Carbon Monoxide (CO) dectector alarms facts.
In some cases there are requirements for carbon monoxide detection systems to be installed in specific types of occupancies, at the time of construction, as required by the Ontario Building Code, that was in effect at the time of construction. The primary example of this is a parking garage that may not have any specific type of heating but the use of the building (parking motor vehicles) can lead to a buildup of Carbon Monoxide (CO). There may also be specificMinistry of Labour regulations if a business is involved in a process or function where staff could be exposed to carbon monoxide.
If there is a specific location that is concerned about possible carbon monoxide buildup, they could consider installing CO detector alarms to see if there is in fact a problem. If the alarms activate, they can contact their local fire department to see if they can respond with more accurate detection equipment to determine if the alarms had correctly detected CO.
Although the popularity of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms has been growing in recent years, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.
Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
The dangers of CO exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim's health and activity level. Infants, pregnant women, and people with physical conditions that limit their body's ability to use oxygen (i.e. emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of CO than healthy adults would be.
A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.
If you require additional information, please forward us an email to firedepartment@burlington.ca.