Carbon monoxide dectector-do I need one?

martin57

Hi,

I use oil heating and the boiler house is attached to my home(0bviously walls in between) Just wondering do I really need a carbon monoxide dectector in my situation?

Thanks
Martin57

A.L.D.A

I can't see why you would need one for an outside boiler.

Carbon monoxide is formed when there is insufficient air supply and the burning of fuel is incomplete. Internal appliances that do not have a direct air intake from the outside, are not in a well ventilated space or have defective fuels are the problem.

Carbon monoxide has no smell so you will not have any real warning of a problem. Symptoms include headaches, dizzy, feeling sick, tired, breathless, vision, loss of consciousness and eventually death. It is described as a silent killer.

fyr

The answer is yes unlike other poster's reply.

In following case CO emitted from a boiler outside too:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/4671936.stm

Why take the risk for £15-20?

Barneysmom

Yes from me too.
Though our fire brigade fitted ours for free, just pop in and ask if they do them in your area?
They gave us a combined smoke alarm/co detector.
In a house fire it's not just smoke but co too.

It was very nice watching them fit it too

esuhl

I would too - you can get cheap stickers that turn black when exposed to carbon monoxide or a (still inexpensive) battery-powered one that will last longer.

ballyblack

for £15-20?

Asda has them for £12.50

A.L.D.A

fyr wrote: »

The answer is yes unlike other poster's reply.

In following case CO emitted from a boiler outside too:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/4671936.stm

Why take the risk for £15-20?

Thanks for the link; the question related to an external oil boiler.

In the case you refer to the death was caused by carbon monoxide seeping in from a faulty gas boiler belonging to a neighbour.

Does anyone know of the details of this case? I have tried Googling, but keep getting the campaign rather than the detail of the actual case. Just curious as to what actually happened. How did it seep in and where was the boiler located? Genuinely interested!!!

It is the seeping in that has me puzzled. Was it via the window and due to one of those low level balanced flues, or was it somehow through the structure? If the gas is exiting via the flue would a CO detector in the boiler house detect the problem? Puzzled!!!

With all internal gas burning appliances, boilers, cookers, ovens, water heaters etc. fit CO detectors and get the appliance serviced regularly.

esuhl wrote: »

I would too - you can get cheap stickers that turn black when exposed to carbon monoxide or a (still inexpensive) battery-powered one that will last longer.

Unless you have impaired hearing fit an audible alarm.

CO is slightly lighter than air but with movement mixes with the other gases in air. If you have a faulty gas appliance you won't get much of a warning as the early symptoms of poisoning can be overlooked.

Scania_Man

perhaps an old leaking flue in the party wall in semi detached houses? Not sure. I'd always err on the side of caution with something so serious.

martin57

Thanks for replies I have decided to err on the side of caution and bought 2 of the asda ones at £12.50 each.

Thanks again.
martin57

dmxdave

martin57 wrote: »

Thanks for replies I have decided to err on the side of caution and bought 2 of the asda ones at £12.50 each.

Thanks again.
martin57

Have to agree there Martin, as above make sure you read the instructions on where to place them as they are NOT the same as smoke detectors!

jtk174

A.L.D.A wrote: »

Thanks for the link; the question related to an external oil boiler.

Does anyone know of the details of this case? I have tried Googling, but keep getting the campaign rather than the detail of the actual case. Just curious as to what actually happened. How did it seep in and where was the boiler located? Genuinely interested!!!

The lad who died was called Dominic Rodgers. His mother set up a trust called the Dominic Rodgers Trust, but if you google that you will get some links like this one ;

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/mother_s_drive_to_cut_gas_deaths_1_2389075

In case the link is not available, it says "NOBODY knows better than Stacey Rodgers the heartache carbon monoxide poisoning can bring.

Two-and-a-half-years ago her only child, 10-year-old Dominic, fell victim to the silent killer as he slept when poisonous fumes from a neighbour's faulty boiler flue seeped through the brick walls of his bedroom."