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When I work in the garage, I keep all the doors open. Is that okay? No. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ran a 5.5 horsepower gasoline-powered pressure washer in a double garage with both doors open, the window open, and a vent open. In only 12 minutes CO concentrations in the garage rose to 658 parts per million (ppm). The rate of emission from a typical gasoline engine is so large (30,000 to 100,000 ppm) that it is very difficult to provide sufficient ventilation. NIOSH warns, “Do not use equipment and tools powered by gasoline engines inside buildings…”

Do large buildings dilute carbon monoxide enough to eliminate the risk of CO poisoning? No. NIOSH investigated a case where a worker in a 48 x 88 x 14 foot room was poisoned by carbon monoxide. He was using an 8-horsepower pump and had fresh air entering the room through the forced-air heating system. Ten minutes after the pump engine was started. CO concentrations as high as 395 ppm were measured. In an Iowa case, an entire six- story hotel was filled with carbon monoxide from a single malfunctioning water heater located in the basement. Concentrations were as high as 600 ppm in a sixth-story room, a potentially lethal level.
« Last edited by username on April 16, 2018, 05:05:50 PM »

Author Topic: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?  (Read 16701 times)

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #40 on: April 16, 2018, 08:56:38 PM »
How so ?
Key to dryer function is venting.

If vent is clogged, dryer will work much longer, and possibly not completely dry clothing.
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Offline TimT

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #41 on: April 16, 2018, 08:58:53 PM »
Key to dryer function is venting.

If vent is clogged, dryer will work much longer, and possibly not completely dry clothing.
But if your distracted/busy you might not realize in time. The detector lets you know loud & clear.

Offline Yammer

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #42 on: April 16, 2018, 09:02:09 PM »


It was a few years ago. Detectors were beeping. We figured it's probably nothing, and opened some windows just in case. Detectors stopped, so we closed the windows. Then they started again after a while. I think this went on for a couple days, eventually we called someone to check it out. Turns out our oven was broken/malfunctioning, and leaking carbon dioxide (it needed to be replaced). Then we realized that a bunch of us had had headaches / fatigue for a few days already. The person said that the detectors saved our lives B"H.

Happy to hear that B"H everyone was ok. My old next door neighbor was having headaches all the as well and they found CM leaking from the boiler room. She would call down utility company all the time, and the landlord would yell at her for calling then down and called her delusional....

Offline etech0

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #43 on: April 16, 2018, 09:33:13 PM »

Happy to hear that B"H everyone was ok. My old next door neighbor was having headaches all the as well and they found CM leaking from the boiler room. She would call down utility company all the time, and the landlord would yell at her for calling then down and called her delusional....
B"H... and wow!
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Offline snapit

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #44 on: April 16, 2018, 09:50:01 PM »
My aunt and uncle (in a large house) left some flames on the stove on over a yom tov and the family ended up in the hospital to be checked out due to carbon monoxide, bh the detectors where functional. I'm unsure what the exact details were.

Offline whYME

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #45 on: April 16, 2018, 10:30:00 PM »
Co is generated from combustible energy that doesn't burn well, in order for something to burn it needs oxygen, Fuel and heat. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_triangle
When the fire is lacking any of the three it will produce unburned gases known as co
I don't believe that's exactly correct, but you are right that a fire without enough oxygen will produce CO

Another solution to minimize co is have a plant in your house since that's their food and release oxygen, problem is the faster the plant grows the more co it consumes, in order for the tree to make a signifcant difference you'd nedd a plant that grows very quick it will outgrow your house very quickly.
That would be CO2

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #46 on: April 16, 2018, 10:42:42 PM »
I don't believe that's exactly correct, but you are right that a fire without enough oxygen will produce CO
That would be CO2
There are many plants that filter CO as well.

Offline ckmk47

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #47 on: April 16, 2018, 10:57:33 PM »
Thanks for this thread.
I needed this kick in the pants.

My CO detector needed changing, so I took the old one away, but haven't replaced it yet.
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Offline Definitions

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #48 on: April 16, 2018, 11:10:43 PM »
Does anybody else get headaches (not exactly headaches more of a flu type of feeling) when the fires are on over a yom tov in their house after a day or two?
My Tapatalk notifications don't always work.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #49 on: April 16, 2018, 11:21:01 PM »
So from what I gather from the responses here, the prudent thing to do would be to install a CO detector in sleeping areas. And possibly periodically measure levels where hazard exists, such as near furnace, clothes dryer and stoves, to detect any malfunction?

