Carbon Monoxide News October 31, 2013 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time through our archives for previous CO News links.

“Larger voices calling”
Crosby, Stills & Nash - "Southern Cross" - music link

Combustion analyzers and flashlights
A furnace technician finds a furnace with a crack in the heat exchanger at a customer’s residence. A new furnace is installed. It is connected electrically, to the existing gas line & vent and duct work. It reacts to the thermostat and shuts down. The customer is satisfied and gets a warranty. This new furnace was installed without verifying the manufacturer given criteria for installation, just like the previous one, the one that cracked. “And this,” someone said, “this is status quo.”

Cracks in heat exchangers are certainly something to contend with, but those older, stamped metal, Category I heat exchangers have small, almost fist sized holes in them at their outlets, before the draft hood; these openings are actually of a greater concern than a crack. The same is true with Category I water heaters. These also come with a hole directly connected to the atmosphere from the fire box via the top of the flue tube, under the draft hood. These become even more of a concern as buildings get tightened up for winter and pressure differences within building zones increase.

Why are these manufactured holes more of a concern than a crack, they came as part of the manufactured structure of the equipment? Building pressure is the competing force issue. Draft pressure versus building pressure – which one is greater? You must measure to find the difference. Draft measurement is a component of combustion analysis.

The old-schooler’s taught us to light matches or use the smoke from a candle or cigarette to verify “draft” of a Category I appliance. That’s not a measurement. That is smoke entering a draft hood with dilution air or, the indication of backflow from the chimney or spillage of combustion gasses unable to reach the vent or chimney. It is merely an indication, not a measurement. It is still science, just not measurement.

Cracks in heat exchangers are one of the least causes of CO poisoning in homes using gas furnaces, but a condition that is worth looking for because of the replacement factor. Technicians are quick to grab a flashlight to look for cracks but finish their careers without ever conducting combustion analysis on a system. Cracks are important, there is no doubt. But let’s start up and service all new equipment by installing and performance test them to all manufacturer specifications, specifically fuel pressure and combustion air, followed by combustion performance verification. Yes, you still need a flashlight on the job.

The tools of the professional combustion furnace tradesman include a duel pressure manometer, duel temperature thermometer, and a combustion gas analyzer. (These as you know, can all come packaged in one instrument.) The analyzer can also suggest cracks in heat exchangers through the detectable changes of oxygen and/or CO in flue gas measurement during service performance testing. The technician also uses a combustible gas leak detector and an instrument that measures carbon monoxide in their customers air while they are providing service.

Technicians, start your analyzers. Furnace heat exchangers would crack less if the equipment was set up properly to begin with and verified via performance testing, simple stuff for the professional. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

 

CO and Air Quality News Links

Carbon-monoxide leak causes WWNY-TV 7 studio to be evacuated
WatertownDailyTimes.com
The building that houses WWNY-TV 7 studios and the Victims Assistance Center was evacuated early Wednesday after a carbon-monoxide leak sent an ... Added news link to original CO News links postings for 10/31/13.

Carbon monoxide in Lake City building sends 7 to hospital, 2 critical
The Seattle Times

Police gather outside an evacuated apartment building in the 13700 block of 35th Avenue Northeast near Lake City responding to a call about carbon monoxide…

Two Dead After Apparent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Patch.com
Firefighters detected high levels of carbon monoxide in the home and found a ... believe the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning because they were ...

Officials remind community to check carbon monoxide detectors
Kota
Those home appliances can give off carbon monoxide -- an odorless and ... If you think that you're exposed to carbon monoxide, Bowen says to call 911…

Free carbon monoxide alarms distributed in memory of young ...
Sonoran News
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Event where 100 free CO alarms will be distributed to the public to protect them from the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide ...

Residents of Fargo apartment building escape harm after furnace ...
In-Forum
FARGO – Residents of a Fargo apartment building escaped harm early Wednesday after a faulty furnace spread carbon monoxide through the building…

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? Take control inside your homes.

-Link to: → CO alarm standards –  
The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 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 packageand in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

These following links may be of some use to you:
- The World Clock - Time Zones
- Google Maps-
- Earthquake Map

World population counter

- American Red Cross
- Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution
- Heart Rescue using an (AED)

- Current Data for Atmospheric CO2
- Federal Aviation Administration CO warning
- Carbon monoxide toxicity-Emergency Medicine Ireland
- Carbon Monoxide Survivor- Views from those who have been poisoned.
- Carbon Monoxide detection- National Fire Protection Association

Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning Carbonmonoxidekills.com

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-seven 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

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

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