Carbon Monoxide Alarm Going Off - Faulty or True?

PasturesNew

Hi, hope somebody can point me to the right solution.

I am visiting somewhere and today they had some work done on their gas fire/back boiler. The job was to ventilate behind the gas fire and to fit a bigger vent to the wall beside it. Gas system/fire etc was also serviced.

The system is not on. Heating not on, boiler not on.

Mains operated carbon monoxide alarm went off. We unplugged it, then back in again - 2 minutes later, it activated. We unplugged it, tried it in another room - 2 minutes later it went off.

So, is the unit faulty? Or can carbon monoxide be created/leaked from a system that isn't even turned on?

Edit1: Unit is an EI 210 ... asking about age, I think it's over 10 years old.

Edit2: Unit says on the back "replacement after 5 years operation is recommended"

I suspect that it's just old.... and should be replaced tomorrow.

amcluesent

>and should be replaced tomorrow.<

If you make it through the night...

PasturesNew

Just found another brand new, battery, unit. I fitted the batteries myself and checked it, it works... handed it over to put in the room and it went off ... I think he had a hold of a button, gripping it hard in carrying it in. So I've reset it again and I placed it down ... it's not gone off again (yet)

lemontart

call 0800 111 999 . turn the gas off at the meter, open doors and windows to ventilate the property, DO THIS NOW you cannot be too careful with co it can kill.

Cardew

lemontart wrote: »

call 0800 111 999 . turn the gas off at the meter, open doors and windows to ventilate the property, DO THIS NOW you cannot be too careful with co it can kill.

Or buy a canary!

Seriously - put the alarm outside in the garden and if it goes off - its faulty!

PasturesNew

Cardew wrote: »

Or buy a canary!

Seriously - put the alarm outside in the garden and if it goes off - its faulty!

I did that and it didn't go off. It's causing great big arguments here because carbon monoxide cannot exist if there's no systems on/firing up.... -v- me wanting to check that it's working right.

I went and pressed test/reset and it went off... so I pressed that again and it went off again.

Not allowed to fiddle with it any more .... big arguments and it's just all a pain in the !!!! as I am as sure as I can be (read the manual, checked it, tested it) that it's working... but I am not allowed to press the test/reset buttons a few more times to check and feel 100% confident that I am right and it is right and all is OK.

Families .. who'd have them????

lemontart

ok so your alarm is going off in a particular place and not another then you need to call the gas emergency service to come and make you safe NOW 0800 111 999 then get a gas safe registered engineer to come and that can come and do a combustion analysis as the appliance does - do any of your appliances have flames other than blue, or soot like stains around, - have any of you felt headache, nausea, breathing problems, drowsy, sore throat?

Is it worth your heatlh or your lives this arguement? It may be nothing but why risk it.

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• Carbon Monoxide poisoning
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Carbon Monoxide poisoning - know the symptoms

Unsafe gas appliances produce a highly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO). It can cause death and serious long term health problems such as brain damage.



You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can kill quickly with no warning.
In the last year, 14 people have died from CO poisoning and 234 have suffered health problems from CO exposure. This poisonous gas is released when gas appliances are incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained.
An annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer will make sure your appliances are safe. This will prevent you being exposed to low levels of CO.
What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous substance which is produced by the incomplete burning of gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).
This can happen if a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.
You could be inhaling CO without realising it. You can't see, smell or taste it, but at high levels it can kill you in minutes. Even breathing in a small amount can cause loss of consciousness and death.
Properly managed, gas is safe. Poorly managed, gas can produce harmful levels of carbon monoxide. So always use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Oil and solid fuels such as coal, coke, wood, petrol and oil can also produce carbon monoxide.
What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs when you breathe in even small amounts of the gas. You can't see, smell or taste carbon monoxide so you won’t know it is there. You won’t necessarily notice the smell of gas.
If you breathe in CO, it gets into your blood stream and prevents your red blood cells from carrying oxygen. Without oxygen the body tissue and cells die.
Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. Paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of exposure to CO.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Being aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning could save your life.
Many of the symptoms of carbon monoxide are similar to those of flu, food poisoning, viral infections, or simple tiredness. It is common to mistake the symptoms for something else.
Remember the six main symptoms to look out for:

1. headaches
2. dizziness
3. nausea
4. breathlessness
5. collapse
6. loss of consciousness

Other signs that you may have CO poisoning:

• If your symptoms only occur when you are at home
• Your symptoms disappear or get better when you leave home and come back when you return
• If anyone else in your household is experiencing any of the symptoms (including your pets) and whether they appear at a similar time

If you have any of the above symptoms:

• Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and leave the house
• See your doctor immediately or go to hospital - let them know that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They can do a blood or breath test to check.
• If you think there is immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline
• Get a Gas Safe registered engineer to inspect your gas appliances and flues to see if there is a dangerous problem

How do I know if my gas appliances are leaking carbon monoxide?

Your home may show symptoms of carbon monoxide, too. Any one of the following could be a sign that there is a build up of carbon monoxide and you need to have your gas appliances checked.

• The flame on your cooker should be crisp and blue. Lazy yellow or orange flames mean you need to get your cooker checked
• Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Increased condensation inside windows

If you suspect that you have a faulty gas appliance in your home get it checked as soon as possible by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Can I get a carbon monoxide alarm?

Gas Safe Register strongly recommends that you fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home, but this is no substitute for getting your appliances checked regularly.
A CO alarm looks similar to a smoke alarm and is very easy to fit by following manufacturer’s instructions. You can purchase a carbon monoxide alarm for under £20 at your local DIY store or supermarket.
Before purchasing a CO alarm, always make sure it complies with British Standard EN 50291. It must have a British or European approval mark on it, such as a Kitemark.
You can be particularly at risk from CO poisoning when you are asleep as you may not be aware of early CO symptoms until it is too late. Do not use the ‘black spot’ detectors that change colour when carbon monoxide is present. These will not make a sound to wake you up if the poisonous gas is present while you are sleeping.
To avoid CO poisoning, always have your gas appliances installed and serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. They have been trained and are qualified to carry out gas work to the highest safety standards.

JohalaReewi

If it goes off call out the experts. They don't mind and you will be able to rest easy.

However, CO detectors do have a limited life and should be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer (5 years is about average for electrical ones). Some start going off after 5 years just to remind you to change them. This is a bit silly because you might not be sure if the unit is telling you it is old and needs replacing, or there is some CO about. If in doubt, assume the worst and call out the experts.