Can anyone chime in with actual (NYC) building code requirements.
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #50 on: April 16, 2018, 11:23:21 PM »
Thanks for this thread.
I needed this kick in the pants.

My CO detector needed changing, so I took the old one away, but haven't replaced it yet.
That's what likes are for.  ;D
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline yesitsme

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #51 on: April 16, 2018, 11:24:30 PM »

Offline TimT

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #52 on: April 16, 2018, 11:27:47 PM »
Can anyone chime in with actual (NYC) building code requirements.
I recall somebody mentioning that a HUD or Sec. 8 inspector told him to remove the detector from the kitchen & hang it up by the bedrooms. I don’t know if that’s a rule from the city or 1 of those agencies.

Offline Tuna Baygel

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #53 on: April 16, 2018, 11:34:16 PM »
Youre probably wrong. Anyway, It's required by law in Lakewood NJ, and I would assume in most places
There’s law in Lakewood NJ?

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #54 on: April 16, 2018, 11:42:27 PM »
There’s law in Lakewood NJ?
Aren't Tuna Baygels in charge of enforcement?
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Offline David R

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #55 on: April 17, 2018, 02:52:19 AM »
So from what I gather from the responses here, the prudent thing to do would be to install a CO detector in sleeping areas. And possibly periodically measure levels where hazard exists, such as near furnace, clothes dryer and stoves, to detect any malfunction?

Can anyone chime in with actual (NYC) building code requirements.
Some detector models have a digital display that will show you the CO level.

Offline aygart

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #56 on: April 17, 2018, 08:07:03 AM »
There’s law in Lakewood NJ?
Law= what they can be sued for if they don't enforce
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline aygart

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #57 on: April 17, 2018, 08:36:06 AM »
So from what I gather from the responses here, the prudent thing to do would be to install a CO detector in sleeping areas. And possibly periodically measure levels where hazard exists, such as near furnace, clothes dryer and stoves, to detect any malfunction?

Can anyone chime in with actual (NYC) building code requirements.
NJUCC requires CO detectors in the hallways outside bedrooms. My understanding is that they should not be in the immediate areas of appliances since normal fluctuations in these areas can set them off. Even though code allows the CO detectors to be combination with smokes on the ceiling the best place for them is really lower down since CO is heavier than air.
Feelings don't care about your facts

Offline skyguy918

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #58 on: April 17, 2018, 10:36:39 AM »
NJUCC requires CO detectors in the hallways outside bedrooms. My understanding is that they should not be in the immediate areas of appliances since normal fluctuations in these areas can set them off. Even though code allows the CO detectors to be combination with smokes on the ceiling the best place for them is really lower down since CO is heavier than air.
-1 on the whole last sentence.

ETA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21536403/

I specifically looked into this before buying combos.
« Last Edit: April 17, 2018, 10:40:05 AM by skyguy918 »

Offline aygart

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Re: Is a Carbon Monoxide detector necessary in a large home?
« Reply #59 on: April 17, 2018, 10:48:31 AM »
-1 on the whole last sentence.

ETA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21536403/

I specifically looked into this before buying combos.
You are right about the - but I would put it at -.5 and give a -.5 back to you. The below makes sense even according to the link you posted. Although the issue they mention FWIU is more of an issue at corners than in the center where there would be more circulation.

https://www.lincolncounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/7767

Getting the Height Right
You must ensure you get your carbon monoxide detector installation height right. While some guides might recommend placing your detectors on the ceiling, we don't agree.
carbon monoxide detector attached to an exposed beam
The specific gravity of Carbon Monoxide is 0.9657 (with normal air being 1.0), this means that it will float up towards the ceiling because it is lighter than regular air. However, when a buildup of dangerous levels of CO gas is taking place, this is nearly always due to a heat source that is not burning its fuel correctly (motor vehicle exhaust fumes are an exception). This heated air can form a layer near your ceiling which can prevent the Carbon Monoxide from reaching a ceiling detector.
For this reason we suggest that it is best to mount your detectors on the walls at least a couple of feet below the height of the ceiling. If your detector has a digital read-out, then we recommend placing it at about eye level so you can easily read it. Or if you have some other structure, like the exposed beam in this photograph which is positioned below the ceiling level, then you can attach your carbon monoxide detectors to it instead.
Feelings don't care about your facts