Carbon Monoxide

Inspecting your heating systems and testing your Carbon Monoxide detectors is the only way to protect you and your family from the dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Because Carbon Monoxide is odorless, tasteless, and colorless it is known as the Silent Killer. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that Carbon Monoxide poisoning claims nearly 500 lives, and causes more than 15,000 people to visit the hospital emergency departments annually.

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that has no odor, no color or taste so it is hard to detect. It is explosive and its flammability limits are far greater than other gases. Inhaled carbon monoxide is absorbed into the blood and combines with hemoglobin much more than oxygen and remains in the blood longer than oxygen so it reduces the oxygen carrying function of the blood. A person exposed to carbon monoxide may die from lack of oxygen.

A person exposed to low levels of Carbon Monoxide can also experience heath problems. According to Scientists at UCLA, and Research Scientists at other Leading Medical Institutions released Reports on their Medical Studies regarding the devastating effects of Chronic Low Level CO Poisoning. These studies indicate Low Level CO Poising can lead to Underweight Babies, Babies with smaller Head Sizes; as well as other Serious Birth Defects in the newborn. The FETUS can be severely and irreversibly affected by Very Low Levels of COHb during the 3rd trimester. Low Level CO Poisoning can also lead to permanent DAMAGE to the HEARING of the very young.

Having a Carbon Monoxide Detector that detects small amounts of Carbon Monoxide in your home is a necessity. However, don’t let buying a CO detector lull you into a false sense of security. Carbon Monoxide Detectors are NOT intended as a replacement for proper maintenance or proper use of your fuel-burning appliances.

Fuel burning equipment such as boilers, furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves need to be yearly inspected by a trained professional. The flues and chimneys must also be inspected to be sure they are connected properly, are in good condition, and not blocked.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning at moderate levels, can cause a person to have severe headaches, become dizzy, faint, nauseated or mentally confused. A person can die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels of Carbon Monoxide can cause mild headaches, shortness of breath, mild nausea, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Don’t ignore, symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. If you ignore the symptoms you could loose consciousness and die.

To help prevent Carbon Monoxide from entering your home: Don’t use a gas oven to heat your home even for a short amount of time. Don’t use gasoline powered equipment such as lawn mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, and equipment with a gas engines or generator in your garage or any enclosed space.

Don’t idle your car in the garage even if the garage door is open. Even if the garage door is open, fumes can build up very quickly and enter your home. Don’t use a charcoal grill indoors even in a fireplace.

Don’t sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon Monoxide Detectors have an average life of 5 years. To maintain your detectors, you should clean the detector by using a vacuum cleaner hose with a soft bristle brush and vacuum around the openings on the detector at least once every six months. The outside of the detector can be wiped with a damp cloth (Do not use Strong Cleansers or excessive amount of water).

Different types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Unfortunately, most of the Carbon Monoxide detectors sold in retail stores are working in the UL-2034 standard and will “NOT ALARM or they “Ignore” the following levels.

  • 30 PPM until 30 days

  • 70 PPM until 60 Minutes

  • 150 PPM until 10 Minutes

  • 400 PPM until 4 Minutes

How soon do you want to know that you have a Carbon Monoxide problem in your home? Never,… after 30 days, ….After 8 Hours, ….After 4 Hours, …. After 1 Hour, ….or … IMMEDIATELY?

Fortunately, there is a Carbon Monoxide Monitor that will detect low levels of Carbon Monoxide and sound an alarm at only 10 PPM of Carbon Monoxide. These alarms can help protect you and your family. This Monitor also features a very extensive “Fail Safe” circuit design, which monitors the entire system, including Sensor Failure. Any Failure in the system will result in a “ERR” Warning appearing in the monitors Display, a Flash on the LED, and a Single Chirp of the Sunder, once in a minute.

Testing Your Existing Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Did you know when you push the “Test Button” on many CO alarms that are sold in retail stores you are ONLY verifying the alarm still has battery or electric power and a working noise maker. Your alarm sensor may be dead, or too far out of calibration to properly protect you and your family. The only way to know for sure is to expose the sensor in your CO alarm to a known PPM of Certified CO “Test” gas.

You should test your existing Carbon Monoxide Detectors where you can actually test the audible warning levels in real time so you can hear and see for yourself that the detector is working.

If you Don't Test, you don't know

Call Wieronski Plumbing and Heating Inc. to Schedule an appointment to have your heating equipment tested for Carbon Monoxide and/or have your existing Carbon Monoxide Detectors tested.