You may have heard of carbon monoxide detectors for your home, but your business also needs them along with regular inspections. Why? Because without them, you could expose yourself and your workforce to a silent killer. Let’s look at what carbon monoxide does to human bodies, then discuss how to test for carbon monoxide and install a commercial carbon monoxide detector.
Key Concepts
This post covers the following topics:
- How carbon monoxide affects people
- How to find out if you have carbon monoxide in your building
- What in your building could release it
- How to tell if your detectors work properly
Whether A&G Piping provides carbon monoxide testing
How Does Carbon Monoxide Affect People?
Carbon monoxide (CO) prevents blood from carrying oxygen to your vital organs. This leads to carbon monoxide poisoning, which causes different side effects based on the CO concentration in the air. These side effects correspond to CO concentration percentages in the following ways:
- 10%: No discernible symptoms
- 15%: Mild headaches
- 25%: Serious headaches and nausea
- 45%: Unconsciousness
- 50%: Death
CO-induced headaches and nausea can be alleviated with oxygen and fresh air. However, CO is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, so you can’t sense whether it’s around you. Also, carbon monoxide is lighter than air (only slightly), so you can’t feel it in the air either. That’s why you need a carbon monoxide detector and periodic inspections.
How Do You Know When You Have CO in Your Building?
Carbon monoxide detectors let you know when CO is present in your building. These detectors have carbon monoxide alarms that alert you when the air is not safe to breathe. They also have digital display screens to provide readings of CO levels. If your detectors work properly, they let you know when there’s carbon monoxide before it harms you or your building’s occupants.
Where Does CO Come From?
Carbon monoxide often comes from fuel-burning appliances, including:
- Gas appliances
- Burners
- Stoves
- Water heaters
- Non-electric fueled heating systems
If you have any of these in your commercial building, you need CO detectors to protect you and your workforce from carbon monoxide poisoning.
How Do You Know If Your Building’s CO Detector Works?
Contact your mechanical contractor and ask them to test your carbon monoxide detectors during their HVAC maintenance visits. They can ensure the detectors work properly. They might press the test button on your detector if it has one, or they may examine the inside. Overall, it’s best for a professional to check and test your CO detectors. They have the necessary experience to make sure your detectors run effectively.
Does A&G Services Provide Carbon Monoxide Inspections?
Yes, we do. We use a variety of tools to inspect the carbon monoxide levels in your building and test your CO detectors. Our services guarantee that you’ll always know if CO is in your building. You may not be able to feel CO because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air, but technology can sense it and help you stay safe. We also use our CO gas detector tools to ensure your fuel-burning and gas appliances don’t emit carbon monoxide that harms your employees.
Check Your Facility for Carbon Monoxide With Us
When was the last time you had your building inspected for carbon monoxide? If you can’t remember, it’s time to inspect your facility again. Reach out to A&G Services to schedule a carbon monoxide inspection. We check your detectors and the air in your facility, so you can keep your workforce safe and healthy as they perform their jobs. We’re always ready to help.
