Protecting your home from Carbon Monoxide

Co is highly toxic and cannot be smelled or tasted. Bad ventilation to a boiler can lead to the production of this gas. Carbon Dioxide is the normal yield from a central heating appliance but this can be superseded by Carbon Monoxide Gas with reduced ventilation or a blocked flue. Following the adoption of regular boiler servicing and ordinances governing ventilation levels deaths from Carbon Monoxide have been held at thirty per annum although there are many more injuries from poisoning.

Can you identify a Co problem if you look at your gas appliances?

Carbon Monoxide output is often a result of incomplete combustion and this can be seen as the deposit of carbon black discolouring areas near your gas appliances. Inspecting gas pilot lights can give early warning of a lack of oxygen in the gas appliance as the colour of the pilot may change from blue to yellow. Treat the pilot burner like a traffic light, if it turns yellow this is a warning and you should arrange for the central heating appliance to be serviced as quickly as you can.

How do I protect my family from Co and possible poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide is output from a gas appliance when there is not enough oxygen available for the flame to burn all the gas in the combustion chamber. Gas appliance burning problems can be avoided by adopting a regular appliance servicing schedule by trained appliance engineers. A CORGI-registered plumber should be employed to service your gas appliances. Fitting a Co detector with an audible alarm is also a valuable investment to provide early warning of likely Carbon Monoxide Gas poisoning. Air air bricks and panels should be kept open and checked throughout the year to make sure that the designed air flow is retained to your gas appliances. Moving outside your property take a look at all ventilation ducts and air bricks to see to it that they have not been hidden by plant growth. Birds can often make nests in chimneys and block the airflow to gas appliances without you knowing, a visual inspection from the ground should be included within your ventilation action plan. Smoke alarms and Co detectors make different sounds. You should see to it that your family are aware of the differences so that they take the correct action when one of your detectors is tripped.

How dangerous is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Act quickly and be very cautious if there are any marks of Co inhalation in your family. It is better to act quickly if you spot any symptoms as prevarication could lead to a death. Take action to protect yourself and your home quickly. Age and good health are no defence against poisoning from Co. Your Pets could also be injured or worse.

Does Carbon Monoxide poisoning exhibit any signs?

You may observe common flu like signs in somebody who is actually suffering from Carbon Monoxide inhalation with characteristics like: -
- ongoing head aches
- light headiness
- loss of energy
- billiousness

If you notice signs such as these when you have gas appliances in the home, stop using the appliance without delay, step-up ventilation to the rooms, take any inhabitants outdoors and see to it that your gas appliances are inspected by a CORGI registered service plumber.

Posted in Servicing