Carbon Monixide - Home Inspector Referral Service - Home Inspector Inspectors Inspection Inspections

1. What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by
the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene,
propane, and natural gas. Products and equipment powered by internal combustion
engine-powered equipment such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power
washers also produce CO.

2. How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?

On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by
non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning
appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered
equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes
and other enclosed areas. In 2005 alone, CPSC staff is aware of at least 94
generator-related CO poisoning deaths. Forty-seven of these deaths were known to have
occurred during power outages due to severe weather, including Hurricane Katrina. Still
others die from CO produced by non-consumer products, such as cars left running in
attached garages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that several
thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms every year to be treated for CO
poisoning.

3. What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses,
people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to
moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:

* Headache
* Fatigue
* Shortness of breath
* Nausea
* Dizziness

High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including:

* Mental confusion
* Vomiting
* Loss of muscular coordination
* Loss of consciousness
* Ultimately death

Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For slowly
developing residential CO problems, occupants and/or physicians can mistake mild to
moderate CO poisoning symptoms for the flu, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.
For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures (e.g., associated with use of generators
in residential spaces), victims can rapidly become mentally confused, and can lose
muscle control without having first experienced milder symptoms; they will likely die if
not rescued.

4. How can I prevent CO poisoning?

* Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacturer's
instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by qualified
professionals. Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to
ensure proper operation. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for
blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.

* Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools.
Always refer to the owners manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing
fuel-burning equipment.

* Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool either
in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house, or other building. Even with open
doors and windows, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.

* Install a CO alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL 2034 or CSA 6.19
safety standards. A CO alarm can provide some added protection, but it is no substitute
for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO alarm in the
hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the alarm cannot be
covered up by furniture or draperies.

* Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or
tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides
instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.

* Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.

* Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.

* Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.

* Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are
sleeping.

* Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil. Doing so
blocks the combustion air flow through the appliance and can produce CO.

* During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked
by tarps or debris. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations
are complete.

5. What CO level is dangerous to my health?

The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well
as each individual's health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million
(ppm). Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO
levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an
increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms
become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO
concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are
possible.

6. What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning and do not have a CO
alarm, or my CO alarm is not going off?

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get outside to
fresh air immediately. Leave the home and call your fire department to report your
symptoms from a neighbor’s home. You could lose consciousness and die if you stay in
the home. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell
your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical
attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning. If the
doctor confirms CO poisoning, make sure a qualified service person checks the appliances
for proper operation before reusing them.

7. Are CO alarms reliable?

CO alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially
life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The safety standards for CO alarms have been
continually improved and currently marketed CO alarms are not as susceptible to
nuisance alarms as earlier models.

8. How should a consumer test a CO alarm to make sure it is working?

Consumers should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a test button tests
whether the circuitry is operating correctly, not the accuracy of the sensor. Alarms have
a recommended replacement age, which can be obtained from the product literature or
from the manufacturer.

9. How should I install a CO Alarm?

CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. CPSC
recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each
separate sleeping area of the home. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle
or high on the wall. Hard wired or plug-in CO alarms should have battery backup. Avoid
locations that are near heating vents or that can be covered by furniture or draperies.
CPSC does not recommend installing CO alarms in kitchens or above fuel-burning
appliances.

10. What should you do when the CO alarm sounds?

Never ignore an alarming CO alarm! It is warning you of a potentially deadly hazard.

If the alarm signal sounds do not try to find the source of the CO:

1. Immediately move outside to fresh air.
2. Call your emergency services, fire department, or 911.
3. After calling 911, do a head count to check that all persons are accounted for. DO NOT
reenter the premises until the emergency services responders have given you
permission. You could lose consciousness and die if you go in the home.
4. If the source of the CO is determined to be a malfunctioning appliance, DO NOT operate
that appliance until it has been properly serviced by trained personnel.

If authorities allow you to return to your home, and your alarm reactivates within a 24
hour period, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 and call a qualified appliance technician to
investigate for sources of CO from all fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect
for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection,
have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected
by the technician and consult the manufacturers’ instructions, or contact the
manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make
sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or
adjacent to the residence.

11. What is the role of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in
preventing CO poisoning?

CPSC staff worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help develop the safety
standard (UL 2034) for CO alarms. CPSC helps promote carbon monoxide safety by raising
awareness of CO hazards and the need for correct use and regular maintenance of
fuel-burning appliances. CPSC staff also works with stakeholders to develop voluntary
and mandatory standards for fuel-burning appliances and conducts independent research
into CO alarm performance under likely home-use conditions.

12. Do some cities require that CO alarms be installed?

Many states and local jurisdictions now require CO alarms be installed in residences.
Check with your local building code official to find out about the requirements in your
location.

13. Should CO alarms be used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles?

CO alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO alarms in motor homes and in
towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.