Fire Service Leaders Promote Alarm Installation, Testing, and Maintenance
“Be sure you have working CO alarms on every level of your home,” Chief Andrews said. “Test them every month and change the batteries twice a year. Like smoke alarms, they also need to be replaced eventually – usually after five, seven, or 10 years. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or look up the make and model online.”
“If you buy only one smart device for your home, make it a smart smoke detector. The best ones don’t just warn you of possible fire or the presence of carbon monoxide—they also have a bevy of useful features that come from being internet-connected.”
“Keith Sherk was just 21 years old when he died from CO poisoning. It happened 20 years ago, but to his father, the pain is as fresh as if it happened yesterday.
‘It was all accidental,’ recalled Sherk. ‘It could have been prevented with just one carbon monoxide detector in his little room.’”
“I was working at the Harborview Emergency Room that evening, and in addition to caring for the usual mix of patients as well as some injured from the storm, medic units began bringing in entire families who were suffering from the same symptoms…”
Lifesaving Alternative Will Support Hotels, Restaurants in Warning of Carbon Monoxide
CO Alarm Standard Updated to Support Small Businesses in Stopping Tragedies
Washington, D.C. (August 23, 2023) – Today, UL Standards & Engagement published its updated standard for carbon monoxide alarms — UL 2034, Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms — expanding coverage to non-dwelling units, namely motels, restaurants, and other indoor locations that do not have more sophisticated detection systems installed. The change also aligns with the 2024 International Fire Code revision that requires carbon monoxide detection for commercial occupancies.
“Detection means prevention of senseless tragedies,” said Dr. David Steel, executive director of ULSE. “So many lives can be saved if there are alarms to make people aware of the presence of this deadly gas. And an alarm is often the only chance at awareness.”
An odorless and colorless threat, carbon monoxide poisoning kills at least 420 people and sends more than 100,000 to the emergency department in the U.S. each year. The numbers may be higher, as symptoms — which include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and confusion — are easily misdiagnosed.
Carbon monoxide is found in fumes produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles in enclosed spaces, stoves and gas ranges, portable generators, pool heaters, and more. When these fumes occur, an alarm is often the first, and sometimes only, indication of a problem. In recent years, carbon monoxide poisonings have occurred in restaurants, daycare centers, hotels and vacation rentals. Only 14 states require carbon monoxide detectors in hotels.
ULSE welcomes proposals to update or develop new standards. The change to UL 2034 was proposed by Kris Hauschildt, founder of the Jenkins Foundation, which she established after her parents, Daryl and Shirley Jenkins, lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel room in Boone, N.C.
Only seven weeks after the death of the Jenkins, 11-year-old Jeffrey Williams stayed in the same room and succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. The hotel room did not have a carbon monoxide alarm installed and investigation into the Jenkins’ deaths did not immediately suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to another tragedy.
“Carbon monoxide detection is critical to protecting lives,” said Hauschildt. “Not one life should be lost when the solution is this simple.”
Hauschildt had been involved in the ULSE standards process before, but this update is the first proposal she put forward. She wanted to expand usage of more affordable alarms across small businesses, where governing laws and codes allow them. The revision builds on changes made last year to expand use in commercial vehicles, in response to request by American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council. Last year’s update was critical for truck drivers, particularly those who rest or sleep in their cabs while the engine idles.
The newly updated standard is the product of a consensus process, initiated by Hauschildt, that includes discussion and voting by ULSE’s technical committee. For UL 2034, the committee is made up of 20 members, including manufacturers in the home products space, consumer nonprofits, trade associations, and government agencies, including CPSC (though CPSC is a non-voting member).
“With several options available to detect carbon monoxide, we are removing barriers to doing the right thing. We encourage every establishment to ensure they have a carbon monoxide alarm or detection system. I want to thank Kris and the technical committee for spearheading change that makes it easier to do so,” concluded Dr. Steel.
The full text of UL 2034 can be viewed for free here.
About UL Standards & Engagement
UL Standards & Engagement is a nonprofit organization that translates safety science into action through standards development, partnerships and advocacy. Since 1903, we have developed nearly 1,700 standards and guidance documents for products ranging from fire doors to autonomous vehicles. ULSE enables innovation and grows trust by convening experts and informing policymakers and regulators as we work toward a safer, more secure and sustainable future. Visit ulse.org for more information.
“While the message about carbon monoxide awareness has often targeted the public, workplaces such as campgrounds, tour operators, and festival event organizers hold a crucial role in safeguarding individuals against the dangers of this silent killer.”
