We come into contact with low levels of carbon monoxide every day in the form of exhaust fumes from vehicles, cigarette smoke and paint fumes but these impact the environment more than they impact us.
What concerns us is the unavoidable production of carbon monoxide in our homes as we burn carbon based fuels such as wood and coal. However, the risks from this potentially toxic gas can be managed and reduced through measures such as sufficient air supply, appropriate ventilation and a correctly sealed flue system. Produced during the combustion process due to a lack of oxygen, CO is not only colourless but odourless.
Therefore it is a building regulation to have a CO Alarm or Detector installed in the room as a last line of protection and at Glowing Embers we supply the well known brands SleepSafe and Honeywell. Illustrated below is the correct location for your alarm for both walls and ceilings:
In theory, if you have sourced the correct components, installed them in compliance with the Building Regulations and had your system signed off, the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning should not ever be an issue for you but the following is some simple advice should you be concerned:
1 – Early signs of poisoning can include tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea / vomiting and shortness of breath. You may also experience a rise in blood pressure.
2 – At the first signs of smoke pouring back out of your stove you must open all doors and windows and then vacate the room immediately.
3 – Evacuate the house entirely if it leaks into other rooms and do not re-enter the room or property until the fire has been extinguished.