Should You Be Concerned About Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

March 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

Carbon Monoxide

Is the Great State of California looking out for your best interest? You hear the commercials on the radio where the big box stores are pushing carbon monoxide alarms. They state, “There is a new California law requires all homes to have a carbon monoxide alarm”. Well yes that is true. This sounds great, right? Or are they giving homeowners and tenants a false sense of security?  Let’s look at carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide alarms.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal biological functions.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?

Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion. All gas fired appliances and engines produce some level of carbon monoxide.

Why Is Carbon Monoxide Bad For Us?

When a person is exposed to carbon monoxide it inhibits the bloods ability to carry oxygen.  Different levels of carbon monoxide exposure have different effects on the body.  When exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide a person may notice headaches after just an hour of exposer at levels of 200 parts per million (ppm).  If a person is exposed to 3,000ppm death can occur in less than thirty minutes.  On the other end of the spectrum is low-level exposure over extended periods of time.

Symptoms Of Low Level Carbon Monoxide Exposure:

The following ailments have linked to chronic low-level exposure to carbon monoxide:

  • Alzheimer’s
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Memory Loss
  • Parkinson’s
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
  • Hair Loss
  • Libido Loss
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Vertigo
  • Mood Changes
  • Lou Gherig’s Disease
  • Asthma

Summary of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2012:

  • California Senate Bill 183
  • Effective July 1, 2011 – Single Family
  • Effective January 1, 2013 – Multi Family
  • Requires a UL 2034 CO Alarm on every level of a house and in sleeping areas

What is a UL2034 Carbon Monoxide Alarm?

The carbon monoxide poisoning prevention act of 2012 requires that Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approve all carbon monoxide alarms sold in California.  UL states these products are to protect “Young and Health Adults” at prescribed alarm levels.

This sounds great but lets look at what is required by the UL for certification (UL2034 in Red):

  • 1-4ppm Normal levels in human tissue
  • 3-7ppm 6% increase in hospital admission for non elderly for asthma
  • 9ppm Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Air Act standard for out doors for 8 hour & maximum 3 times per year.
  • 25ppm Maximum allowable in a Parking Garage per International Mechanical Code
  • 30ppm 1st visual display on UL2034, must not alarm before 30 days!
  • 35ppm The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended 8 hour maximum work place exposure
  • 35ppm EPA standard for out doors 1 hour maximum 1 time per year.
  • 35ppm Many fire departments standard for SCBA.
  • 50ppm OSHA recommended 8 hour maximum workplace exposure.
  • 70ppm – 1st alarm of a UL2034 CO Alarm with in 1 to 4 hours.
  • 200ppm
    • Healthy adults will show symptoms
    • NIOSH & OSHA recommend evacuate the workplace
    • UL2034 alarm must sound with in 30 to 60 minutes
  • 400ppm
    • Headache with in 1-2 hours
    • Maximum EPA levels for industrial flue exhaust
    • UL2034 alarm must sound with in 15 minutes.

As you can see by looking at the alarm levels listed above in red there is no real “alarm” for low-level exposure and even at higher levels you must be exposed for extended periods of time before the alarm must sound.

So What Should You Do?

Do not solely rely on a UL2034 Carbon Monoxide alarms.  You should install a low-level carbon monoxide detector at eye level near the sleeping areas of you home. If you don’t believe me here is what one of the leading UL2034 Alarm manufactures say in their instructions.   Kidde-Nighthawk Model #KN-COPP-3 says: “Pregnant women, infants, children, senior citizens, persons with heart or respiratory problems and smokers may experience symptoms at lower levels of exposure than noted. Individuals with medical problems may consider using warning devices which provide audible and visual signals for carbon monoxide concentrations under 30ppm.”

So What Is The Difference?

Low Level Carbon Monoxide Detector:

  • 5ppm – Visual Display
  • 15-20ppm – 1st alarm level 5 min
  • 35ppm – 2nd alarm level 5 min
  • 70ppm – 3rd alarm level 30 seconds & cannot be silenced.

