Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide gas.

See Table 1 for a list of some of the items that produce CO.

It kills thousands of people each year, and injures many more. Since you cannot see, taste, or smell CO, a Carbon Monoxide detector is the only way to alert you to increasingly dangerous levels of CO before tragedy strikes.

Carbon Monoxide, like Oxygen, enters the body through the lungs during the normal breathing process. However, CO competes with oxygen. CO combines with red blood cells approximately 300 times easier than oxygen does. Therefore, it blocks the oxygen from your body over a period of time and if concentrations get high enough, CO can kill you in minutes. It takes approximately 5 hours for the levels of CO attached to the Blood cells to be reduced to 50%.

The symptoms vary widely based upon exposure levels, duration and the general health and age of the individual. You will notice one recurring theme that is most significant in recognizing Carbon Monoxide poisoning. That is the presence of a headache, dizziness and nausea. This flu like symptom is often mistaken for a real case of the flue and can result in a delayed or misdiagnosed treatment. Table 2 will show some of the breakdowns for CO symptoms.

Common CO producing devices.

Automobiles

Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

Gas Stoves

Gas Dryers

Gas Water Heaters

Table 1

Common CO producing devices.
Automobiles
Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)
Fireplaces and Woodstoves
Gas Stoves
Gas Dryers
Gas Water Heaters

Here is a breakdown of CO Parts per Million (PPM) and their effect upon a typical adult male.

PPM CO Elapse Time Symptoms

35 PPM 8 hours The maximum allowed exposure for a continuous exposure in any 8-hour period.

200 PPM 2-3 hours Mild headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness.

400 PPM 1-2 hours Serious headache - other symptoms intensify. Life threatening after 3 hours.

800 PPM 45 minutes Dizziness, nausea and convulsions. Unconscious within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.

1600 PPM 20 minutes Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 1 hour.

3200 PPM 5-10 minutes Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 1 hour.

6400 PPM 1-2 minutes Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 25-30 minutes.

12,800 PPM 1-3 minutes Death.

PPM CO	Elapse Time	Symptoms
35 PPM	8 hours	The maximum allowed exposure for a continuous exposure in any 8-hour period.
200 PPM	2-3 hours	Mild headache, fatigue, nausea and dizziness.
400 PPM	1-2 hours	Serious headache - other symptoms intensify. Life threatening after 3 hours.
800 PPM	45 minutes	Dizziness, nausea and convulsions. Unconscious within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.
1600 PPM	20 minutes	Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 1 hour.
3200 PPM	5-10 minutes	Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 1 hour.
6400 PPM	1-2 minutes	Headache, dizziness and nausea. Death within 25-30 minutes.
12,800 PPM	1-3 minutes	Death.

Table 2

How CO detectors work:

On today's market there are many different types and brands of Carbon Monoxide detectors. However, they can generally be characterized by whether they operate on household current or batteries. Detectors using household current typically use some type of solid-state sensor, which purges itself and resamples for CO. Detectors powered by batteries typically use a passive sensor that reacts to the prolonged exposure to Carbon Monoxide gas. Table 3 describes some of the Advantages/Disadvantages of both types of detectors.

Table 3

Table 4 will show some of the causes and preventive actions.

Characteristic Reset Time Reaction Time / Exposure Level Display Maintenance Ease of Installation Cost

Household Current Will reset immediately once CO problem is corrected. Gives continuous display of CO levels updated every few minutes. No maintenance required during life of product (5-10 years). Detector sensor becomes more sensitive with age. More difficult - requires outlet near detector or "hard wiring". $30 - $50

Battery Operated Rest time depends on exposure concentration and duration. May require removal of sensor pack. A silence button, however is now provided/required. Reaction time depends on concentration level and duration of exposure. Display information is limited. Requires periodic replacement of battery/sensor module every 2-3 years at a cost of $20+/- Less difficult. Can be placed anywhere needed. $30 - $50

Cause Preventive Action

Inadequate fresh air venting of the home. Have a heating contractor install a fresh air makeup system in the home.

Running gas powered equipment or automobiles in a home or garage. Gas powered equipment or vehicles should never be operated within a home or garage - even if the garage door is open. Since most homes are typically at a lower pressure relative to outside air, the gas can actually be drawn into the home.

Charcoal grilling in the home or garage. Charcoal grilling is a tremendous producer of Carbon Monoxide gas. Charcoal grills should never be operated in the home.

Malfunctioning appliances or equipment in the home. All fuel burning appliances or equipment in the home needs periodic inspection and preventive maintenance. While all fuel burning appliances will produce some CO gas, regular preventive maintenance can keep this to a minimum.

Malfunctioning or overly sensitive alarm. Buy only UL Listed alarms conforming to the latest revision (June 1995) of UL standard 2034. This revision includes new requirements to minimize nuisance alarms.

Characteristic Reset Time	Reaction Time / Exposure Level Display	Maintenance	Ease of Installation	Cost
Household Current	Will reset immediately once CO problem is corrected.	Gives continuous display of CO levels updated every few minutes.	No maintenance required during life of product (5-10 years). Detector sensor becomes more sensitive with age.	More difficult - requires outlet near detector or "hard wiring".	$30 - $50
Battery Operated	Rest time depends on exposure concentration and duration. May require removal of sensor pack. A silence button, however is now provided/required.	Reaction time depends on concentration level and duration of exposure. Display information is limited.	Requires periodic replacement of battery/sensor module every 2-3 years at a cost of $20+/- Less difficult. Can be placed anywhere needed.	$30 - $50

Cause	Preventive Action
Inadequate fresh air venting of the home.	Have a heating contractor install a fresh air makeup system in the home.
Running gas powered equipment or automobiles in a home or garage.	Gas powered equipment or vehicles should never be operated within a home or garage - even if the garage door is open. Since most homes are typically at a lower pressure relative to outside air, the gas can actually be drawn into the home.
Charcoal grilling in the home or garage.	Charcoal grilling is a tremendous producer of Carbon Monoxide gas. Charcoal grills should never be operated in the home.
Malfunctioning appliances or equipment in the home.	All fuel burning appliances or equipment in the home needs periodic inspection and preventive maintenance. While all fuel burning appliances will produce some CO gas, regular preventive maintenance can keep this to a minimum.
Malfunctioning or overly sensitive alarm.	Buy only UL Listed alarms conforming to the latest revision (June 1995) of UL standard 2034. This revision includes new requirements to minimize nuisance alarms.