Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Overview
CO Detectors are very similar in appearance to smoke detectors. They are available as both plug in and battery operated units. The better units have a digital display and memory for peak CO detection level.
CO Detectors should be installed in all homes with older fuel-fired furnaces, water heaters and space heaters.
Follow all manufacturer’s installation instructions.
CO Detectors are set to go off between 9 and 35 ppm (parts per million). Levels over 100 ppm in a confined space over a period of time can be lethal.
More Information
CO Detectors are available from every hardware, home centers and most super stores. There are also many on-line distributors.
When CO Detectors first came out, they were well over $100 each for basic units that had a LOT of problems. Today, they are less than $75 for better units.
See Carbon Monoxide
CO Detector Alert Plan
The following procedures were extracted from a plan that has been suggested for use by volunteer fire departments:
Regardless of the response, the following procedure is established.
The first arriving officer or engine company shall establish scene control per incident command procedure.
- Verification shall be made if the alarm is coming from a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.
- If the alarm is coming from a smoke detector:
- investigate the cause of the alarm;
- Take the necessary action to mitigate the situation.
- If the alarm is coming from a carbon monoxide detector:
- Determine if any persons at the scene are exhibiting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning; if so, immediately evacuate and ventilate the premises;
- Request the necessary EMS response;
- Regin the investigation procedure.
- If no one exhibits any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, it will not be necessary to evacuate or ventilate the premises unless a level of over 9 ppm (over the zero baseline) is detected by the CO metering device.
- The incident commander shall request that the gas company respond to the scene if:
- A CO level of over 9 ppm (over the zero baseline) is detected by the metering device,
- Or someone is showing signs of being ill due to carbon monoxide,
- Or the incident commander feels a response by the gas company is needed.
- Gather information from the homeowner/occupant(s)
- About what they were doing and what if any combustion appliances were being used.
- How long has the detector been alarming?
- Has the dwelling been ventilated? If so, how long?
- Was a car running in the attached garage?
- Where is the detector located?
- Carbon Monoxide Investigations (Procedure)
- Zero the meter in fresh air (determine zero baseline) and comply with all start up procedures as recommended by the manufacturer of the metering equipment.
- Initiate a survey of the premises to determine if there are any amounts above 9 ppm of carbon monoxide present.
- All personnel shall make complete use of the SCBA in any atmosphere in excess of 35 ppm of CO.
- Readings of 9 ppm or less:
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that the Department’s CO detection equipment DID NOT detect an elevated level of CO at this time.
- Recommend the owner/occupant(s) check their CO detector per the manufacturers recommendations.
- Attempt to reset the detector.
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that if the detector activates again to call 9-1-1.
- Readings of more than 9 ppm but less than 100 ppm:
- Any reading above 9 ppm shall be considered an above normal reading.
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that the Department’s CO detection equipment DID detect a potentially dangerous level of CO.
- Recommend that all persons leave the premises and begin ventilation.
- DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS TO POTENTIALLY MALFUNCTIONING EQUIPMENT
- Once the premises have been reduced to a safe level of CO the premises may be occupied- at the discretion of the owner/occupant(s).
- An attempt shall be made to reset the detector.
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that if the detector activates again to call 9-1-1.
- The owner/occupant(s) shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond by the Fire Department.
- Readings of 100 ppm or greater:
- Any reading of 100 ppm or greater shall be considered a potentially lethal reading.
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that the Department’s CO detection equipment DID detect a potentially lethal level of CO.
- Order all persons to leave the premises and begin ventilation.
- DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS TO POTENTIALLY MALFUNCTIONING EQUIPMENT
- Once the premises have been reduced to a safe level of CO the premises may be occupied- at the discretion of the owner/occupant(s).
- An attempt shall be made to reset the detector.
- Inform the owner/occupant(s) that if the detector activates again to call 9-1-1.
- The owner/occupant(s) shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond by the Fire Department.
Source of suggested procedure: the Hamel Volunteer Fire Department at http://www.freenet.msp.mn.us/people/guestb/sop/carbonmo.html