Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Jim · 08-12-2007, 09:49 PM

All cold weather campers, please don't forget to check your Carbon Monoxide detectors. They do have a finite life and need renewing every few years. If you have not got one, they cost around £25 but are definitely worth having. When you check your detectors take the time to check and the vents and flues are not obstructed. In addition have your heaters, boilers Fridges and gennies serviced regularly.

Known as the silent killer, Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas produced by incomplete burning of fuel, such as propane, petrol, natural gas, wood and charcoal. If we inhale enough of it we will die. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, breathing difficulty and confusion -- but they are general enough to be confused with the flu so be aware of this.

pappajohn · 08-12-2007, 09:51 PM

A very timely reminder Jim.
check mine regularly.

656 · 09-12-2007, 08:37 AM

Our detector actually went off when we were out in the 'van a few weeks ago. I turned off the heater, opened the door and all the windows then set out to find out what was wrong. The mushroom vent on the top of the flue had been knocked off when we went under some trees, causing a "blow back" of fumes by the wind. A trip to Pioneer Caravans at Eye Peterborough resulted in a replacement FOC. I fitted it and then tried the heater. After about an hour or so the detector stayed silent. I consider that a CO2 detector a must for every motorhome and think they should be fitted as standard. As Jim said "Known as the silent killer, Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas". If you dont have one fitted, go and get one before it's too late.

fjmike · 09-12-2007, 11:46 AM

For those who don't have a carbon monoxide detector B&Q are doing a portable model for about £15 at the moment. Money well spent if you ask me

Jim · 09-12-2007, 12:13 PM

I just looked and they can be bought from our very own shop

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Diabalo · 09-12-2007, 02:41 PM

Bloody ell, never thought about having one in me van, always had one in me boat.
Looks like me bird will be getting an extra present for christmas

Thanks for the heads up Jim

Enodreven · 09-12-2007, 04:43 PM

Hi,

Totally agree with the orginal post,

The only thing i would say is reverse what has been said and make sure your appliances are checked and serviced first, PLEASE DON'T buy a Carbon monoxide detector and then wait until that goes off before having your appliances checked as that can be to late especially if the detector fails ? because you forget to replace the batteries or took them out for something else ? as people do, that's obviously assuming its battery powered.

Also read the instructions on the placement of the detector if you are going to buy one ?? they need to be sited correctly

And if you are using one at home or on a boat etc. please remember that Carbon Monoxide comes from the incomplete combustion [burning wrongly] of any fossil fuel, so make sure you check your wood burners, coal fires, and your gas applainces as they all need servicing regularly.

hope that helps

kijana · 10-12-2007, 09:51 AM

When we first started out on our travels in the RV we were woken in the wee small hours by our gas alarm going off. I got up and checked the cooker, couldn't find anything wrong, so calmed the dog and went back to bed.

Then the alarm went off again. This time I found the cause.

Janna, our Golden Retriever, being frightened of her new lifestyle, had come into the bedroom to sleep near us. She'd curled up on the floor in the corner, with her bum resting against the gas detector.

So it didn't take too long to figure out the source of the gas emissions! Still, at least we know our alarm works. . .

Janna is available for hire as an alarm tester should anyone need this service

Enodreven · 10-12-2007, 10:30 AM

Hi,

Just thought it may be worth mentioning that there are in general 3 types of alarm [and a 4th that we won't mention] which need to be positioned correctly as otherwise they may not detect the situation correctly and could end up being useless ?

A general rule

Smoke alarm in general these should be fitted at a high level,

Gas [LPG] alarm and again generally this should be fitted at a low level [if it was for household gas methane then it would be at a high level]

CO [carbon monoxide] alarm and this again generally should be fitted at a high level,

Please don't take my word on these positions as they are really very very important so please read the instructions.

They do make combined alarms I'm not sure that they are made for all 3 items above but if you are short for space then it may be worth checking, but please remember the positioning?

There are a number of different types of Smoke alarms each with differing sensitivities which are specifically targeted towards certain circumstances so its really worth checking which ones suits your situation, before you buy, albeit it is worth saying that the sealed for life battery units that have a timed out function [button] for a few minutes, which then automatically resets are the ones I would chose. In certain areas you can arrange for a free inspection of your home through the fire brigade and in some areas they actually give away free smoke detectors ? check your local area

I am not an expert on this subject so it reallyis worth reading the instructions that come with the Alarm/Detectors

Hope this helps

Quote:

Originally Posted by kijana

When we first started out on our travels in the RV we were woken in the wee small hours by our gas alarm going off. I got up and checked the cooker, couldn't find anything wrong, so calmed the dog and went back to bed.

Then the alarm went off again. This time I found the cause.

Janna, our Golden Retriever, being frightened of her new lifestyle, had come into the bedroom to sleep near us. She'd curled up on the floor in the corner, with her bum resting against the gas detector.

So it didn't take too long to figure out the source of the gas emissions! Still, at least we know our alarm works. . .

Janna is available for hire as an alarm tester should anyone need this service

Gonewiththewind · 24-12-2007, 08:03 PM

quote"CO [carbon monoxide] alarm and this again generally should be fitted at a high level, "

Cheers mate I was just about to ask that very question.

Thanks again and a Very Merry Cristmas To you and yours, and all Readers.