What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common yet preventable cause of death from poisoning worldwide. CO poisoning is responsible for over 40 deaths per year in Ireland. Many occur at home as a result of house-fires.

The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is a common environmental source of CO and is responsible for many cases of non-fatal unintentional CO poisoning.

In normal conditions the combustion process (the addition of oxygen) will result in carbon in the fossil fuel, combining with oxygen, in the air, to produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the same substance we exhale when we breathe.

However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion process or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can be produced.

When CO is inhaled into the body it combines with the blood, preventing it from absorbing oxygen. If a person is exposed to CO over a period, it can cause illness and even death.

Carbon Monoxide has no smell, taste or colour. This is why it is sometimes called the "Silent Killer".

Carbon Monoxide alarms can be used as a backup to provide a warning to householders in the event of a dangerous build up of CO. Check that the Carbon Monoxide alarm complies with the EN 50291 standard. Remember that Carbon Monoxide alarms are no substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Causes of CO Poisoning

You can be in danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at home if dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide accumulate in the home. This can happen as a result of any or a combination of the following:

• Faulty or damaged heating appliances
• Heating appliance not maintained or serviced
• Rooms not properly ventilated
• Blocked chimneys or flues
• Indoor use of a barbecue grill or outdoor heater
• Poor installation of heating appliances
• Improper operation of heating appliances
• Property alterations or home improvements, which reduce ventilation
• Running engines such as vehicles or lawnmowers in garages
• Using cooking appliances for heating purposes

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be similar to those caused by other illnesses such as a cold or flu. They include

• Unexplained headaches, chest pains or muscular weakness
• Sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains
• Sudden dizziness when standing up
• General lethargy

What to Do?

If anyone in your house has any of the symptoms outlined above get fresh air immediately, then go to your doctor and ask him/her to check for Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Stop using the appliance immediately and do not use it again until it has been checked by a registered installer or a qualified service agent.

The amount of CO which the blood absorbs depends chiefly on two things: how much CO is in the air and the time of the exposure. Adverse effects of CO on humans are reduced by periods of breathing fresh air. The degree of recovery depends on the number and length of those periods. The general state of health and degree of physical activity of a person exposed to CO are other factors involved in the effects of Carbon Monoxide on the body.

If you or your family experience symptoms and you believe CO may be involved you should seek urgent medical advice. Inform your doctor of your concerns. CO will leave the blood when you go out into the fresh air and tests for CO may be inaccurate if taken hours after the exposure has ceased.

Again, if you find a person ill or unconscious near any fuel burning appliance, be careful in case you also become a casualty. Get fresh air immediately by opening windows and doors.

Safety Precautions

• Ensure your appliances are correctly installed and SERVICED ANNUALLY
• Ensure that rooms in your home containing heating appliances are properly ventilated - NEVER BLOCK VENTS
• Make sure all chimneys are regularly swept and kept clear
• Use appliances only for the PURPOSE for which they were designed, e.g. do not use a cooker to heat a room
• NEVER use any appliance if you suspect it might be faulty
• If undertaking ALTERATIONS to your home which may affect the safety or efficiency of your heating installation (e.g. adding an extension, converting a garage, removing internal walls, changing a living room into a bedroom, double glazing / weather sealed doors) follow this safety advice:
  • Do not block or build around any existing air vents or flues
  • If creating a new living space, ensure it has ventilation in accordance with Building Regulations
  • If adding additional radiators ensure that your boiler can cope with the additional capacity
  • If you are altering or adding appliances to a natural gas or LPG installation, ensure that work is carried out to IS813:2002 Domestic Gas Installations
  • Get professional advice on ventilation and flueing before embarking on alterations to your house. Contact your fuel supplier for details of qualified personnel
• Use Carbon Monoxide alarms but remember these are no substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys. Check that the Carbon Monoxide alarm complies with the EN 50291 standard.

Natural Gas

Choose room-sealed appliances. With room-sealed appliances fresh air intake for combustion comes from outside of the house and emissions are then discharged outside also. As such, the air in the room where the appliance is fitted is not used or affected by the appliance. Therefore room-sealed appliances (balanced flue or fanned draught types) are recommended for new and replacement boilers and water heaters.

Do you have an unsafe water heater?
Flueless gas water heaters are considered dangerous because they consume the air inside the room. This causes the products of combustion - including toxic Carbon Monoxide - to discharge directly into the room where the heater is fitted. If used for extended periods, the levels of Carbon Monoxide can build up to dangerous levels if there is a lack of ventilation. Open flue-type water heaters located in bathrooms are also considered unsafe. If you think you may have an unsafe gas waterheater contact Bord Gáis Networks now on 1850 79 79 79 for a free safety check.

Do you have a gas boiler which previously ran on oil?
In the past, existing oil boilers were modified to operate on natural gas. This was achieved by replacing the oil burner on the unit with a gas burner, with the old boiler casing and heat exchanger being retained. If you think you might have such an appliance contact Bord Gáis Networks on 1850 79 79 79 for a free safety check.

• NEVER use any appliance if you suspect it might be faulty. Have it checked. If you require a safety check of your natural gas installation phone 1850 79 79 79.
• For new installations or alterations to existing installation always use a Registered Gas Installer. For a listing call Bord Gáis on 1850 200 694.

Advice on Appliances

Oil, Gas and Solid fuel Appliances
When buying an oil or gas appliance, deal with a reputable outlet. Every new appliance is supplied with a full instruction book, essential to the correct and safe use of the appliance. Insist that the appliance installer gives you an instruction book. Read it carefully and get to know your appliance. Keep the instructions handy. If you are moving house leave the instruction book for any appliance you are not taking with you (contact your appliance supplier if you need a replacement instruction book).

All appliances should be serviced and checked for safety annually to make sure they are working safely and efficiently. If you're concerned that an appliance is not operating safely, or that the installation in your house is not in good condition or unsafe then have a safety inspection conducted.

Mobile Gas Heaters (L.P.G.)
The use of mobile heaters which are damaged can result in the production of Carbon Monoxide. In particular if the plaques or bricks at the front of the heater are damaged, or the retaining cement is missing, they should be immediately replaced by a competent person. The heater should not be used in a damaged condition.

Natural Gas

Do you have an unsafe water heater?
Flueless gas water heaters are considered dangerous because they consume the air inside the room. This causes the products of combustion - including toxic Carbon Monoxide - to discharge directly into the room where the heater is fitted. If used for extended periods, the levels of Carbon Monoxide can build up to dangerous levels if there is a lack of ventilation. Open flue-type water heaters located in bathrooms are also considered unsafe. If you think you may have an unsafe gas waterheater contact Bord Gáis Networks now on 1850 79 79 79 for a free safety check.

Do you have a gas boiler which previously ran on oil?
In the past, existing oil boilers were modified to operate on natural gas. This was achieved by replacing the oil burner on the unit with a gas burner, with the old boiler casing and heat exchanger being retained. If you think you might have such an appliance contact Bord Gáis Networks on 1850 79 79 79 for a free safety check.

Have you got a Declaration of Conformance?
The domestic installation standard I.S. 813 requires that natural gas installers provide you with a certificate confirming that the gas installation work was carried out in conformance with the standard and is safe to use. This is an important document, so keep in a safe place.

Going on Holidays?
If you go on holidays make sure your appliances are turned off. However, in very cold weather your central heating boiler can be left operating at a low setting in order to prevent water pipes from freezing.

Bord Gáis Networks contact number: 1850 79 79 79
Lines open: 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. 9am to 5.30pm Saturday

Information Provided By Carbonmonoxide.ie

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