Page 30 - Plumbheat Magazine

Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Protecting yourself from carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas created by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Colourless, odourless and tasteless, it is impossible for our senses to detect it. It is absorbed into the body simply through breathing. It is toxic, because it
binds strongly to red blood cells, so that they can
no longer carry oxygen around the body. Poisoning from carbon monoxide can happen over an extended period of time, or in a matter of minutes!
CARBON MONOXIDE is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, possibly because of poor ventilation, blockages, lack of oxygen, or damaged or poorly maintained appliances.
This is not only relevant to residential properties but commercial and municipal facilities as well.
Ideally, all properties that use
fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal and even
log burners) should have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. Indeed, domestic carbon monoxide alarms are easy to purchase, and their use is becoming more widespread. Nevertheless, you still
can’t be confident that the property you are entering has a properly maintained carbon monoxide alarm installed.
If you are attending a property to service or repair a boiler or other fuel- burning appliance, it stands to reason that there is a higher than average chance you will encounter elevated carbon monoxide levels. Your employer has a duty of care to ensure you are protected from this risk. One way to furnish this protection would be to provide you with a carbon monoxide detector. In fact, the Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning report by the All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group recommended that, “Gas emergency service personnel are equipped with either carbon monoxide alarms, carbon monoxide detection equipment or both.”
A popular style of carbon monoxide detector for engineers providing service and repairs is the portable, fixed-life variety. These detectors are small, typically measuring 85 by 50 by 28 millimetres and weighing just 76 grams. They are non-intrusive and clip securely onto clothing, so ensuring you can be protected at all times while not getting in the way of the day job.
With single-button operation, these detectors are extremely simple to use. Once activated, they typically offer a 2 year, maintenance-free operating life. However, to confirm that the detector is working correctly, it is very easy to run a self-test that checks that all the parts are in good functioning order.
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If you encounter high carbon monoxide levels, the detector goes into alarm which is accompanied by flashing lights and vibration, so you can’t miss
it, even if you are working in a noisy environment.
Early detection is vital when you’re exposed to carbon monoxide. It is
now mandatory for landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
in rented properties, but no such regulation applies to private residences. Even if a carbon monoxide alarm is fitted, there is no guarantee that the battery isn’t flat or that the alarm, itself, isn’t too old. To protect yourself from the risk of elevated carbon monoxide gas levels, a fixed life portable carbon monoxide detector offers a practical and affordable solution.
www.crowcon.com •