Carbon Monoxide Alarm Response Guide. High Country Training Center Training On Demand

Transcription

1 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Response Guide High Country Training Center Training On Demand

2 Objectives Look at Home CO detectors Everything you do and don t want to know about CO detectors Fire Department CO Response Response numbers Fire Dept. detectors Response Considerations Fire Department Objectives Paperwork!

3 Home Carbon Monoxide Detectors Helping the General Public Trouble shoot

4 Home CO Detectors Home CO detectors are designed to measure accumulative CO These detectors alarm when unsafe conditions are reached However, they may take some time to reach that level CO exposure detector alarm standards There is no Consensus on acceptable exposure levels to CO. The various exposure thresholds set by different regulatory agencies Ambient Condition EPA standard for ambient air is 9 ppm/8 hours Several us cities exceeds this threshold two or more times a year Measuring CO Expressed in parts per million over time

5 Home CO Detectors in General Underwriters Laboratories standard 2034 General features Must pass more than 30 tests of safety, reliability and performance The higher the Concentration, the shorter the time allowed for the detector to activate All detectors must have a silence button. Pushing it will silence the alarm for 4 to six minutes. If Concentrations stay above 70 ppm it will alarm again in six minutes. Carbon monoxide Concentration and response time 70 ppm within minutes 150 ppm within minutes 400 ppm within 4 15 minutes UL Standard 2034 Table 38.1 PPM and response times are based upon accumulation of carboxyhemoglobin of 10% in the body

6 Types of Home CO Monitors Two different types of sensors available to the public: Biomimetic Biometic utilizes a gel cell and mimics synthetic hemoglobin LED reads the darkening of the gel to an alarm point May several hours to clear after alarm is reached Semi Conductor Semiconductors use a gas sensor Sensor is imbedded in a ceramic disc that attracts O² and CO Humidity can increase the sensitivity of the semiconductor

7 Common installation problems Too close to Cooking and heating appliances Common areas of multi-family dwellings Very cold or very hot areas Dead air space Locations where the detector is obstructed Path of turbulent air from a ceiling fan Locations where they accumulate grease and spots Invented rooms with cleaning supplies and other Contaminants On switched electrical outlets

8 Return to Service Home Edition Biometic Self testing Trouble alarm - one short beep per minute If not sounding - push test button If sounding - remove sensor pack May need as little as 1 hour Or may need 2 to 48 hours Semiconductor detectors Self testing Trouble alarm - one short beep per minute If not sounding - push test button If sounding - push test button Detector should reset itself, if not detector needs to be replaced

9 Fire Department CO Response

10 The numbers and CO alarms Listed are the 2012 Carbon Monoxide incidents in the majority of Summit County CO Call Type RWB LDFR Calls w/co present Calls due to Malfunction 8 22 Detector activation/no CO incidents involved CO present within an occupied space Far more incidents made us and the public question CO monitors and their accuracy. This false sense of there s nothing wrong can be fatal given the right circumstances

11 Fire Departments CO Detectors All three fire depts. utilize the Rae Systems QRAE II monitors on all 1 st due engines Batt Chief cars carry the same monitor w/ the wand attachment This 4 gas monitor gives readings for CO ppm, H²S ppm, O² %, and LEL Each are measured almost instantly and accurately giving a view of hazards As long as the maintenance and calibration are to date Some apparatus also carry CO only detectors

12 Fire Department response considerations Assessing response capabilities Does your detection equipment work? Is the calibration in date on your 3 gas monitor? MCI thought process Can your company handle a CO poisoned family of 6?? Do you know the MCI protocols? Know what you will order before its dropped in your lap! Have the ideas in mind including Triage, Treatment, Transport Additional FD resources Additional SCAS resources

13 Responding To CO Detector Activation Receiving the Call Dispatch Considerations Dispatchers attempt to verify if the detector is a smoke or a CO detector. If it is a CO detector, dispatchers will try to determine if any people at the scene are exhibiting symptoms of CO poisoning. EMS Considerations Only known medical emergencies will get a medical response Otherwise dispatcher will only notify fire to monitor and determine what further action is needed Thus, SCAS is not always dispatched especially if the homeowner called about an unknown alarm

14 Fire Department Objectives (Taken from Joint LDFR/RWB SOPS) Engine crew will provide an investigation of premises and monitor for CO. If no medical emergency is anticipated, an Engine should respond to provide an investigation of premises and monitor for CO. Upon arrival, crews shall verify the type of detector sounding the alarm If it is a CO detector alarm, crews shall determine if anyone is exhibiting any symptoms of CO poisoning. If so, immediately evacuate and ventilate the premises Request an EMS response based upon patient number Provide medical treatment for CO exposure Then begin investigative procedure. If no one exhibits any symptoms of CO poisoning; it will not be necessary to evacuate or ventilate the premises unless a CO monitor detects a level of over 9 ppm. All personnel shall use SCBA in any atmosphere that is in excess of 100 ppm of CO.

15 Carbon Monoxide Investigation Checklist Companies responding to a CO alarm must use a CO Checklist This checklist is vital in assisting with the investigation of legitimate CO alarms The check list helps assure that no CO producing device is inadvertently overlooked The list also is designed to assist in establishing the cause and origin of the CO It will also be used to develop a tracking system for CO incidents

16 Notice of finding Guidelines Notice of dangerous situation - carbon monoxide alarm >10 ppm Advise the homeowner to check the CO detector for proper function. If it activates again call 911. <10 But >100 ppm Advise the homeowner of the detection of potentially dangerous levels of CO. The recommendations are Over 100 ppm that you leave your home immediately. It is not safe until repairs are made Advise homeowner that our sensors have detected potentially lethal amounts of CO in their home. They must remain out of their home until the source has been identified and shut down, and the home has been well ventilated. Important to discuss the report with the occupant and Advise them of action necessary to mitigate the CO problem One Copy for occupant, one to records, and one for station Copy

17 CO Findings Documentation Once CO is found, the documentation process must begin. We document our findings to: Track patterns of CO in an occupancy Properly inform occupants of our findings on scene Create a record for the possibility of future events possibility of future events Although paperwork indicates RWB, all three fire departments utilize the same Notice of Findings

18 Review of your QRAE II Detector Review the following terms on your own: On/Off Back Light Zero Calibration Calibration HCTC) Field Test/Bump Test Response Time Operation the Meter Clearing the Peaks

19 Summary CO: The Invisible Danger CO Detectors, Operating Principles, Installation Limits Responding To CO Detector Activation Review of Policy Review of Your Carbon Monoxide Detector