Finally!! A decent artcile about CO detectors!

Mark Hunt

A test that causes concern about the current UL-2034 standard.

<A HREF=http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1204/191439.html>CO alarm test</a>

Mark H

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=238&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

don_57

CO Article

Mark,

Good find,

the media is most likely the only way to "refocus"
attention on this issue.

would rather see "technology and common sense" prevail.

any other statement may start to "wax political".

decorum and courtesty to the site precludes you, me and
others from doing so.

fight the good fight.

cheers, don

Bill_14

Too Bad

they don't tell us which units are good and which are not effective. The public relates more to manufacturer make and model number information.

Bill

Mark Hunt

Bill


The point was that UL-2034 prevents alarms from sounding at lower levels. It needs to be changed.

There are only two low level alarms that I know of, "CO experts" and the NCI unit.

Any alarm that complies with UL-2034 offers protection for healthy, middle-age adults. If you read the packaging on ANY of the UL listed units, they tell you this.

Infants, children, elderly and people with poor health ARE NOT protected by UL-2034.

Mark H



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

Bill_14

I felt that the article

should have gone on to rate all the detectors so everyone would know that the Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, etc. brands are inferior. Even those sold at most HVACR supply houses are inferior.

Most people do not understand what the UL-2034 even means.

Bill

Mark Hunt

You are correct


about most people not knowing what UL-2034 means.

That would include, reporters, firemen, doctors, PHVAC contractors etc.......

Once you explain it though, people see how useless it is.

Mark H

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

Rudy

Here's another one

Check this article out, geeze Mark, you were right about the Google alert feature, lots of amazing stuff.

http://www.10news.com/investigations/3963868/detail.html

I just fired off an email to the good Dr. Leikin who endorses UL's 2034 approval listing (and also happens to be "The UL's chief toxicology advisor):

Jerrold, you should be ashamed of yourself for your comments in the Channel 10 news report reassuring folks regarding the level of protection provided by UL 2034 Carbon Monoxide alarms:

"Dr. Jerrold Leikin of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare said a survey of 4,500 carbon monoxide emergencies (between the years 1994 and 1998) showed their were no deaths when a working carbon monoxide detector was in the house. He said the evidence was so overwhelming that in Chicago there is an ordinance that requires carbon monoxide detectors in many homes."

First off, you and I both know that the UL requirements were changed at the end of the time period you mention (1998) which resulted in dumbing them down even further.

Secondly, you state that no deaths were reported when a "working" CO detector was in the house. According to the 1999 GRI report on the "Performance and Reliability" of CO detectors, 38% of the 90 alarms they tested failed, brand new, right out of the box..... They also commented that the units with digital displays provided "seemingly random numbers". That is pathetic.

I have personally been involved in two incidents in the past year where deaths have occurred in homes with UL 2034 approved CO alarms which never sounded. One of which resulted in the death of a 14 year old girl.

Frankly, I wouldn't allow a UL approved CO alarm in my own home and am aghast when I see folks like yourself endorsing these products.

You need to take a more serious look at these issues.

Respectfully,
Rudy Leatherman

I probably won't hear back from the good Doctor, but at least I've tried to raise his awareness a bit....

Mark Hunt

Rudy


I sent an e-mail to the reporter from that one.

We WILL win this.

I guarantee it!

Thanks for all that you do!!!!!!!!!

Mark H

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

Larry (from OSHA)

Rudy

thanks for voicing your most learned perspective to this doctor. I think that most people, even those that seemingly should know better, advocate the reliance on the standards that prevail. Those that become "talking heads" don't necessarily have the knowledge that you would expect. Just the various letters after their names (md, phd, pe, etc.) Correct information in the hands of those that can affect change is what it will take. Most definitely a slow process as we can see.

Thank you.

Larry (from OSHA)

Rudy

Mark

Hey man, we are on 'a roll'. I just fired off an email to Ross with ABC 7, we'll see what happens.

Larry, if there is ever anything I can help you out with in this great state of Ohio (I'm down in Athens - the only 'blue' county out of 88 in the recent elections!!), don't hesitate to give me a call (740-594-0033).

John R. Hall

I'm in

Let me know what The News can do. We'll have the CO "rescue" story from Dave Yates' tech -- Sean Smith -- on Page One of the 12/13 issue.

Yes Mark, we will WIN!

Rudy

Maybe, maybe not

It's not a matter of winning this, it's just a bunch of us will sleep better at night knowing we tried our best.

Like a buddy of mine said recently "They didn't invite me for the 'take off', but I was there for the crash landing!!"

Mark Hunt

John

Damn the torpedoes, full spead ahead!!!!!

You got "the scoop", the "Holy Grail" that all reporters long for.

"The News" will have exclusive, inside coverage of this.

For no other reason other than you actually give a damn.

You encourage me. I thank you for that!

Mark H

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

Rudy

A response from Dr. Leikin

Suprising, I got a return email from the good Doctor. He said he stands by his quote.

Even offered to discuss the issues further and gave me his phone number!!

When I have a chance to call him, I'll let you know how it turns out.