“In the last analysis sound judgment will prevail.”
Joseph Cannon (1836-1926, bio link)
What you need to know about carbon monoxide alarms
Many carbon monoxide alarms and sensors encounter cross-interfering gases that cause “false positives” or false alarms. The presence of hydrogen can generate false alarms for many carbon monoxide alarms or false/positive measurement readings on some combustion analyzer test instruments. This is important for consumers, emergency responders and the heating technician and others to know. The devices alarming or displaying CO are sold as carbon monoxide testing devices and the purchaser is assuming that’s why it is alarming or detecting; but they can be cross sensitive to hydrogen and other common gases like nitrogen.
Several times a year, emergency responders and others will respond to a CO alarm that is not coming from a source that can possibly produce CO.
One common example of mistaken diagnosis suggests that carbon monoxide can come from a charging car battery or a charging electric golf cart or fork lift. (If you see a news story like this, please know that it is wrong.) This is a hydrogen cross sensitivity issue. In this charging process, there often is an out-gassing of hydrogen and the uninformed technician or consumer is unaware of this phenomenon and then the “chase for the ghosts” of CO begins. This can be frustrating and has proven to be costly.
One remedy for this of course is to utilize CO testing devices with maximized technologies that reduce the cross sensitivity of these common gases to the sensor. It is very difficult to filter out all cross sensitive atmospheres but they can be significantly reduced to avoid many nuisance alarm situations. Consult with the manufacturer of the device before purchasing.
Please be advised that some CO alarm systems are designed to protect people when CO concentrations are under 30 PPM and more in line with fire department self protection and civilian evacuation levels. All carbon monoxide alarms are designed to save lives from deadly concentrations. Some are quite a bit more effective than others in protecting your overall health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety .
CO News links
Rohr: Carbon Monoxide Alarms Can Help Prevent More Tragedies
Patch.com
Nearly 89 percent of reported non-fire CO incidents take place at home.
Carbon monoxide detector saves Holliston family
MetroWest Daily News
Holliston fire officials say a Sparrow Lane family escaped from their house today with no health problems thanks to their carbon monoxide detector.
· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.
· Carbon Monoxide Survivor A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.
· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems.
National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia
Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.
The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
