Fire Department

Chesapeake Fire Department
CO MONITOR PROGRAM

What is Carbon Monoxide and where does it come from?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that is created when fossil fuels; that is gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil and methane, burn incompletely. It is invisible, odorless, and colorless which is why it's called senseless. It can be generated in a room heater, a furnace, a charcoal grill, a range, a water heater, an automobile or a fireplace. You might see rusting or water streaking on a vent or chimney, loose masonry, or debris or soot falling from a chimney, fireplace or appliance. You might see a loose or missing furnace panel, or a loose or disconnected vent, or chimney connection. There may be a corroded or disconnected water heater flue or an improperly ventilated appliance. All are indications of a possible problem.

CO replaces oxygen in the blood stream, eventually taking up all the space and causing suffocation. Just how sick a person is going to become varies with factors such as age, overall health, the gas concentration during the exposure (measured in parts per million) and how long a person is exposed. At low levels, that is under 35 ppm, there can be little or no effect for up to 8 hours. At mid levels, that is from 35 - 100 ppm, a slight headache develops after 2 - 3 hours, and this can be accompanied by nausea and fatigue. At high levels, that is 100 ppm and above, a throbbing headache can ensue after as little as 45 minutes, and this can be accompanied by drowsiness, confusion and a fast heart rate. And at extreme levels, that is 1000 ppm and beyond, the above symptoms may start after only 5 to 10 minutes and can be rapidly followed by convulsions, unconsciousness and heart and lung failure. Any unexplained symptoms such as these should be taken as a serious warning.

• Make sure appliances are installed by professionals and according to manufacturer's instructions. C0 Monitor
• Have the heating system, including the chimneys and vents, inspected and serviced annually.
• Follow all manufacturer's directions for safe operation.
• Examine vents and chimneys regularly for improper connections, visible rust or stains.
• Be aware of any problems that might suggest improper appliance operation.
• Always be aware of proper ventilation.
• Have your vehicle inspected for exhaust leaks and never warm up or run a car in the garage.
• Do not use ovens or gas ranges to heat a home.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Report any triggering of the CO alarm. If anyone shows any signs of CO poisoning in connection with a detector alarm, have everyone leave the building right away, leaving doors open as you go. Use a neighbor's telephone to report the CO alarm to the fire department.
• Our department has established a CO detector loaner program for the citizens we serve. These detectors are offered to monitor and safeguard structures where a potential threat has been identified until the exact nature of the problem is defined and corrective measures can be taken. This policy has been developed to provide you with an informative tool to help protect your family.