Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Home Safety
 

The consequences of a carbon monoxide or gas leak at home can be disastrous.

Every year there are thousands of deaths and injuries in houses all over the world that could have been avoided with the installation of easy to use and cost effective gas detection unit.


The SF450EN is an easy to use and reliable self-contained Carbon Monoxide alarm and is designed for use in all domestic environments such as homes, caravans and boats.

The latest electrochemical cell technology ensures complete accuracy and reliability giving a 6 year guaranteed life under normal operating conditions. It is officially approved and Kite marked to the stringent performance requirements of EN50291:2001 - the European Standard for domestic Carbon Monoxide alarms.

No maintenance is required for the full 6.5 year life of the alarm, with no sensors or any parts to replace.

For a data sheet on this product, please click here

Carbon Monoxide detectors are available at our Drimoleague showroom or by mail order direct from The Woodburning Centre. For mail order customers anywhere in Ireland we can offer these life-saving alarms at €45 each including post and packaging.

To order yours, please click here

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO), commonly termed “The Silent Killer” is a highly poisonous gas produced by any fossil fuel burning appliance (e.g., gas, coal, diesel, oil, wood…etc) and has no smell, taste or colour.

It can leak from flues and cooking and heating appliances when they have been poorly maintained or simply break down. Inadequate ventilation or blocked flues are frequently to blame but even adverse weather conditions have been the reason behind leaks that proved fatal. Leaks can be caused by many potential sources and are not always directly related to an appliance malfunction.

Modern housing insulation techniques, such as double-glazed windows, can exaggerate a problem by effectively creating an airtight environment.


What does it do?

When we breathe in air, vital oxygen is absorbed by the blood and transported around our body. Blood contains a special substance called haemoglobin which is used to carry the oxygen.

Unfortunately, haemoglobin will carry carbon monoxide in preference to oxygen.  When we breathe in air containing carbon monoxide, the carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen and in effect, we suffocate from the inside.

It can kill quickly when it leaks in large quantities or can build up over a period of time, initially causing symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness.

These are often incorrectly diagnosed by the medical profession as flu. Ultimately, if the brain does not get sufficient oxygen, carbon monoxide will cause death.

How can you tell if someone is suffering from CO poisoning?

It is very difficult to diagnose CO poisoning because of its similarity to other illnesses such as flu. However, asking yourself the following questions may help:

Are others in the home/boat/caravan feeling ill as well?

When you leave the home/boat/caravan for a period of time, do you feel any better?

If you think you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, you should visit your local GP and ask for a Carboxyhaemoglobin Test.

What should you do if the CO alarm goes off?

• Open doors & windows to ventilate the area
  
  
• Where possible turn off all fuelled appliances and stop using them
  
  
• Evacuate the area leaving all doors & window open

• Get medical help immediately for anyone suffering from CO poisoning
  
  
• Contact your local fuel supplier and explain the problem
  
  
• Do not return to the area until the CO alarm has stopped
  
  
• Do not use the appliances again until they have been checked by an expert and any faults are located and repaired
  
  
  
  Call The Woodburning Centre on: 028 32643