Carbon Monoxide Levels In Furnace Exhaust

Steps to reduce exposure to carbon monoxide it is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted.

Carbon monoxide levels in furnace exhaust.

Carbon monoxide co an odorless colorless gas which can cause sudden illness and death is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Unfortunately many people are injured or killed from exposure to toxic levels of carbon monoxide that are traced back to a malfunctioning combustion appliance. If this were to happen it could cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home s air. Maximum allowable outdoor concentration for one hour period in any year epa ashrae 40 ppm.

Earlier onset of exercise induced angina hbco 4 96 who 13. For a number of different reasons your furnace can develop a crack in its heat exchanger or flue pipes. Cdc works with national state local and other partners to raise awareness about co poisoning and to monitor co related illness and death in the u s. The current ansi z21 47 standard 1998 requires that an air free flue gas sample of co not exceed a maximum of 400 ppm 0 04 percent when a furnace vent is either partially or completely blocked.

When all systems are operating normally that toxic gas goes harmlessly up the flue. The pipe that is turn upwards should be the exhaust the pipe turned downwards should be the combustion air intake. 21 percent increase in cardiorespiratory complaints kurt 1978. Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.

Most gas burning furnaces normally produce carbon monoxide as a part of their operation. Below are some steps you can take to prevent carbon monoxide leaks in your furnace. Use your cellphone to check for obstructions in side wall furnace vent pipes. A nest or clog in either the fresh air or the combustion side can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Typical concentration in flue gases chimney of a properly operating furnace or water heater. Greiner unpublished 27 ppm. The average steady state concentration of co in the chamber increased as the firing rate increased. In high levels carbon monoxide can be a very serious health hazard in some cases even deadly.