Calgary fire crews respond to multiple carbon monoxide incidents

Calgary fire crews have been very busy today responding to multiple carbon monoxide (CO) incidents, some of which resulted and large evacuations. Starting right after midnight, a family in the northeast was alerted to CO in their home by their working alarm. They called 9-1-1 and followed the dispatcher's instructions to evacuate their family of four along with their three pets. Firefighters arrived and used their own monitors to assess the levels of CO in the home. The CFD Hazardous Materials team (Haz Mat) was also called to the scene. ATCO was dispatched to assess the natural gas appliances within the home. No injuries were reported and the incident was resolved after being left in the care of ATCO staff.

Shortly before 9:00 this morning, fire crews were dispatched to a school on Maryvale Drive N.E. for reports of CO. Haz Mat and ATCO were also dispatched to this location. The school was evacuated as a precaution until the source was found and the building was made safe to reenter. At one point, CO readings in the boiler room went up to 710 ppm. The problem was found to be related to the boiler which will require repairs. No injuries were reported and the students were allowed back in when the air quality was deemed safe.

At 10:35 this morning, fire crews including the Haz Mat team responded to a business in the south east industrial area (4300 block of 54 Avenue S.E.) for reports of possible CO build up. Employees of an attached business reported feeling sick as well as stating there was a smell of natural gas in the area. This was of significant concern as the neigbouring business was a welding shop. Firefighters discovered 60 parts per million (ppm) and found the cause to be a gas stove that did not have proper venting. ATCO was called to the scene to inspect the gas appliances. Firefighters advised the business to have the ventilation installed by a certified professional. The fire captain also reported this incident to a CFD safety codes officer.

Shortly before 11:00, fire crews responded to a residential building on Meredith Road N.E. for reports of a gas smell and suspected levels of CO. Fire crews, including the Haz Mat team and ATCO attended and the source was traced to a rooftop HVAC unit. That specific unit was shut off and the building was ventilated. Building management was left in charge of scheduling repairs. No injuries were reported.

At 11:30, fire crews responded to a 48 unit residential building where several residents' CO alarms were activating and one resident wisely decided to call 9-1-1. Upon arrival, firefighters found 200 ppm in the lobby and CO readings as dangerously high as 520 ppm in hallways and common areas of the building. Firefighters immediately activated the building's fire alarm system to initiate an evacuation. Haz Mat and ATCO were also called to the scene. The source of the CO buildup was found to be a vent that was blocked with leaves and other debris which then iced over, creating this dangerous situation. Once the blockage was removed, the building was ventilated and the air quality was deemed safe for residents to be allowed back inside.

As the weather starts bringing colder temperatures and furnaces as well as other gas appliances start to work harder, Calgary fire crews see an increase in carbon monoxide calls. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that has no colour, smell, or taste. Long-term exposure can cause sickness or lead to death.

The Calgary Fire Department wants you to have working CO alarms in your home, to warn you in case of exposure. Working CO alarms provide the only warning of dangerous CO gases in your home. Most commonly, the main source of CO gas in your home is your furnace, but of course you should monitor any household appliances which run on fossil fuels, like natural gas and propane.

If you are exposed to CO gas, you may get flu-like symptoms such as:

headaches
nausea
dizziness
confusion
fatigue
lose consciousness.

Other warning signs that you might have CO gas in your house include:

stale or stuffy air
a lot of moisture on your windows and walls
soot build-up around appliances and vents
or a pilot light that keeps going out.

If you or anyone in your house experiences the symptoms of CO poisoning or your CO alarm goes off, you should leave your house and call 911. Do not go back into the house until the Fire Department tells you it is safe to do so.

For context, CO levels of 800 ppm will result in symptoms in approximately 20 minutes and can be fatal within one hour. 1,600 ppm of CO can be fatal within 25-30 minutes.

Where should alarms be installed?

Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, including the basement. The most important location for a working CO alarm is in or near your bedrooms.

Try sleeping with your bedroom doors closed and have a family member test your CO alarm to make sure everyone in your home can hear it and that they wake-up at the sound of the alarm. If you can't hear it, then install the CO alarms inside bedrooms so that you will hear it when sleeping.

Is their regular maintenance and testing?

Test CO alarms once a month by pressing the alarm’s test button to hear if the alarm will sound. If your alarm uses batteries, be sure to replace the batteries once a year. Some manufacturers make alarms that have a 10-year lithium battery that doesn't require annual replacement.

Do they expire and when should I replace them?

CO alarms do expire and their lifespan depends on the manufacturer. They can last between 5-10 years so check the alarm's packaging for more information. If you no longer have the packaging, you should be able to find the information by searching your CO alarm online. Both battery operated and hardwired CO alarms need to be replaced when they expire.

How to prevent CO build-up in your home

Yearly tips:

Every year check all the fuel-burning appliances in your house; make sure they are working properly and used properly.
Make sure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected by professionals every year before you start to use them, usually when the weather gets cold.

Indoor tips:

Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
Make sure to open the flue of your fireplace before you use it.
Never run a car, vehicle or other motor inside a garage, even if the garage door is open. Always drive your car or vehicle out of the garage right after starting it.

Outdoor tips:

Make sure your vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other fuel-burning appliances are always clear of snow and other debris.
Only use gas and charcoal barbeques outdoors, away from all doors, windows, vents and other building openings. Never use barbeques inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
Only use portable fuel-burning generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings.
Make sure portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to their instructions.
Check the outside and inside walls of your house for cracks, holes, separations, and check for rust, stains or carbon deposits on heating ducts or pipes.
Check the flame on fuel-burning appliances – it should be clear blue with occasional yellow tips.

For more information on carbon monoxide and safety in and around your home, please visit calgary.ca/fire and gas.atco.com

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