Carbon monoxide (Co), is an odourless, colourless, tasteless and deadly gas. It is produced by the burning of liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels and is a by-product of incomplete combustion when the fuel is burned.
Carbon Monoxide can be produced by some common home appliances including:
- solid fuel, oil and gas boilers
- solid fuel, gas and oil ranges and cookers
- gas clothes dryers
- gas water heaters
- all open fireplaces burning any fuel types including wood, smokeless coal, house coal, peat or gas
- wood and coal burning stoves and inserts
- charcoal grills including bar-b-ques
Even exhaust fumes from your car engine left running in a garage attached to your house could leave you at risk.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
There are numerous dangers that are associated with Co, some of them are short term problems, while others can be permanently damaging and even fatal. CO can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen. Some symptoms of Co poisoning include; nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness, shortness of breath, irritability, confusion, and sleepiness.
One of the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home is death. A large dose of this tasteless, odourless and colourless gas can kill you in a matter of minutes.
Carbon monoxide is attracted to the haemoglobin in your bloodstream. When inhaled, Co replaces the oxygen which the body cells need in order to function. It quickly attaches itself to the haemoglobin in the bloodstream and creates CoHb (carboxyhemoglobin). This type of bonding prevents the oxygen from effectively getting to the brain, the muscles, and other organs, which in turn causes damage to the body’s vital organs.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can result in brain damage, memory or/and cognitive problems, personality and behavioural changes, and a wide range of many other permanent problems and death.
When carbon monoxide is in the air in your home, it can rapidly accumulate in your blood, which in turn causes many complications in the body. High levels of carbon monoxide are usually fatal; though low levels are still very dangerous. Long term exposure to Co, can lead to brain damage as mentioned earlier, and also some cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, or arrhythmias.
Make Sure You’re Protected From The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
If a home is properly vented, and is free from any kind of appliance malfunction, air vent or chimney blockage or air pressure fluctuation, any carbon monoxide produced in the combustion gasses should be discharged safely to the outside atmosphere.
However, in today’s energy efficient households, this is not always the case. The tightly sealed and constructed homes can trap Co polluted air in the home.
The appliance heat exchanger might crack, air vents may become blocked causing insufficient air supply for the combustion of the fuel in the appliance. Insufficient air can often cause the chimney to function incorrectly causing fumes to spill back into the room.
Because of this, it is now compulsory in England and Wales to install a carbon monoxide detector/alarms conforming with BS EN 50291:2001 in the room where a new or a replacement solid fuel appliance is fitted. It also recommended to add some more detectors/alarms on each level of your home, and in each bedroom where others may be sleeping whilst the appliance is in use just to provide some extra protection, especially if the property / chimney is old.
The alarm should be either mains or battery powered and is best if fitted with a self test feature with an audible alert should the battery or detector develop a fault. Remember, no detector is infallible and it should never be used as a substitute for regular chimney cleaning or appliance maintenance by registered chimney sweeps and installers.
Apex Chimney Sweeping Services can install Co detectors/alarms that meet the requirements of the currently set standards. The carbon monoxide detectors which we supply are at top of the range and have a minimum battery life of 7 years, they help keep your home safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Contact Apex Chimney Sweeps to book a professional chimney sweeping company!
You can read more about Carbon Monoxide requirements for professional landlords here.
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