In many of these cases of poisoning, Lindell Weaver, MD, Intermountain Healthcare’s medical director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Intermountain Medical Center and LDS Hospital said, “they occurred near the back of the boat, close to the exhaust where children went from from normal to serious in minutes!”
Comparison of four low-level carbon monoxide alarms suitable for home use
or when traveling. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2022 Third Quarter; 49(3):307-313.
Introduction/Background: Interest in carbon monoxide (CO) alarms that are more sensitive than is
required for standard residential CO alarms is growing, as reflected by increased marketing of “low-level” alarms capable of measuring CO levels as low as 10 PPM. At the same time, publicity surrounding
CO poisoning events among travelers in lodging facilities has stimulated interest in travel CO alarms.
We sought to evaluate four low-level alarms that could be used in the home and especially when
traveling.
Materials/Methods: Two each of four brands of low-level alarms (CO Experts, Forensics, Kidde, and
Sensorcon) were acquired by retail purchase and tested. The eight alarms were simultaneously
exposed in an environment with a slowly increasing level of CO from indoor burning of charcoal
briquets. CO levels displayed on the alarms were recorded once per minute. Activation of preset alerts
on the alarms were noted. Finally, alarms were compared for ease of use and features available.
Results: All brands of alarms measured CO similarly over the range from 10-120 PPM. All alarms
performed as claimed by their manufacturers, both regarding range of CO reported and preset alert
activation. Each alerted at CO levels below that required by the Underwriters Laboratories 2034
Standard.
Summary/Conclusions: Since all low-level CO alarms tested measured CO similarly, consumers seeking
a low-level CO alarm for use while traveling should base their decision on features desired and price.
There are definite differences between the alarms tested, in terms of features, expected durability,
ease of operation and price.
“Aphasia was the presenting symptom of CO poisoning in this case, thus making it unique. Despite having a relatively high COHb saturation, the patient showed no classic symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, or drowsiness.”
This is the first story in the series “Air We Can’t Grasp: The Insidious Matter of Carbon Monoxide.”
“During the winter, the two-family house I share with my mother sometimes gets so cold that I need a portable heater to stay warm. These days I use an electrical one. When I was a child, my family would turn the oven on to use it as a source of heat.
Now I’m aware that using a gas oven to keep warm can put tenants at risk for carbon monoxide. That made me wonder, how many people know the risks they face in their own homes from CO poisoning?”
“In 2021, based on the study, Health Canada issued guidelines for improving air quality in arenas. Using electric resurfacers and edgers to maintain the ice, in order to eliminate the main sources of pollutants, was its top recommendation.”
“You’ve got your suitcase packed with clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and your carry-on has your passport, phone, and laptop. But one thing you are likely missing is a portable carbon monoxide detector. While you may already have one in your home, have you ever thought about bringing a carbon monoxide detector on the road? There have been a number of instances when hotel or vacation-home rental guests have been killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas is odorless and tasteless, which is why it’s crucial to have a detector on hand.”
“We put carbon monoxide detectors in our homes to make us aware of any odorless leaks coming from our furnace, stove or generator. However, when staying in hotels, Airbnbs, RVs, tents, campers, etc., there could either be a lack of carbon monoxide detectors in general, or a lack of knowing if they’re working or not.”
“The findings of this research suggest that exposure to a relatively low amount of CO (raising exhaled CO levels by only 3ppm) was sufficient to cause not only changes in brain activation, but also in cognitive task performance…This does pose the question of how ambient CO pollution may be affecting our neurovascular health…”
I thought I had everything I needed onboard my pontoon boat to maximize the safety of myself and all my passengers until I discovered another item that you may not have considered either until you read this. To begin with, I’ll summarize the standard required and recommended safety equipment that most safety-minded boaters have on any boats less than 26 feet long. They include wearable life jackets that fit everyone on board, a throwable rescue device, operable navigation lights, visual distress signals, engine cut-off system, sound producing devices (i.e. horn, water-proof whistles), anchor with line, ventilation (to remove gas fumes from the hull), first-aid kit, communication devices (i.e. cell phone or VHF-FM Marine radio), and fire extinguisher. The critical item I’m now adding to my list of safety equipment is a handheld, portable, carbon-monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is not limited to boats with enclosed cabins and it has proven to be deadly on open motorboats. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas created by gasoline-powered engines, including on-board generators that can kill you. It displaces oxygen in your blood and deprives vital organs of oxygen. Even though carbon monoxide has no odor, if you smell exhaust, carbon monoxide is present, but you don’t have to smell anything for it to kill you. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes similar symptoms to dehydration, seasickness, or alcohol intoxication. They include dizziness, weakness, nausea, voting, fatigue, seizure, chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness.
