Life Safety - Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors are great devices to use when fuel-burning appliances are used in the home. They can be very useful for keeping watch on the CO levels in the home; although they should never be substituted for having a trained professional come to your home to inspect your appliances.

CO Levels
Average CO levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.

CO detectors should be tested at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions and should be replaced after about two years. Batteries should also be replaced as needed according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Handling a CO emergency
Let's say you and your family are home when the CO detector goes off. What do you need to do in a situation when you notice the CO levels rising in your home? A CO detector will sound in the same way as a smoke alarm alerting residents to evacuate the premises. A detector with a low level indicator is recommended because it is more sensitive to any rise in CO, no matter how slight. It can best prevent residents from developing carbon monoxide poisoning.

When your CO detector sounds the following steps should be taken;

1. Any fuel burning appliances should be turned off until checked by a professional technician.

2. Any member of the household experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should be checked immediately by a doctor.

3. The Richmond Hill Fire Department requests that you DO NOT ventilate your home by opening doors and windows. It is much easier for us to determine the source of the carbon monoxide when the conditions within your home have not been altered by prematurely ventilating any carbon monoxide that may be inside.

4. When everyone is safely out of the house notify the fire department.