Carbon monoxide

Overview

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless and tasteless toxic gas that can be produced from a number of sources such as exhaust from a car or woodstove, or natural gas-fired equipment that is not functioning properly or appropriately ventilated. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it; but carbon monoxide can cause serious harm.

When properly installed, maintained and vented, any CO produced by appliances will be vented outside the home.

The only residences not affected by the regulation are those that are all electric and have no attached garages or fireplaces. But if there is outside equipment, such as large generators or machinery, that vents outside your windows or doors, you may also wish to consider installing a CO alarm in your home to further protect your safety.

Read more about CO alarm installation from Ontario's Carbon Monoxide Safety website..

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds

If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning:

• Ensure all people and pets leave the home
• Call 911
• Seek medical attention immediately
• Once everyone is safe, call Utilities Kingston at 613-546-1181; or
• Call a heating contractor registered with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) for an inspection (there will be a charge for this inspection). Find a registered contractor by calling the TSSA at 1-877-682-TSSA (8772), or by visiting TSSAs Find a Contractor page.

If your CO alarm sounds, and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its "end-of-life" before calling 9-1-1. (Low battery and end-of-life beeps are normally different than the alarm.  If you’re not 100 per cent sure why the alarm is activating, dial 9-1-1 and wait outside.)

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

If CO is inhaled, it depletes the amount of oxygen in the red blood cells, resulting in specific symptoms. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.

Depending on the amount inhaled and the length of exposure, symptoms may include the following:

• Low concentration: slight headache and/or shortage of breath during moderate physical activity.
• Higher concentration: severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, weakness, vision and hearing impairment, collapse or fainting during exertion, loss of muscle control and/or drowsiness.
• Extreme concentration: unconsciousness, brain damage or death.

Signs that carbon monoxide may be present in your home:

Other than the audible alarm of your CO alarm, there are other signs:

• Stuffy, stale or smelly air (e.g., the smell of something over-heating or burning).
• Dripping water condensation on your windows. (This is a reliable sign if you’ve already taken steps to reduce moisture production in your home. It could also mean your humidifier is set too high.)
• Backdraft or soot from a fireplace, chimney or other fuel burning equipment.
• A yellow burner flame, instead of the normal clear blue flame. This does not apply to natural gas fireplaces in which the yellow flame is intentional for a pleasing appearance.
• A pilot light that keeps going out or the smell of gases in your home. Even though carbon monoxide is odourless, it is sometimes accompanied by odour-bearing exhaust gases.

If you detect these signs, consider whether you need to call 9-1-1 and obtaining medical assistance. At minimum, turn off the equipment and contact a TSSA-registered heating contractor.

Prevent carbon monoxide in your home

Natural gas has a safety record that’s second to none and there are strict codes that govern the installation and operation of natural gas equipment and appliances. While well-maintained equipment can operate safely for many years, wear and malfunctions can increase the risk of CO entering your home. You can reduce this risk by:

• Help prevent CO in your home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually, by a registered contractor. Find a registered contractor by calling the TSSA at 1-877-682-TSSA (8772), or by visiting TSSA’s Find a Contractor.
• Ensure your outdoor exhaust outlets for furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, and clothes dryers are clear of ice, snow, birds’ nests, or other potential obstructions so that carbon monoxide emitted by these appliances does not spill and build up in your home or business.
• Install CO alarms on every level of your home to warn you of the presence of CO and regularly check the batteries.
• Never put a portable generator indoors, and when using it outdoors make sure it’s well away from your home’s windows or doors (and your neighbours’) because of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.
• Gas and charcoal barbeques should only be used outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Never use barbeques inside garages, even if the garage doors are open.
• Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Open the flu before using a fireplace, for adequate ventilation.
• Never run a vehicle or other fuelled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.
• Check your chimney too. If your chimney is plugged, you could breathe the exhaust from a furnace, fireplace, or woodstove. Stay healthy by checking your chimney in the following manner:
  
  • Examine the exterior brickwork from top to bottom. Make sure that there are no chalky deposits, moisture stains, cracks, or loose mortar.
  • Empty the clean-out pit at the base of your chimney. Check its contents for mortar, brick, birds’ nests, dead birds or stones. (The clean-out pit is located either inside or outside the house. Look for a metal frame with a door (if masonry chimney), or a “Y” or “T” fitting with a clean out cap installed at the chimney connection for the furnace vent (if manufactured metal chimney). The clean-out door and the cap should be kept closed at all times.)
  • Check for chimney obstructions by positioning a mirror in the clean-out pit, and moving it to find the angle that will allow you to see daylight clearly. (If you have an offset chimney, call a chimney specialist. If your appliances use a metal vent, the exterior portion of vent above the roof should be properly maintained. A coat of latex paint will protect it from weather and rusting.)

If you see any evidence of a deteriorating chimney, contact a qualified chimney contractor for assistance.