“We are linked by blood, and blood is memory without language.”
Joyce Carol Oates (1938, bio link)
NOTE: Our week long classroom begins this morning. Our group is made up of boiler engineering instructors. My first question to them will be, “Do you measure for carbon monoxide when you enter a boiler room or a mechanical room?” I will ask all of you reading this the same question, if you work on boilers or are a heating technician.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, a poison that can occur wherever a fossil fuel combustion action is occurring. The fuels are generally called hydrocarbon fuels in that they contain carbon molecules (referenced as the chemical symbol C) and hydrogen molecules (referenced by the chemical symbol H).
Hydrocarbon fuels (CH) require specific amounts of oxygen (chemical symbol O) and heat for the action of combustion to occur. The fuels must be under a controlled pressure that travel through orifices or nozzles of proper size. The fuel must be mixed with oxygen in proper amounts or the fuel will not burn cleanly or efficiently.
Measuring the air you work in, measuring and monitoring fuel pressure and observing the combustion gas content with an analyzer through the entire ramp up and fire off of the boiler into its’ steady state are the first steps taken in determining the combustion efficiency of the system. If you don’t test and only look and listen, you really don’t know. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links were difficult to download this morning and I had to get to class, sorry
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· 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; don't leave anyone behind.
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 Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
