Potential Sources Of Co In The Home - First Alert AC10-500 User Manual

Potential Sources of CO in the Home

Fuel-Burning Appliances:
range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.
Damaged or Insufficient Venting:
pipe or flue, or cracked heat exchanger, blocked or clogged chimney opening.
Improper Use of Appliance/Device:
(like a garage or screened porch).
Transient CO Problems:
conditions and other special circumstances. The following conditions can result in transient CO situations:
1. Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel appliances caused by outdoor conditions such as:
Wind direction and/or velocity, including high, gusty winds. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air
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with extended periods between cycles).
Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
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Several appliances running at the same time competing for limited fresh air.
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Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.
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Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations.
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2. Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven, fireplace).
3.
Temperature inversions, which can trap exhaust close to the ground.
4. Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.
These conditions are dangerous because they can trap exhaust in your home. Since these conditions can come
and go, they are also hard to recreate during a CO investigation.
Like portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace, gas kitchen
Corroded or disconnected water heater vent pipe, leaking chimney
Operating a barbecue grill or vehicle in an enclosed area
"Transient" or on-again-off-again CO problems can be caused by outdoor
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