Co Some background knowledge and advice
Co Some background knowledge and advice
Carbon Monoxide Gas is highly toxic and cannot be smelled or tasted. Carbon Monoxide can be produced by a central heating appliance when there is insufficient oxygen in the air supply to the burning chamber, it is also created by faulty gas fires and other gas appliances. Carbon Dioxide is the normal yield from a gas boiler but this can be replaced by Co with reduced air or a blocked flue. Building rules dictating ventilation necessities and the widespread accessibility gas appliance service services has reduced the incidence of Co poisoning although there are still 30 deaths per year.
Will looking at my boilers show me I have a Co issue?
One way of visually checking for likely problems is to check for marks of staining, sooting or discolouration on or around central heating, fires and water heaters. Poor airing can reduce the volume of oxygen available to burn gas within a gas boiler resulting in the production of Carbon Dioxide, in these conditions a pilot burner may change from burning with the common blue colouring to a yellow colouration. If the pilot in your system starts burning yellowed you should have the gas appliance serviced by a trained engineer without delay.
Tell me how to reduce the chances of Co related illness.
The underlying cause of Co production is lack of ventilation to a gas flame. Gas appliance engineers will check the ventilation and burning efficiency of your gas appliances during the regular maintenance visits eliminating the causes of poor burning. A CORGI-registered plumber should be employed to service your gas appliances. You can now buy electronic, battery powered, Carbon Monoxide Gas detectors which sound an alarm on detection of high levels of the gas. Provision of the recommended ventilation to gas appliances is essential and you should regularly scrutinise any air vents to ensure that the flow of air can be maintained. Moving outside your property take a look at all air ducts and air bricks to see to it that they have not been covered by plant growth. And make sure your flue doesn’t become blocked with birds’ nests or other debris. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and Co alarms. If the Co detector alarm goes off make sure it is your Carbon Monoxide Gas detector and not your smoke detector.
What are the risks with Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
Carbon Monoxide is a quiet killer so be do not delay if you see any warning marks. It is better to act quickly if you spot any symptoms as prevarication could lead to a death. Be decisive and look after your family straight away. Carbon Monoxide poisoning strikes at all age groups, not just the older or feeble. Your Favourite animals could also be injured or worse.
What are the signs of Co poisoning?
The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can often be confused with other flu like sicknesses and include:-
- persistent headaches
- instability
- extreme tiredness
- sickness
Stop using any gas appliances if you notice such signs and see to it that there is good air to the room. As a precaution ask everyone to leave the room and get the appliances inspected by a properly qualified (CORGI) plumber.