Carbon Monoxide Poising from a Water Heater Prevention
We have actually just recently seen a couple of news stories about carbon monoxide gas poising being linked back to a water heater as the source and so felt it important to share some about that possibility today. Yes, any nonrenewable fuel source burning home appliance produces this fatal gas. Including hot water heaters. Nevertheless, with the correct setup of the water heater, together with regular upkeep, and a working carbon monoxide detector in the home, one can sleep securely.
Reasons for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide gas (CO) is a colorless, non-smelling gas that is a bi-product of the burning of a fossil fuel like wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene. Breathing in carbon monoxide fumes not only prevents oxygen from being made use of properly by the body, but likewise causes harm to the central nervous system. Individuals with existing health troubles such as heart and lung illness are especially vulnerable, as are infants, youngsters, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
The cold weather heating season is when a majority of carbon monoxide exposures take place due to using unvented supplemental heaters. An unvented supplemental heater is a type of space heater that makes use of indoor air for heating and vents the gases produced in the heating process out into the room. A lot of heaters of this kind use kerosene or natural gas for fuel. While newer designs have oxygen sensors that turned off the heater when the oxygen level in the room falls below a particular level, older designs do not have such safety functions. Because of these security troubles, unvented space heaters have actually been prohibited in several states. Other sources of carbon monoxide gas are malfunctioning cooking devices, tobacco smoke, obstructed chimneys, auto exhaust, malfunctioning furnaces and gas clothes dryers, wood burning fireplaces, and a water heater.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Gas Poisoning
Here are the most typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning however they are not always the very same for each individual who has been exposed and many times resemble having food poisoning or the flu. A physician can assist in figuring out for sure.
headache
dizziness
weakness
queasiness and vomiting
rapid heartbeat
seizures
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurred vision
disorientation
loss of consciousness or coma
respiratory failure
Protection By Correct Gas Appliance Ventilation
The CDC offers the following info on avoiding CO2 poisoning by ensuring ones home appliances are vented correctly.
- All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
- Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented.
- Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
- Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
- Horizontal vent pipes to fuel appliances should not be perfectly level. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes aren't fitted tightly. (read more...)
Please see a doctor quickly if you suspect that you or a member of your household may have carbon monoxide gas poisoning. We can not stress enough the requirement of making certain a professional plumbing repair business services and installs any water heater equipment in your house or business.