Shielding your home from Co
Shielding your home from Co
Co is a very poisonous gas with no taste, no colour and no smell. Carbon Monoxide Gas gas can be produced when a central heating appliance is operating with too little oxygen supply provided to the burning chamber. The standard flue gases from a gas appliance, or other gas appliance such as a gas fire, contain Carbon Dioxide, this is displaced by Co when the oxygen levels are reduced. Building regulations dictating ventilation prerequisites and the widespread accessibility gas appliance servicing services has reduced the incidence of Carbon Monoxide Gas poisoning although there are still 30 deaths per year.
What will I observe if I have a Carbon Monoxide Gas issue in my home?
One way of visually checking for likely problems is to check for signs of spotting, sooting or discolouration on or around gas boilers, fires and water heaters. Poor airing can reduce the volume of oxygen available to burn gas within a boiler resulting in the production of Co2, in these conditions a pilot light may change from burning with the usual blue color to a yellowed colouration. If the pilot burner in your system starts burning yellow you should have the boiler serviced by a trained engineer without delay.
What actions can I take to reduce the chances of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
As mentioned Carbon Monoxide Gas is produced when a gas flame burns with insufficient oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere. On the assumption that there are no design faults in the air of your central heating appliance, frequent gas appliance and gas appliance servicing will help to avoid any troubles which could lead to the output of Carbon Monoxide Gas. To guarantee compliance with the gas appliance servicing ordinances make sure that the gas engineer you hire to service your appliances has CORGI registration. Fitting a Carbon Monoxide detector with an audible alarm is also a valuable investment to provide early warning of possible Co poisoning. You should also keep air vents in doors, walls or windows clear – never cover them up to prevent draughts. Moving outside your property take a look at all ventilation ducts and air bricks to ensure that they have not been covered by plant growth. Birds can often make nests in chimneys and block the air flow to gas appliances without you knowing, a visual inspection from the ground should be included within your air action plan. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide Gas alarms. If the Carbon Monoxide detector alarm goes off make sure it is your Carbon Monoxide Gas detector and not your smoke detector.
What are the risks with Co poisoning?
Carbon Monoxide Gas is a quiet killer so be do not delay if you see any warning marks. There are no second chances with poisoning from this gas so do not delay if you suspect anything. Take action to protect yourself and your family quickly. Co poisoning can affect anyone irregardless of age. Favourite animals, large and small, are also possible victims.
What should I look for as early marks of poisoning from Carbon Monoxide?
The signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can often be confused with other influenza like sicknesses and include:-
- frequent head aches
- light headiness
- little energy
- nausea
A CORGI certified gas plumber should be brought in to inspect your gas appliances if you discover these signs in your family. Whilst waiting for the plumber to arrive you should see to it that you have opened the windows and everyone has left the home.
