume that you don't need a carbon monoxide detector.
Also, don't assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just
because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended
to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into
account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the
average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The "test" feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not
the status of the detector. It's a good idea to have a qualified professional
check all of your gas appliances. During real estate transactions, a home
inspector usually tests gas appliances using a combustible gas detection
instrument.This is a device that senses
hydrocarbons, spillage of combustion products and raw gas leaks and can uncover
combustion products in the house air.
In Colorado, it's the law.
Colorado law, HR 09-1091, now requires carbon monoxide alarms in certain dwellings.
National Inspection Services is a home inspection company
focusing on the states of Colorado and Wyoming and serving the Colorado Front
Range, Northern Colorado, and Southeast Wyoming, including the following
cities: Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, Wellington, Ft. Collins, Boulder,
Longmont, Estes Park, Sterling, Fort Morgan, Limon, Colorado; Cheyenne and
Laramie, Wyoming.
