Structures are made to be air tight in order to reduce utility bills and improve occupant comfort. Unfortunately, this prevents fresh air from entering the building and when furnaces and boilers do not get the oxygen needed to burn fuel, carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas and you may be exposed to it if your water heater, furnace, or any gas appliance malfunctions, but also if flues or vents are blocked.
When CO levels rise, you unknowingly breathe the gas into your lungs, it enters the red blood cells, and replaces the oxygen. Even small amounts can cause CO poisoning, the symptoms of which are vaguely flu-like at first but can lead to permanent brain damage or death. According to the CDC, CO poisoning sends roughly 15,000 people to the hospital each year and kills nearly 500.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Loss of breath
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide
- Often in commercial facilities, carbon monoxide will occur from gas leaks in mechanical rooms, toxic off-gassing from equipment or flammable gas leaks in pipes and equipment.
- A natural gas furnace can leak carbon monoxide from a crack in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is the metal wall or tubing that is heated up when the burners are ignited. The inside of the heat exchanger allows the toxic flue gases produced from the burners to exhaust out through the furnace flue.
- When flues are not properly maintained, fumes and particulates can enter the occupied space. Vents and connector pipes can suffer from weathering, deterioration, and debris.
- Vehicular exhaust may be problematic in parking structures and garages.
Prevention and Detection
Proper maintenance and regular inspection of potential trouble areas is the best way to prevent a problem. It is also critical to have a warning system in place. Carbon monoxide sensors are available for home and commercial use. These sensors sound an alarm when they detect a certain level of toxic gas in the air:
- Biomimetic sensors use a gel that changes color when it absorbs carbon monoxide. When the color changes, an alarm will sound.
- Metal oxide semiconductors utilize a silica chip’s circuitry to detect CO, lowering the electrical resistance, and triggering an alarm
- Electrochemical sensors rely upon electrodes immersed in a chemical solution. There are changes in electrical currents when they come into contact with carbon dioxide, causing an alarm to go off.
Determining the Best Option for You
Small, battery operated CO sensors, for your home or office, are available in most department stores and home improvement stores. Your ConServ technician can also be a valuable resource for your facility–inspecting, repairing, and maintaining your equipment.
We also offer gas monitoring solutions to keep commercial building occupants safe. If you want to learn more about carbon monoxide safety, call your local ConServ branch or schedule an inspection and/or preventive maintenance visit with one of our certified technicians.