Carbon Monoxide Hazards.

As a result of the cold weather, people keep their doors and windows closed to keep their apartments warm. It triggers carbon monoxide poisoning cases among people in the buildings where chimneys don’t work properly during the maintenance of gas appliances.
The main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning are below:
- Lack of air holes in gas hot water shower and bathrooms (it is important to control a person taking a shower and frequent inquiries);
- Using heater appliances which does not meet standards and being handmade;
- Lack of sufficient air for fuel combustion;
- Not working properly of flue pipes and chimneys;
- Being in a poor condition of oven and smoke extractor;
- Cracks and defects in the oven and pipes.
Carbon monoxide poisoning also occurs when there is a fire, chimney flap of stove closes early, when the car engine is running in the garage, indoors, and when staying in a closed cabin for a long time. In apartments, the hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning most often occurs while heating the house with heater appliances or in the bathroom. Carbonyl Flue, also known as carbon monoxide is formed as a result of incomplete combustion of fuel products. This gas is not tasted because of being odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide is more dangerous indoors. Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs while breathing. Hemoglobin to be combined normally with oxygen begins to combine with carbon monoxide this time and forms carboxyhemoglobin and blood can’t carry oxygen anymore. This process is 300 times greater than its affinity for oxygen. A person begins choking due to the lack of oxygen. Carbon monoxide entering the lungs spreads through all body during borrowed seconds because the human heart consumes more than 200 ml of blood per stroke.
The specialists must review ovens, inspect the maintenance and utility of chimneys to protect the carbon monoxide poisoning before the winter season starts; only then appliance should be operated. Each domestic gas heater installed must meet the standards; its safety devices must be in a good condition and safety rules should be completely followed while using. So, it is prohibited to use defective ovens and chimneys. The ventilation system must work, air hole must be open. Vent pipe must be installed in the bathroom and accordingly ventilation holes must be on the door. Chimneys must be swept twice a year. Flue pipes must be positioned above 70 cm of the roof of a building. There should be no cracks in the body of the stoves and flue pipes, flue pipes should be cleaned before starting of winter season. When the chimney does not work properly, not only carbon monoxide poisoning, but also fire occurs. It is known that in most cases, oily layer forms on the filter of chimneys of hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools and other institutions with kitchen. These fumes accumulate in the vertical and horizontal channels of the chimneys and on the engines. These fumes are highly flammable. A sudden spark causes a very large fire and spreads rapidly. Temperature in chimney reaches 800°C during the fire. This heat ignites other combustible material located near the chimneys and fire spreads quickly throughout the building.
Absolutely seek advice with specialists of local gas departments while installing oven and water heater in the apartment. Don’t use the services of novices in this field. Don’t buy ovens without flue pipes. If there is no pipe and the room is not regularly ventilated, carbon monoxide is formed. A person with carbon monoxide poisoning usually can’t help himself/herself.
The following safety rules must be conformed to avoid the accidents such as explosion, fire, poisoning which cause human loss and lesion due to improper use of gas appliances:
- It is prohibited to use non-standard gas appliances in the facilities and residential areas to avoid emergency cases such as fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning!
- The safety devices of each gas appliance must be always in a good condition and safety rules should be completely followed while using!
- Removal of devices, units and parts from gas appliances for certain purposes must not be allowed. Replacement and repair of gas appliances must be only carried out by the gas company!
- It is prohibited to switch the light on, operate electrical devices, smoke, use open flame without full ensure that will not leak when entering if there is nobody home!
- The specialists must review ovens, clean all oven chimneys before starting of winter season!
- It is prohibited to sleep by keeping gas appliances in working condition; to trust children and patients and leave the house!
- It is strictly prohibited to use rubber hoses while transmitting gas to gas appliances!
- It is not allowed to use open flame in order to check gas leaking from gas pipes and appliances. Only soap solution must be used!
- The air hole of window must be open while using gas appliances. Gas appliances must be absolutely turned off and valves of gas pipes must be closed while leaving home!
- Never leave working gas appliances unattended, avoid extremely heating of ovens!
- The water level of boilers, kettles, etc. on the kitchen gas stoves in the kitchen must be such that the water does not overflow while boiling. Because boiling water may overflow and turn furnace off. It causes gas leaking and explosion may occur!
Do not forget! Failure to clean chimneys is life threatening!
Fire Propaganda Department of the MES SFSS