Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Is your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning? The Santa Clara County Fire Department can provide you with information about carbon monoxide detectors, the risks of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and how it can be prevented. For more information, please contact the Public Education Office.

A downloadable/printable information brochure about carbon monoxide detectors is available on the Forms page.

Carbon Monoxide

The Silent Killer

Facts

• According to the Center fof Disease Control, nearly 500 unintentional deaths and more than 1700 suicides are related to carbon monoxide poisoning each year in the United States.
• An estimated 3000 to 5000 people are treated annually for carbon monoxide poisoning in hospital emergency rooms, but it is believed that many more are misdiagnosed or never seek medical care.
• CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths.

Symptoms

• Early exposure to CO mimics flu-like symptoms; headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion.

CO Sources

• CO is produced when fossil fuels burn incompletely as a result of insufficient oxygen. Fuels include natural gas, propane, kerosene, gasoline, coal, wood and charcoal.
• Sources of CO include the furnace, water heater, oven, range, clothes dryer, fireplace, space heater, charcoal grill, wood-burning stove or an idling vehicle in an attached garage.

CO Incidents

• Improper installation or poor maintenance of appliances.
• Inadequate ventilation of appliances, including fuel burning space heaters.
• Automobile exhaust
• In tightly sealed homes, negative pressure can force flue gases (such as those from wood stoves or water heaters) to reverse flow or backdraft into the living space. These incidents are the most difficult to detect.

Age, overall health, length of exposure and the concentration of the exposure (measured in parts per million) all determine the degree to which a person becomes affected by CO.

A source of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as a smoldering fire, faulty furnace, kitchen range or water heater can produce up to 1600 ppm. A charcoal grill 3200 ppm and tailpipe exhaust can easily produce in excess of 70,000 ppm. The table below shows typical symptoms based on concentration and time of exposure.

CO Exposure - parts per million (ppm)

CO detectors/alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The UL standard 2034 (1998 revision) has stricter requirements that the detector/alarm must meet before it can sound. As a result, the possibility of nuisance alarms is decreased.

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards for CO Alarms @ 85 decibels

Additional helpful links

Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov

Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov

Federal Emergency Managment Agency (FEMA): www.fema.gov

Maintenance Warehouse (a Home Depot Company): www.mwh.com

 

"Generator exhaust kills Shingletown couple" (Redding.com news item)

Doing a simple, ten minute check of a furnace can reduce the likelihood of serious danger from a malfunctioning system. Damaged or worn furnaces can emit lethal quantities of carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas which can cause sickness or even death.

Ten Point Furnace Safety Check:

• Look for cracked, rusted, misaligned or clogged vents.
• Inspect for soot in the burning area and vents - this can be an indication that the gas burner is not properly adjusted and requires servicing.
• Clean all dust and lint near the burning chamber. Please ensure that the thermostat is in the off position prior to cleaning.
• Check your flue assembly for alignment and rigidity; a small earthquake is all it takes to loosen the flue to allow the products of combustion into your home.
• Make sure the flame is blue - a yellow flame may be a sign that the burner could be out of adjustment.
• Securely fasten the door that covers the pilot light and burner area.
• Do not store or use combustible materials or liquids near any gas appliance.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter and make sure the blower door is properly secured.
• Check ducts for leaks and have them properly insulated.
• Look for cracked or frayed blower belts.

The use of open fires indoors to stay warm and save money can be deadly because burning wood and charcoal also releases carbon monoxide. Please take note of the following heating safety tips:

• Never use barbecues or charcoal inside your home, even in the fireplace.
• Never heat your home with a kerosene heater, gas range or other unvented appliances.
• Don't burn treated or painted wood in your fireplace.
• Be sure to keep combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs and furniture a safe distance from heating appliances. Remember to turn them off when you leave the room for an extended period.
• Damaged or poorly functioning natural gas equipment can not only waste money by leaking or burning gas inefficiently, but can also produce excess amounts of carbon monoxide if not adjusted properly.

For a free safety inspection, please call PG&&E at 1.800.743.5000. Some of the appliances that PG&E inspects include:

• Furnaces
• Water heaters
• Gas fireplaces
• Ovens
• Ranges
• Hot tubs / pool heaters
• Clothes dryers