Wind coming from the aft or rear of a boat can increase the buildup of carbon monoxide on board. It’s best to run a boat so prevailing winds will help dissipate exhaust fumes. If you’re driving your boat at idle speeds or at a fast high-bow angle, both can draw exhaust fumes back towards your boat, especially if there’s a tail wind. This circular airflow pattern of exhaust back towards your boat is referred to as a station-wagon or back-draft effect. Children, older adults, or immune-compromised individuals are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning from this back-draft effect.
After a long day of boating, Andy Free was only nine when he passed out and fell overboard from a docked boat. They were leaving for the day and the engine wasn’t even running at the time that he fell overboard. The Free family’s two older boys were discovered to have high levels of carbon monoxide poisoning, but they survived with medical treatment. The Free family had spent many years enjoying the water and always followed boating safety rules, but they didn’t know about the hidden danger of carbon monoxide poisoning until after their tragic loss of Andy (https://thelittledude.org/).
The family of 7-year-old Afton Taylor also suffered a tragic loss of their son to carbon monoxide poisoning. Afton was a swimmer and he had been enjoying the water since he was 6-months old. Afton fell overboard while sitting in the back of the boat as it was moving slowly in a no wake zone (https://www.lovelikeafton.com).
Carbon monoxide can also be very dangerous in the water around boats because it can accumulate near the water’s surface, especially on calm days with engines running nearby. Ally Sidloski, a 21-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning after jumping into a lake for a swim off a boat she had been on for the day. Ally was an excellent swimmer, and her parents were shocked to hear that she died in the water because they had never heard of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with boats (https://weplayfor3.com).
The Triple A’s, as the families call themselves in honor of Andy, Afton, and Ally are working together to spread the word about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when boating. They encourage boaters to use a marine carbon monoxide detector, seat children in the forward-most seating on a boat, avoid idling and exposure to emissions from other boats, and maintain fresh air circulation at all times. Also, seek medical attention immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition to that list of tips, wearing a life jacket can help in the recovery and resuscitation of someone affected by carbon monoxide. Please wear a life jacket when boating, floating, or swimming around boats because even one breath of carbon monoxide can cause people to pass out and drown.
I’ve purchased a handheld, portable carbon monoxide detector to add to my boat’s safety equipment. My hope is that anyone who boats or swims around motorboats gets one too. Share this information with those you know who enjoy boating and playing in the water around boats so we can prevent carbon monoxide deaths and save more lives on our nation’s waterways! For more information regarding the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when boating visit PleaseWearIt.com and https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/carbon-monoxide.php.
The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
(FFFIPP) recommends fire departments ensure all firefighters responding to
natural gas and propane incidents are trained to:
Interpret data from their specific multi-gas monitors to determine if
a hazardous atmosphere is present. This can include low oxygen
levels or dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide, hydrogen
sulfide, or other toxic gases.
Calibrate and maintain gas detection equipment properly by
performing bump testing at the beginning of each shift following
manufacturer’s guidance.
Use of gas detection equipment under a wide variety of conditions
including when at the lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive
limit (UEL) of a gas or vapor.
Utilize multi-gas monitor readings to establish isolation zones and
ensure a continuous risk assessment is conducted throughout the
incident.
“While CO detectors and making sure your fireplace and heaters work correctly can help prevent exposure, treatment options are limited for those suffering from CO poisoning. That’s why Tim Johnstone, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has been interested in creating an easy-to-administer antidote…”
“…they were able to secure 60 detectors, partly through a donation from the Jenkins Foundation… detectors will be handed out through the Hyperbaric Medicine team and in the emergency department at Penn to patients who come in with carbon monoxide poisoning but don’t have a detector…”
Thanks to generous donations, #PennHyperbaricMedicine was one of 23 hyperbaric units in the U.S. we were able to provide a shipment of free CO alarms to last year as part of #ProjectHBOT
*** Winter Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety – Cowlitz County ***
#DYK the risk of CO exposure at home is more prevalent in winter than in any other season? This risk has been highlighted here in Washington with the recent deaths of a couple in Point Roberts and three family members in Selah. And deaths continue to happen with alarming regularity across the country related to misuse of gas generators, especially during storm-related power outages.
To help raise awareness of this danger locally and to help ensure that residents have access to free alarms, 50 #carbonmonoxide alarms have been donated to Cowlitz County Fire Departments.
We are grateful to local businesses whose generous donations allow us to provide free CO alarms to our community.
Thank you to our local Fire Departments for supporting this effort and helping our community be CO safe.
