apptitude test for CO

Mr. Smith

Carbon Monoxide Aptitude Test

1. The best place to take a CO test is:

a) At a supply register
b) In the basement
c) Over the burner in the flame
d) Close to a return
e) All of the above
f ) None of the above

2. Carbon monoxide has a irritating odor when present in high concentrations:

a) True
b) False

3. One of the most common causes of carbon monoxide in homes is:

a) Cracked heat exchangers
b) Inefficient equipment
c) Lack of combustion air
d) Improperly sized flues
e) All of the above
f ) None of the above

4. Looking at the flame size and color of the flame is not a good way to determine if carbon monoxide is being produced:

a) True
b) False

5. One way to check that the flue pipe on equipment is venting all the carbon monoxide and gases is to hold smoke near the draft hood and see if it is drawn in:

a) True
b) False

6. Which of the following is less likely to produce CO in a home:

a) Gas furnace or heater
b) Water heater
c) Boiler
d) Gas range
e) Oil furnace
f ) Fireplace
g) Car
h) Charcoal grill
i ) Gas clothes dryer
j ) None of these is less likely

7. Equipment that is producing deadly levels of carbon monoxide usually:

a) Have CO readings near them
b) Are okay as long as the are vented properly
c) Show signs of excessive soot
d) Are not tuned properly
e) All the above
f ) (a, c & e)
g) Not determined by any of the above

8. Installing a high efficiency furnace in a home prevents CO problems:

a) True
b) False

9. New home construction methods have almost eliminated the chance of CO poisonings:

a) True
b) False

10. Carbon monoxide levels are regulated normally in the following:
Homes
Public buildings, offices, hotels
Hospitals, nursing homes
Schools & day care buildings
Industrial plants

a) True
b) False

11. It is very easy for the medical field to determine if someone has CO poisoning:

a) True
b) False

12. The percentage of professionals knowledgeable in CO and properly equipped for CO detection and correction is:

a) 75%
b) 50%
c) 25%
d) 10%
e) 5% or less

Steamhead

From what I've seen

the answer to #12 is (e)

Pathetic, isn't it?

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Glenn Harrison_2

Hey, Mr. Smith

Where did you find that test, and the answers? That's a pretty good CO knowledge test.

SteamHead, Your unfortunately probably right, I was thinking less than 10%.

Steve Ebels

I'll take a crack at it

1. E, I test everywhere. One that should be on the list is, in the flue breeching pipe. Also every appliance should be tested.

2. B, CO has no odor or taste, however, the smell of spilling flue gas can be detected depending on conditions.

3. E. Add lack of maintenance to the list.

4. B,false.While an experienced tech can spot a problem sometimes, the only 100% way to be safe is to test with a good instrument.

5. B, false. Testing at the draft hood determines only that the chimney is exerting negative pressure at that point. The combustion chamber or heat exchanger can be totaly plugged and you would still see a draft at the hood.

6. J, anything that burns fuel of any type is capable of producing CO. CO is a byproduct of combusting anything.

7. G, I have seen equipment that exhibited both all and none of these symptoms.

8. B, False, see number 6

9. B, False. If anything they have amplified the need for testing due to the low air exchange rate caused by the tight construction.

10. B, false.

11. B, false. I have no idea how easy or not it is to check for CO in blood gas content, but the fact is that the medical field does not look for CO poisoning as a rule. I have had cases where the occupants of a home with low levels (under 40 ppm) have reported that they had experience various flu and cold like symptoms for extended periods of time. They had been to the doctor and it had not been detected or even mentioned as a possibility. When it was discovered and dealt with in their home the symptoms went away.

12. E, sadly. As far as I know, and this is what my customers have told me, we are the only service company that uses a combustion analyzer in these parts.


How'd I do Mr Smith??

Mr. Smith

here is the link....

to the site where I found the test. the answers were not on the page, but have sent them an e-mail to confirm my own answers!

http://home.att.net/~cobusters1/

Mark Eatherton1

My turn...

Being a card carrying entity of the NCI CO class, I'll take a stab at it!

1. As soon as you enter the premisis. Then as far as appliances are concerned, "It depends" You've got to take the course before you'll know for sure.

2. False, but, the spillage of products of combustion is generally, but not always, accompanied by flue products which do carry aldehides, which can be deteceted by the mucuous glands and olfactory senses.

3. G, the incomplete combustion of carbonacious materials. It could be candles, it could be cars.

4. True. If you're not testing, your just guessing, and gambling with lives...

5. B, true, for THAT point in time. It can change in a HEART BEAT. Come on fellas there are MUCH better ways to test for draft than using smoke. Is the draft adequate? Can it be influenced by other mechanical equipment residing in the same home?

6. False. ANYTHING that can burn WILL produce CO.

7. H., Can only be found by people testing for it, which should (and probably will be) required in the near future. Buck up cowboy. It's time to buy a good tester.

8. B., false. So long as it is IN the house, it has potential.

9. False. In fact if anything, they have compounded the problem. As soon as the homeowner feels cold air coming down those silly silver pipes in the basement and stuffs them with pillows, sweat shirts, Tampons (I kid you not), and you have no source for combustion air, it's GOT you.

10. False. There are some "Guidelines", but there is no consensus among paraprofessionals about what is a safe level of exposure. I personally think there is NO safe level of carbonmonoxide ANYWHERE. THe only safe CO reading in an inhabitable area is NO CO.

11. True, IF they'd test for it. "Oh, you've got a virus", or "Were you drinking last night??" Kinda reminds me of the arguements about Legionella. If you don't test. how will you know? One random blood test determined that 90% of the people randomly tested showed exposrue to the bacteria necessary to promote Legionella. Did ya ever wonder how many people have been exposed to CO? I'll bet you it's 100%.

12. Unfortunately, I think it is E. But there's good news on the horizon! In the back index of the UMC, there are instructions for doing CO tests. Generally, when things like this pop up in the index, it will be MANDATORY in the next round. Like I said before, get ready to buck up cowboy...

Not sure what THEIR answers are, but if it raises awareness as to the toll this deadly poison takes, it IS worth it.

If you're not testing, you're just guessing...

ME