CARBON MONOXIDE
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Carbon monoxide (CO) testing is included in our gas heating servicing. CO can be produced in large quantities if your heater does not completely burn the gas it uses. This can happen for a number of reasons but the most common causes are faults (e.g. cracked heat exchanger), lack of servicing or a blocked flue. |
Carbon Monoxide - 'The Silent Killer'
Energy Safe Victoria has advised that a cracked heat exchanger is non-compliant and the unit has to be shut down.
The following was published by the Plumbing Industry Commission in the Winter 2012 edition of The Registered Plumber:
With the onset of winter Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) are once again commencing a campaign to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and the need for consumers to have their gas appliances serviced regularly.
Anyone servicing gas appliances must be licensed or registered with the PIC in Type A Appliance Servicing, which is a specialised class of plumbing work. When conducting servicing work on gas appliances, practitioners must ensure the appliances are installed correctly and are safe and fit for use.
Visible warning signs that a problem is present include:
A calibrated CO analyser should be used to detect the presence of CO prior to commencing and on completion of gas servicing work. To assist practitioners when carrying out CO spillage testing of appliances, ESV has issued Gas Information Sheet No. 37&38 for guidance.
For further information please contact ESV technical information line on 1800 652 563 or PIC technical advice line on 1300 815 127
The following was published by the Plumbing Industry Commission in the Winter 2012 edition of The Registered Plumber:
With the onset of winter Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) and the Plumbing Industry Commission (PIC) are once again commencing a campaign to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and the need for consumers to have their gas appliances serviced regularly.
Anyone servicing gas appliances must be licensed or registered with the PIC in Type A Appliance Servicing, which is a specialised class of plumbing work. When conducting servicing work on gas appliances, practitioners must ensure the appliances are installed correctly and are safe and fit for use.
Visible warning signs that a problem is present include:
- Soot or discolouration around the gas appliance;
- Yellow flame;
- Heater goes out after a short time for no apparent reason;
- Lack of ventilation;
- Incorrect or blocked flueways or cowls; and
- Flue in poor condition or installed with insufficient flue terminal clearances
A calibrated CO analyser should be used to detect the presence of CO prior to commencing and on completion of gas servicing work. To assist practitioners when carrying out CO spillage testing of appliances, ESV has issued Gas Information Sheet No. 37&38 for guidance.
For further information please contact ESV technical information line on 1800 652 563 or PIC technical advice line on 1300 815 127
The Warning Signs of CO Poisoning
Early CO poisoning symptoms include: tiredness, shortness of breath, mild headaches, nausea
As CO poisoning gets worse, people may experience: severe headaches, dizziness, weakness & sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
Visible warning signs that a problem is present include: soot or discolouration around the gas appliance, yellow flame, heater goes out after a short time for no apparent reason, lack of ventilation.
CO is a colourless & odourless gas which can be fatal.
As CO poisoning gets worse, people may experience: severe headaches, dizziness, weakness & sleepiness, nausea and vomiting.
Visible warning signs that a problem is present include: soot or discolouration around the gas appliance, yellow flame, heater goes out after a short time for no apparent reason, lack of ventilation.
CO is a colourless & odourless gas which can be fatal.