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ARTICLE
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas formed by incomplete combustion. When placed in a Conex box, break room, or print shack without adequate ventilation the results of carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. With cold weather season, propane space heaters are a common sight on projects. They can be used safely and effectively but precautions must be taken. When connected to a 20 lb. bottle, the fuel does not burn clean due to the lack of pressure from the small bottle. This particular model required a 100 lb. minimum bottle of fuel to operate correctly. When placed in a Conex with a small propane bottle (below what was required by manufacturer), the carbon monoxide levels exceeded the permissible limit exposure. Best Practices Follow manufacturer's requirements for fuel bottle size. Follow manufacturer's requirements for ventilation. Proper venting is needed to maintain sustainable oxygen and carbon monoxide levels. Where natural means of fresh air supply is inadequate, mechanical ventilation should be provided. Clean the burner often. Do not use an oversized heater for the area. Install U-L or IAS listed carbon monoxide detector in areas where they will be used. One cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is from unvented heaters. Incomplete combustion caused by lack of air has been virtually eliminated in newer heaters by use of Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS). Unfortunately, ODS do not respond to incomplete combustion caused by improper gas pressure, or dust, dirt or rust on the burner.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas formed by incomplete combustion. When placed in a Conex box, break room, or print shack without adequate ventilation the results of carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
With cold weather season, propane space heaters are a common sight on projects. They can be used safely and effectively but precautions must be taken. When connected to a 20 lb. bottle, the fuel does not burn clean due to the lack of pressure from the small bottle. This particular model required a 100 lb. minimum bottle of fuel to operate correctly. When placed in a Conex with a small propane bottle (below what was required by manufacturer), the carbon monoxide levels exceeded the permissible limit exposure. Best Practices
One cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is from unvented heaters. Incomplete combustion caused by lack of air has been virtually eliminated in newer heaters by use of Oxygen Depletion Sensors (ODS). Unfortunately, ODS do not respond to incomplete combustion caused by improper gas pressure, or dust, dirt or rust on the burner.