“Initially diagnosed as Meniere’s disease, the patient was investigated and followed up in the clinic. She reported leakage of carbon monoxide from her gas fire identified during a routine safety check. Her symptoms fully resolved after disconnecting the faulty gas fire. A rare cause of fluctuating hearing loss and vertigo is described, and the diagnostic challenges are discussed.”
“A middle-aged male was brought into the emergency department for a legal lab draw of carboxyhemoglobin levels while in police custody…
First responders play a vital role in identifying potential carbon monoxide poisonings based on their observations of the scene. This case report highlights potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
“All EMS personnel will be equipped with a RAD-57 CO-Oximeter, which will provide emergency medical technicians a quick way to tell if their patient has taken in too much carbon monoxide, according to a memo acquired by The News. The devices will be onboard by Jan. 21, according to the order.”
“If you can see your way, stay under the smoke,” Enterline said. “That’s where the oxygen is. Our habitual human instinct is to walk. That’s just what we do. Stand up. But that puts you right into the smoke layer where the fire effluent is. That’s where all the toxic gasses and fumes are. It’s really a cocktail of death. You want to stay under the smoke layer and crawl out.”
“Dr. Marc Robins warned that individuals who have been poisoned by carbon monoxide are at risk for permanent brain or cardiac injuries, and suggested that anyone who has had exposure to carbon monoxide should go to the emergency room to be evaluated, no matter how light the symptoms.
“The most effective treatment comes within the first 24 hours,” Robins said.”
Twin Falls, ID – The Lindsey O’Brien Kesling (LOK) Wishing Tree Foundation is partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Magic Valley to offer a week-long leadership development program centered around carbon monoxide awareness and safety.
What if myself or someone in my home is deaf or hard of hearing? There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed.
“Clean air is fundamental to health,” the WHO said.
Under the guidelines, the WHO lowered recommended exposure levels to key pollutants including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
Thank you to Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society for featuring our recent project in this issue of Pressure. We shipped free CO alarms to 23 hyperbaric units across the country to distribute to patients being discharged after receiving emergency treatment for CO poisoning.
Donations are needed! There are several additional hospitals on a waiting list to be part of this project. If you can help sponsor the purchase of additional alarms, please visit our website at www.thejenkinsfoundation.com and click on Donate at the top of the page.
NFPA’s “…updated messaging (includes) directing people to choose hotel/motels that are protected by smoke and CO alarms, as well as sprinklers, and recommends the use of travel CO alarms…”
“When you book your first post-COVID-19 vacation rental, do you know if the hotel you book or home you rent requires CO alarms? The Fire Protection Research Foundation conducted a literature review to summarize existing requirements for installation of CO detection devices and consolidated the available and pertinent non-fire CO incident data.”
Worried you’re saying the wrong thing in your public education efforts? The NFPA Educational Messaging Desk Reference (EMAC), now in the updated 2020 Edition, offers educators and those involved in injury prevention and public education, accurate, relevant and up to date messaging for a multitude of facets of fire, burn , and CO prevention. Download your copy: https://www.nfpa.org/emac
Today is the birthday of Claude Bernard (Jul 12, 1813 – Feb 10, 1878), a French scientistwho was the first to publish an accurate description of the physiology of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning: https://www.coheadquarters.com/coBernard1.htm
Great awareness video by the Katie Haines Memorial Trust (UK). Stats may vary between countries, but CO poses the same danger no matter where you live (or travel).
Sharing this message and video by the Katie Haines Memorial Trust (UK) in memory of Katie Haines who tragically lost her life to CO poisoning 10 years ago this week. Since then her family has worked diligently to spread awareness about the dangers of CO in the UK and when traveling.
On 18th February 2010 our beloved daughter Katie was killed by accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, a few months after her fairytale wedding in the Cotswolds. We know that our pain is shared by so many others who knew and loved her. Katie’s loss has left a massive void in our lives that can never be filled. We are fortunate that we had so many videos of our children growing up – and we are grateful to Robert Lyon for going through these for us – something we would have found difficult to do – and for putting together these memories of our beautiful daughter’s short life. We will continue to strive to raise awareness and prevent others from losing a beloved member of their family from this ‘silent killer’. Please make sure your carbon burning appliances are regularly serviced and maintained by registered engineers and your chimneys swept by registered sweeps and install one or more audible carbon monoxide alarms.
This is, and I’m sure always will be, a difficult film for us to watch but we want others to know how proud and fortunate we were to have had Katie in our lives.
Avril, Gordon, Lydia and Adam.
PS – please share with your friends – and keep them safe.
Canary safety- check out how specially designed mining cages like this one helped save canaries’ lives if they were exposed to dangerous carbon monoxide (CO)
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