Too Many Carbon Monoxide Deaths.

There is a need for gas appliance checks, due to the fact that too many people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas arising from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. In a domestic setting, sources of CO include gas heaters (with and without flues), gas stoves, wood or charcoal heaters, tobacco smoke, and infiltration of car exhaust from attached garages.

Emissions in enclosed and unventilated domestic spaces can, and do, cause fatalities and hospitalisations.

Many heaters we use to heat our homes work by combusting gas. When gas is burned it releases carbon monoxide, as well as other gases, and if these are not flued to the outside of the home (a pipe or other mechanism to exhaust the smoke and gases to the outside of the home) or if the heater is faulty or old, and there is insufficient ventilation of the home, these gases can build up inside the home to hazardous levels.

Symptoms of CO poisoning can be mistaken for the flu, and include dizziness, headaches, malaise and nausea. Potentially susceptible groups include the elderly, people with health conditions, children, pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Of concern is that CO concentrations in indoor environments can rise relatively quickly and, given it’s an odourless gas, elevated levels have caused many accidental deaths in Australia. These deaths have usually been associated with exposure to emissions from malfunctioning gas appliances or inadequate ventilation of rooms and unflued gas heating systems.

Deaths have occurred in NSW, Victoria, WA, SA and QLD. And although reporting of fatalities associated with CO poisoning is reasonably accurate, there are also non-fatal poisoning events that are difficult to quantify due to inadequate reporting.

Multiple incidents of CO poisoning have also occurred after outdoor heating sources have been used in indoor environments. Examples include the use of barbecue coals used indoors to heat apartments.

Master Plumbers, the plumbing industry association, strongly supports a call for phasing out old-technology open-flued heaters along with consultation with industry to improve servicing compliance, a public awareness campaign on the dangers of carbon monoxide and ongoing training for plumbing professionals.

Master Plumbers CEO Peter Daly stated “All gas appliances have the potential to produce deadly carbon monoxide if they are not regularly serviced and maintained correctly.  Master Plumbers has been highlighting the need for mandated servicing for many years.”

Maintaining and checking your gas appliances is something that should be done yearly, by fully trained professionals. Heaters, hot water units, stoves and gas ovens can all pose a risk.

Here at Plumbspec we pride ourselves in our training and regularly checking for new industry standards. Our technicians are fully trained professionals and regularly perform safety checks as well as installs and maintenance.

Why not book in today for a Checkup?

Click Here for more information about PlumbSpec or call 0417 555 325