Calgary Fire Department responds to carbon monoxide call in south east

At approximately 3 a.m.. on December 31st, Calgary fire crews were called to a condominium apartment building on Bannister Road S.E.. for reports of carbon monoxide (CO). On arrival fire crews found high CO levels in the hallway of the building which upon investigation by firefighters, the source of the CO was found to be a faulty heating unit located on the roof of the building. Fire crews shut this unit off and proceeded to ventilate the hallways. The apartment units use an individual heating system separate from that used in the hallways, which allowed fire crews to protect the residents in their units. Firefighters monitored individual apartments as they continued to ventilate the structure. There were no injuries reported and AHS units on scene assessed residents for CO exposure. The management company has been contacted to deal with the source of the CO. 

The Calgary Fire Department reminds citizens of the dangers of Carbon  Monoxide  (CO) which is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-irritating gas that can be deadly.

CO  is  formed  from  the incomplete combustion of common fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, coal, wood, charcoal  and  kerosene  as  well  as  from  the  burning  of  almost  any other combustible material. Common sources of CO in the home are:

• Burning  a  wood  fire  without  opening  a  window
• Clogged  or  blocked  fireplace  or  furnace chimney
• Corroded  or  disconnected  water  heater  vent  connector  pipe
• Leaving  a  vehicle  running in a garage, even with the garage door open
• Blocked  fresh  air  intakes  (leaves, snow or ice,  bird nests or other debris)

If someone in your home is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the house immediately and call 911 from a phone outside  your home (a neighbour’s house or a cell phone).

For more information on carbon monoxide, please visit  www.calgary.ca/fire  

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