What it is?
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, Odorless gas and it can harm you even
at small concentrations. Carbon Monoxide (CO) displaces oxygen which binds with
the hemoglobin and thus suffocates the body. Carbon Monoxide can harm you in
low concentration over a period of several hours. However, in higher
concentrations Carbon Monoxide can kill in less than five minutes.
Please see table published by CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing
Corporation) below for concentration of carbon monoxide and their effects:
CO concentration in parts per million (ppm)
|
Effects
|
0 – 2
|
Normal
conditions in and outside Canadian houses.
|
10
|
Recommended
exposure limit over a 24-hour period.3
|
25
|
Recommended
exposure limit over a 1-hour period.3
|
30
|
CO
detectors are not allowed to sound alarm unless this concentration is
maintained for more than 30 days.2
|
70
|
CO
detectors must sound alarm within 1 to 4 hours.2
|
150
|
CO
detectors must sound alarm within 10 to 50 minutes.2
|
200
|
Slight
headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after 2 to 3 hours. CO detector alarm
must sound within 35 minutes.4
|
400
|
CO
detectors must sound alarm within 4 to 15 minutes.2
|
800
|
Dizziness,
nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes, death within 2 to 3 hours.4
|
1,600
|
Death
within 1 hour.4
|
13,000
|
Danger
of death after 1 to 3 minutes.4
|
How it is produced?
In a House Carbon Monoxide is produced by any fuel burning appliance
which has malfunctioned or improperly installed, such as!
-
Furnace
- Stove and Oven
- Water heater
- Dryer
- Room and space Heater
- Fireplace and wood Stove
- Charcoal Grills
- Automobiles
- Clogged Chimneys or flues
How to protect yourself?
-
Service your furnace regularly by certified HVAC Technician.
-
Get flues, dampers and chimneys inspected yearly by certified
professional for any obstruction or crack.
-
If you have an attached Garage make sure the door between the garage and
house is properly sealed and it has a self-closing devise.
-
Install Carbon Monoxide detectors in the house preferably on each floor
and especially near sleeping area where it can easily be heard while sleeping. Furthermore,
test them regularly for proper operation.
Carbon Monoxide Article by CMHC
Home Inspection Toronto, Home Inspection Mississauga, Home Inspection Brampton, Home Inspection Vaughan, Home Inspection GTA
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