Carbon monoxide gas is a toxic and harmful lethal gas that can be produced in boiler rooms. It can leak from the boiler flue or the boiler itself, constituting a serious loss. Fortunately, this danger can be avoided by installing a carbon monoxide monitor in the boiler room, which alerts the user when the boiler starts leaking carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide monitors can also be used in industrial situations, businesses, hotels, and other boiler rooms.

Pros

Carbon monoxide can be dangerous and potentially fatal. Carbon monoxide gas detector can protect from any unintentional CO leaks.

Carbon monoxide gas detector is relatively inexpensive.

Carbon monoxide detector is readily available and can help provide early warning to a CO problem

Why do I need a Carbon Monoxide Monitor in my Boiler room?

A properly kept, efficiently operating boiler produces extremely little amounts of CO, but a badly maintained boiler can produce lethal levels.

High BTU burners in boiler rooms produce significant volumes of exhaust gases, which can quickly flood an indoor environment.

Carbon monoxide exhaust gas can leak via a few modalities which includes:

cracked heater exchange

back drafting

poor exhaust venting

poor appliance installation or maintenance

Furthermore, you may be needed to have a CO gas monitor in your boiler room as mandated by the local or state authorities.

Are Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required in Boiler Rooms?

Yes.

Both a carbon monoxide detector and interlock system are now required to be installed in boiler rooms in certain states like that adopted by Texas. Check with your state and local code if your boiler rooms must have such a carbon monoxide detector and interlock system.

Trigger alarm set point is at 50ppm aligned with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for carbon monoxide. Trigger alarm means the CO concentration at which the burners must be disabled.

What is a Carbon Monoxide Monitor?

A carbon monoxide gas monitor is a sensing device used to measure the amount of carbon monoxide in a given area. The unit measures carbon monoxide gas in air with a scale of parts per million, abbreviated as ppm.

How Long Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Last?

The majority of carbon monoxide detectors can last from 2-5 years. Special calibrations procedures may be required. To the obvious and follow manufacturer's recommendations.

Have Leaking Gases in Boiler Rooms Hurt People?

Yes, they have even killed people.

In fact, a woman in Norfolk, Virginia succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of a boiler leaking the carbon monoxide gas.