CO alarm standards – know when you are protected
“Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.”
Euripides (384–322 B.C.E., bio link)
Where are the children? They are just about everywhere.
The recent school evacuation in Atlanta due to very high levels of carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning heating system has instigated numerous investigations regarding laws in states requiring schools to have carbon monoxide alarms. School officials that hadn’t given it a thought, are now thinking. Elected officials are hearing the discussion. Only Maryland & Connecticut requires CO alarms in schools, though Idaho will begin to next year.
All schools that have combustion gas threats should have carbon monoxide alarms. So should the child’s home; they may be being poisoned slowly at home with everyone else and not know it. Maybe school has their best indoor air for the day and they come to school a little bit ill and feel good before the end of the day, or just the reverse. And what about that daycare or their party restaurant? Aren’t children just about everywhere?
There is also a rush to run out and buy a $20.00 or $40.00 carbon monoxide alarm and put them in the schools. These are not sufficient to protect the school staff to OSHA requirements of no more than 50 PPM of CO in a time weighted average (TWA) in an 8 hour period of time. They will not alert the school to lower levels that can cause disruptive poor health symptoms that might easily be misdiagnosed as a flu or food poisoning event. They will not alert those at home or at work either to levels that could make you sick but go on without alarm. They are high level alarms and are designed to alert people when more dangerous and deadly levels are present. Some people require better protection due to their health conditions.
If your child is worth $40.00 and the school provides protection from carbon monoxide with CO alarms that are manufactured to resist alarming for long enough periods of time at high levels that headache, tiredness, weakness become just a part of the school day, same as the work world, then know you get what you pay for. Remember, these inexpensive alarms are manufactured that way for the U.S. & Canada so they may be listed by U.L & C.S.A. Read the packaging and instructions thoroughly.
The heating equipment in all schools, like all combustion based heating equipment everywhere, requires proper installation, performance and maintenance; don’t cut corners, hire or employ certified, and continually educated technicians. This all costs money; spend it or the losses may compound from wasted energy to loss of property or life. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
3 in Spokane treated for carbon monoxide poisoning
Atlanta Journal Constitution
A technician and two homeowners were taken to a Spokane hospital after suffering apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters responded Tuesday afternoon to a home in the Spokane suburb of Mead where a technician working on a gas-fired water ...
Carbon Monoxide Leak Forces Evacuations
CBS Local
GREENFIELD (KDKA) – A business complex in Greenfield was evacuated after medium levels of carbon monoxide were detected. The business complex at 4070 Beechwood Blvd houses four businesses. About 40 people from a pediatric clinic, laundromat, ...
Idaho adding schools to CO alarm requirement
Idaho buildings to see new carbon monoxide codes
LocalNews8.com
While Connecticut and Maryland are the only two states who require schools to have a carbon monoxide detector installed, that is about to change. Idaho will soon be added to that list. According to the International Building Safety laws, the buildings ...
Fire drills, but lacking carbon monoxide education
Carbon monoxide detectors not required in schools
WCSH-TV
BREWER, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Fire drills are a common occurrence for kids in schools, but what about Carbon Monoxide drills? Well those aren't as common because only two states in the entire U.S. even require schools to install the safety device that ...
New WA carbon monoxide alarm requirement on Jan. 1
Bellingham Herald
SEATTLE — A new requirement for carbon monoxide detectors in Washington homes takes effect on Jan. 1. State law has required the alarms in new construction beginning in 2011. The 2013 law requires the detectors in all existing residences, including ...
The lowest U.L. 2034 carbon monoxide alarm test point is:
70 PPM to 149 PPM – resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours
Please read the alarm information on the package and in the instructions.
Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce
SAINT PAUL, MN – Each year about 50,000 people visit emergency rooms in the United States for CO poisoning, and more than 500 die each year from this silent, odorless, colorless gas. As part of Winter Hazard Awareness Week (November 5-9), the Minnesota Department of Commerce warns Minnesotans of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and to take steps to avoid this “silent killer.”
Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning
Carbonmonoxidekills.com
Carbon Monoxide Information Website ... Carbon Monoxide Useful Links · Contact ... Get the Top ten carbon monoxide safety tips sent to your inbox:
Carbon monoxide toxicity
Emergency Medicine Ireland - By Andy Neill
Aviators – note:
(PDF) Federal Aviation Administration warning; Carbon Monoxide: a Deadly Menace
Carbon Dioxide earth atmospheric update levels;
Current Data for Atmospheric CO2
· Heart rescue video using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
· 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.
American Red Cross - disaster relief
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 CO-Experts Model 2014 Brochure
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
