What else sets off a CO detector?

Steve D._2

I don't know if this is still allowed, but the propellant in these cans about 9 years ago was butane. I worked for a company where someone was cleaning a rotary machining center with aerosol cleaner. He could only reach a few sections of the machine as he cleaned so he would hit the start button to advance to the next few stations. The starter contacts were in the lowest bay ot the machine. The butane, which is heavier than air, followed the oil drain passages down to the bottom of the machine where the contacts were. Luckily the mechanic only needed a change of boxers - only the covers blew off the machine, about the size of a water heater but 7 feet tall, but he was not injured. The company switched to pump bottles instead of aerosol.

Steve

Patchogue Phil_28

What else sets off a CO detector?

I have a CO detector in my utility room... has the oil fired boiler and the washer/dryer. 16'x6'. Boiler at one end, detector at the other.

Tonight the detector chirped with readings from 56 to 65.

I had just sprayed some Lysol spray in the room an hour earlier.

I aired out the place.

Went out and I bought a new detector and put in same place. Made the boiler kick on and run awhile. Nothing on the new digital display.

So, did the Lysol aerosol confuse the CO detector?

BTW, old unit I do not see brand name but has UL listing and model # CO920.

Bob W._4

We had one go off after gluing down some carpet.

JB_8

CO

Dust

Weezbo

there are lots of combinations...

of chemicals in the air this day and age especially in new homes.

Acouple years ago i thought well time for spring cleaning so i mixed up some lysol listerien some chlorox some other soap and started cleaning the shower walls... wellls,....started getting a bit woozy *~/:) oh o! so i wheeled outta the bathroom and feeling real Not Good :)called the poison control center apparently simple cleaning stuff around the house can put the woop on you if you arent careful,maybe its the same thing with the aerosol cans and air fresheners hard to just Know that sorta thing..

Rely_2

washer

chemicals in the boiler room. Does the boiler use inside air or is it piped to outside air.Most equipment manufactures do not like there boiler eating the air in a laundry room it reduces life on boiler

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Guy_6

Weezbo

Your story sounds similar to how I nearly fell out of an attic: Apparently if you don't COMPLETELY draw down A/C lines before re-brazing them you create Phosgene gas.

WOOOOOO....

Patchogue Phil_28

combustion air

Right above the boiler the ceiling is open maybe 3' x 3', into the side attic/eaves which has vents from outside. Also, this utility room is on slab and there is a foundation vent from the crawlspace of the house.

Plenty of air.

In "The Plan" is a from outside combustion air setup. And also better air sealing so I do not lose boiler heat.


I would think that the worst offending washer chemical would be bleach. How can that be damaging to a boiler? It's not like anyone sprays gallons of bleach all over the utility room.

rob

Dude, let me introduce you the inert dry nitrogen tank and its pal, the regulator. Fact is you should be brazing with lines that have been inerted with dry nitrogen. This will prevent oxides from forming inside the copper tube and and hazardous gases. Guess you change a lot of TXV's and wonder why the suction pressure is so low and the superheat is so high.............? What'd he say???

Greg Swob

CO detectors

I have heard of some going off whenever batteries are being charged. Such as car, marine batteries- I understand a little Hydrogen is emitted during charging and that can fool some detectors.

Patchogue Phil_28

Lysol

So what is in Lysol spray that can trick the CO detector? alcohol?

S Ebels

The sad fact is............

Nearly all the CO detectors.......... in fact all of them that I know of that are found in typical retail locations are not specific to CO. I don't have any info on the CO Experts detector but I am betting it will be at the very least, more specific than an ordinary detector found in HD, Lowes or the like.

To date, I have seen the "garden variety" detectors alarm with hairspray, oil base and latex paint, new carpet, any type glue you can think of, solvents, detergents of all kinds, ammonia, new vinyl floor tile (self stick), solvents like paint thinnner, acetone, lacquer etc. etc.

Occasionaly, the cheapo detectors even alarm on CO!!!

S Ebels

Probably

Both the propellant and the actual contents of the Lysol which would contain perfumes, sanitizers and detergents.

Alan R. Mercurio_3

Phil, here's some information from Bacharach that may also answer your question?
********************************


Another important thing to know about this generation of CO detector is its’ (its) response criteria for non-alarm status when selected vapors and gases are present in specific concentrations. This Selectivity Test (Table 38.1 – Gas and vapor concentrations) with these substances are intended to represent air contaminants likely to be found in the vicinity of an installed detector.

Methane 500 PPM

Butan 300 PPM

Heptane 500 PPM

Ethyl Acetate 200 PPM

Isopropyl Alcohol 200 PPM

Carbon Dioxide 1000 PPM



Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

www.oiltechtalk.com