AUTUmN/WiNTER 2010 ISSUE 20 (PDF) - Energy Safe Victoria

Beware carbon monoxide –the silent killer10www.energysafe.vic.gov.auBy Ignazio Cannizzo, ESV ManagerComplex Gas Appliance SafetyCarbon monoxide (CO) is a by-productof hydrocarbon combustion and canbe produced in large quantities whencombustion is incomplete due toquenching of the flame, poor air/gasratio control or simply a bad burner.When hydrocarbons such as LP Gas, (in mostcases predominantly propane, C 3H 8, but insome rare cases predominantly butane, C 4H 10)and natural gas (predominantly methane, CH 4)are burnt, the carbon and hydrogen react withthe oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide(CO 2) and water (H 2O).When combustion is incomplete however, theproduction of carbon dioxide is reduced andlarge quantities of carbon monoxide can beproduced.Unlike carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide is notonly a flammable gas but also a poisonous onethat has claimed the lives of many people overthe years. If the products of combustion froma gas appliance installed inside a building aredispersed to the outside atmosphere as theyshould be via a suitable, sound flue, there isnot a problem.The danger arises when large quantities ofcarbon monoxide are being produced duringcombustion and the flue products are not beingdispersed to the outside atmosphere.Flue products may not be dispersed to theoutside atmosphere if:1. The flue does not terminate outside thebuilding;2. Part of the flue that is inside the buildinghas a split in it; or,3. The flue terminal of an open-flued applianceis blocked.The danger is highly accelerated when thecarbon monoxide is spilling into:> > A bedroom or caravan where all the door andwindow openings are tightly sealed;> > A confined space such as a toilet or bathroomwhere people spend some amount of time.Carbon monoxide is an odourless gas, sopeople will not know that it is present. If aperson is exposed for long enough to a largeamount of carbon monoxide, that person willdie from asphyxiation. This is also referred toas carbon monoxide poisoning.Unfortunately there have been numerous caseswhere doctors have not alerted people sufferingfrom the symptoms described below of thepossibility of them having carbon monoxidepoisoning.Symptoms and warnings for carbonmonoxide (CO) poisoning are:Early CO poisoning symptoms include tiredness,shortness of breath, mild headaches andnausea.When CO poisoning gets worse, people mayexperience:> > severe headaches;> > dizziness;> > weakness and sleepiness;> > nausea and vomiting.If the poisoning is extreme, it may lead toconfusion, loss of consciousness and death.Loss of consciousness can happen quickly.Some people are especially sensitive to CO.This includes people with:> > heart disease;> > anaemia;> > young children;> > unborn babies;> > the elderly.Symptoms may occur when using orimmediately after using a gas appliance.Doctors should be alerted when CO poisoningis suspected. Tests can be conducted but theyneed be done quickly after exposure to COso that it registers on the results. A pattern ofsymptoms in more than one person is a verystrong warning of CO poisoning.Visible warning of a problem includes:> > Soot or discolouration around the gasappliance;> > Yellow flame;> > Heater goes out after a short time for noapparent reason;> > “Junk” falling down the flue pipe;> > Missing or damaged cowl on the top of theflue pipe.Following the death of a young woman whileshe was showering in March 2003, due tocarbon monoxide poisoning caused by a bird’snest blocking the flue terminal of the open-fluedinstantaneous gas water heater (IGWH) in herbathroom, Office of Gas Safety – a predecessorof ESV – commenced a campaign to removeIGWHs from houses.The Office of Housing has removed severalhundred IGWHs from houses under theirmanagement and numerous IGWHs have alsobeen removed from private houses.It was believed that the majority of IGWHs inhouses have been removed. But, with ESVlocating three of the units in properties inrecent months, the awareness campaign onthe dangers of carbon monoxide has beenrecommenced.Important alert for gas fitters – see page 31.Appointmentof new ESVComplianceOfficerMeet ESV’s newly appointed ComplianceOfficer, Goran Sokoleski, working in theorganisation’s equipment safety andenergy efficiency areas.Goran has extensive experience within theelectricity industry, particularly in the areaof testing, project management and qualityengineering. He graduated from RMITUniversity with an honours degree – Batchelorof Communication/Electronic Engineering –in 2002.Following graduation, Goran was employedas a Quality Engineer with Australian Arrow.In August 2005 he was appointed Test Engineerwith SGS Australia. In April 2008 he becameProject Manager with the same organisation.Planning and scheduling of projects was amajor responsibility in the role.Goran told energysafe: “I have a thoroughunderstanding of the electrical safety standardsfor home appliances, accessories, power toolsand lighting products.“As a test engineer I have tested numeroussamples of home appliances and have a verygood understanding of these products, howthey work, where products would fail andwhat to look for in test reports.”He said his appointment to ESV would assisthim towards achieving a challenging careerin equipment safety/efficiency approvals.Goran Sokoleski.