4 — English
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
Why is this important?
Because you need to be warned of a
potential CO problem while you can still react in time. Many
reported cases of CO exposure and CARBON MONOXIDE
POISONING indicate victims may be aware that they are not
feeling well, but they become disoriented and they cannot
adequately respond by either exiting the building or getting
help by calling for assistance. Young children and pets may
be the first affected. The average healthy adult might not feel
any symptoms when the Carbon Monoxide Alarm sounds.
However, people with cardiac or respiratory problems, infants,
unborn babies, pregnant mothers or elderly people can be
more quickly and severely affected by CO.
WARNING:
If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poi-
soning, GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the
physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning
has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood
test done soon after exposure.
Finding the source of CO after an alarm:
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless toxic
gas, which often makes it difficult to locate the source of CO
after an alarm. Several factors can make it difficult to locate
sources of CO including:
House or garage is well ventilated before the investigator
arrives.
Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives,
it may be difficult to locate the source of CO.
One World
Technologies, Inc. shall not be obligated to pay for any
carbon monoxide investigation or service call.
Potential sources of CO in and around your home and
garage:
Fuel burning appliances:
Portable heater, gas or wood
burning fireplace or furnace, gas kitchen range, cooktop
or oven, gas clothes dryer, water heater, generator.
Damaged or insufficient venting:
Corroded or discon-
nected water heater vent pipe, leaking chimney pipe or
flue, or cracked heat exchanger, blocked or clogged
chimney opening.
Improper use of appliance or device:
Operating a bar-
becue grill or generator or vehicle in an enclosed area
(like a garage or screened porch).
Transient CO Problems:
Intermittent or on-again-off-again CO problems can be
caused by outdoor conditions and other special circum-
stances in and around your home.
Conditions which can result in transient CO situations:
Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning ap-
pliances caused by:
• Outdoor ambient conditions such as wind direction
and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind; heavy
air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended
periods between cycles).
• Negative pressure differential resulting from the use
of exhaust fans.
• Simultaneous operation of several fuel burning ap-
pliances competing for limited internal air.
• Vent pipe connection vibrating loose from clothes
dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.
• Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs
which amplify the above situations.
Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices
(range, oven, fireplace, etc.).
Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses
near the ground.
Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near
a home.
Using any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed
trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, or small engines)
in or near your garage.
Using a generator inside a home or garage, even if your
garage door or other doors and windows are open. These
conditions are dangerous because they can trap Carbon
Monoxide in your home. Since these conditions can
come and go, they are challenging to recreate during a
CO investigation.
How can I protect my family from CO poisoning?
To help prevent CO problems and reduce the risk of CO
poisoning, ALWAYS properly maintain your home:
Clean chimneys and flues yearly. Keep them free of
debris, leaves and nests for proper airflow. Also, have
a professional check for rust and corrosion, cracks, or
separations. These conditions can prevent proper air
movement and cause backdrafting. Never “cap” or cover
a chimney in any way that would block air flow.
Test and maintain all fuel-burning equipment annually.
Many local gas or oil companies and HVAC companies
offer appliance inspections for a nominal fee.
Make regular visual inspections of all fuel-burning appli-
ances. Check appliances for excessive rust and scaling.
Also check the flame on the burner and pilot lights. The
flame should be blue. A yellow flame means fuel is not
being burned completely and CO may be present. Keep
the blower door on the furnace closed. Use vents or fans
when they are available on all fuel-burning appliances.
Make sure appliances are vented to the outside.
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