When is co produced

Children, pregnant women, babies, and individuals with a heart condition are those at most risk but CO poisoning can affect anyone. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as gas domestic or bottled , coal, oil, coke and wood. Gas stoves, fires, heating boilers, gas-powered water heaters, paraffin heaters, and solid fuel-powered water heaters are all potential sources of carbon monoxide.

The problem arises when such appliances are poorly maintained, not serviced and housed in poorly ventilated areas. When the waste products of combustion are not effectively removed, for example because of blocked flues and chimneys, then poisonous gas mixtures may re-enter the room. This problem is not just associated with older or poorer homes; it can also affect the occupants of newer homes with gas central heating.

Exhaust fumes from cars is another obvious source. When any fire burns, in an enclosed room, the amount of oxygen available gradually decreases. At the same time the amount of carbon dioxide increases. As the amounts of these two gases change, this increasingly causes the combustion process to alter from one of complete combustion to one of incomplete combustion.

This results in the release of increasing amounts of CO. This highlights an important issue. Even with perfectly designed and maintained heating appliances or any kind of combustion device , they too will eventually begin producing dangerous amounts of CO if used in confined and poorly ventilated areas.

A properly designed, adjusted, and maintained gas flame produces only small amounts of carbon monoxide, with parts per million ppm being the maximum allowed in flue products. Most burners produce much less, with between 0 and 50 ppm being typical.

During incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide concentrations may reach levels above 7, ppm. Even a small amount of spillage into occupied structures from appliances producing large amounts of CO is a health risk and can be a threat to life. Incomplete combustion occurs because of:. The following are recommended additional steps for servicing and inspecting gas heating appliances:. Visually inspect the burner and flame, looking for rust, soot, discoloration, and abnormal flame color or pattern.

Visually check the heating appliance for evidence of flame roll-out, downdrafting, and spillage. Check the vent system for proper design, integrity, and draft. Check adequacy of combustion air and make-up air.

Check flue passages in appliance for blockage or restriction— clean if necessary. Visually inspect heat exchanger for integrity. Check manifold gas pressures using a manometer and adjust if necessary. Check gas flow rate to appliance on metered appliances.

Measure CO in flue products using an electronic CO analyzer with digital display. Additional steps which help determine the cause of a heating appliance carbon monoxide problem include:. Verify proper combustion using a combustion analyzer with capability to measure carbon monoxide and oxygen content. Determine leakage areas and pressure differences in the structure and vent system using a blower door and micromanometer.

Check for proper gas orifice size. Continuously monitor carbon monoxide concentrations in the structure. Visual inspection of the burner will reveal obvious problems including rust, scale, or soot. Obvious flame pattern disruptions or improper color indicates a problem with combustion. Unfortunately, visual inspection is NOT sufficient to verify proper combustion. Conversely, burners producing little carbon monoxide can burn yellow. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating and highly poisonous gas at low concentrations.

Because it is not possible to reliably determine if a burner is producing excessive carbon monoxide visually, the use of an electronic carbon monoxide analyzer with digital display is recommended. 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. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence.

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. 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. CO alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The link you selected is for a destination outside of the Federal Government. CPSC does not control this external site or its privacy policy and cannot attest to the accuracy of the information it contains.

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What is carbon monoxide CO and how is it produced? How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO? What are the symptoms of CO poisoning? 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.

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 safety standard. 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.