How can carbon monoxide poisoning be prevented?
There are three primary means to prevent CO poisoning. • Prevent carbon monoxide from being produced by proper design, installation, and maintenance of gas appliances. • Vent combustion products outdoors. • Install warning devices (carbon monoxide detectors). What about dilution (for example, having a “loose” house)? Dilution with outside air is an inefficient method of removing pollutants. For toxins such as CO providing more outside air while CO is still being produced does not solve the problem and is dangerous. Even with high volumes of dilution air the air quality is degraded when pollutants are dumped into a space. Providing high volumes of dilution air greatly increases heating and cooling costs. Removing toxic materials at the source is safer and more effective. A properly burning gas flame does not produce excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, so it is critical that the burner be properly adjusted. Electronic carbon monoxide instruments available to heating contractors make it