UL2034 Approved Carbon Monoxide Alarm:

  • 30ppm – 1st Visual display must not alarm before 30 days.
  • 70ppm – 1st alarm 1-4 hours
  • 200ppm – 2nd alarm 30-60 minutes
  • 400ppm – 3rd alarm within 15 minutes

What To Do If You Suspect Carbon Monoxide:

  • Evacuate the house
  • Call 911
  • Have a certified technician repair the appliance.

CLICK HERE For more information on the Low-Level Carbon Monoxide Detectors that we offer.

Tyler Miner, Certified Carbon Monoxide & Combustion Analyst NCI#C11-273-09

 

 

 

Posted Under: Heating & Air, Henry Bush, Plumbing | ,

NSI 3000 Low-Level CO Monitor

March 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

nsi3000

Protect Your Entire Family!

WITH NSI’S PROFESSIONAL GRADE LOW-LEVEL CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR

TRUE PROTECTION FOR ALL AGES!

  • Provides protection for all age groups and conditions, especially infants, children, the elderly, and highly sensitive or ill people. Other detectors barely provide minimal protection for healthy adults.
  • Lets you know there’s a problem before reaching dangerous, even deadly CO levels, long before the other detectors even begin to work.
  • Model 3000 Monitors employ the same electrochemical sensor technology found in professional CO Analyzers that cost thousands of dollars. These monitors are calibrated using CO, not electronic guesswork!

Facts You Should Know To Protect Your Family

Why do I need a low-level monitor?

The NSI low level monitor senses CO levels as low as 5 ppm (parts per million). Infants, children, elderly, persons with respiratory or heart ailments are provided little or no protection from deadly CO with standard alarms. Longterm exposure to Low-level CO above 15 ppm can cause illness and even permanent disabilities.

What about the other “detectors” sold at retailers and home centers?

Store-bought detectors don’t alarm until unsafe levels of 70 ppm or higher are present at the unit for 3-1/2 hours! By then it may be too late. Plug-in models don’t always allow for proper placement and don’t work during power outages. The NSI 3000 is battery powered for 24/7 protection.

Why is the NSI 3000 more expensive than the others?

Accurate, low-level CO detection requires more expensive components & quality control. The NSI 3000 CO monitor uses the same technology and sensors as in professional-grade CO analyzers used by contractors, fire departments, and utilities. And NSI’s unique Continuous Scan™ mode lets you know the monitor is operational 24/7!

How many monitors should I have in my home?

As with smoke detectors, you should have one monitor installed on every level of your home. Even a single story home may need two – one at each end.

Where should I place the NSI monitor?

CO is lighter than air.Monitors should be mounted at eye level and no lower. They should be placed in an area with good air circulation. If you have only one monitor it should be placed near the master bedroom. Additional locations include your kitchen, nursery, basement, rooms with fireplaces or gas logs, and near your heating system and/or hot water tank.Your professional installation contractor will determine the best location in your home.

What should I do if my monitor goes off?

Call your CO-Certified contractor at any level below 70 ppm, unless you have symptoms. CO exposure can cause nausea, severe headache, shortness of breath, chest pain, blurred vision, and dizziness. If you experience these symptoms call 911 and leave the house immediately. Above 70ppm, evacuate immediately. If you have symptoms, call 911 from a neighbors house. Call your utility to turn off the equipment until your COCertified contractor can investigate the source of carbon monoxide.

The NSI 3000 Offers Real Protection:

  • Continuous Scan™ mode lets you know monitor is checking for CO – 24/7
  • Digital display shows CO levels of 5ppm or higher
  • Low Alarm – 15 ppm - audible & visual every 8 seconds
  • High Alarm – 35 ppm - audible & visual every 4 seconds
  •  Crisis Alarm – 70+ ppm - audible & visual every 2 seconds
  • 5-minute “Hush” button for levels below 70 ppm
  • Designed for wall installation or tabletop use
  • Replaceable 9V battery ensures operation even when power is out
  • 3-Year limited Warranty

YES We Sell NSI 3000 Carbon Monoxide Detectors.  Call for details 1-800-25-PLUMBER (1-800-257-5862). 

Resources:

NSI 3000 Installation Manual

Above information courtesy of National Comfort Institute, Inc.1-800-633-7058, www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com


Posted Under: Henry Bush | , ,