Question about carbon monoxide detector ?

GAB X P

In California, it is the law to install carbon monoxide detectors in addition to smoke detectors in a rental single family unit.
Do I have to replace the smoke detectors I have hard-wired and battery back-up with the new kind which is a combination of smoke-and-carbon monoxide ? Or, can I leave the smoke detectors there and just install the battery operated carbon monoxide ? The big reason is that I saw the new kind--combination carbon monoxide--and--smoke detectors at Home Depot, and they are $ 55.00 each. They are very expensive, therefore,can I just put the cheap kind battery operated ? Thanks

Answer
You are still required to have regular smoke detector, the carbon detector is not a replacement for the regular fire and smoke detectors whichever may apply Commercial properties are required to have all 3 vs residential properties are only smoke, and now carbon detector.

And its really not because you have a risk of carbon poisoning , unless its due to your own negligence
Like bringing your grill indoors to keep warm.Apparently in this day and age no one has learned history
of others doing stupid things and "Hey y''all" watch this was born. So because 9 people across multi states didn't have enough common sense {Its no longer taught" The federal Government made it a law which means every home in the USA rental,commercial, or otherwise, is now required to also have a carbon detector. Just so the few get a little device that says carbon detector on its case is beeping.And they can take their tiny little brain and say that was stupid and run outside call the fire department because they are ignorant . Hence the reason why your now required to have both.

And a whole bunch of new companies and even some that make regular detectors are making billions of tax free dollars on everyone else that have common sense but that's the whole gospel truth of the matter


So do not dis connect the regular fire system you have, add the carbon detector to the current system, that is the new federal rules for everyone one including home owners which are the ones that spurred the creation of the law

hope that helps
Lr

Our church furnace uses heating oil. Do we need carbon monoxide detectors?

uscgvet

Answer
Not a bad idea. Carbon monoxide detectors became required in California homes as of 2011. The trick may be to figure out exactly where to install them. Too close to the furnace might set off nuisance alarms; too far away might miss problems. Churches tend to have tall ceilings, adding to the complexity. Contact either a licensed HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning) contractor or civil engineer in your area, or try the company that makes the detectors you may wish to purchase for further information.

Just now I checked the web and found a 100% accepted answer by firefighter/EMT 'Christopher G'. He writes:

Any carbon based fuel will produce some level of carbon monoxide (CO2) when burned - oil, gas, or wood. The problem comes into play with heaters which are poorly maintained or with obstructions in the chimney. This can cause CO2 to build up to dangerous levels in a home. I want to say 30 parts per million (PPM) is safe, 30-100 will make you sick, and over 100 is potentially lethal. I've seen levels as high as 2,000 and fortunately everyone got out in time.
Source(s):
18 years as a firefighter/EMT.

I would only note that CO2 means carbon DI-oxide, not carbon Mon-oxide (CO). Below is a link to the EPA explanation of CO. Excellent bed-side reading! :)

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Is California's highest in the nation unemployment related to its highest in the nation taxburden?

Q. @Eric, I am not saying it is the rich. It is the high taxes killing jobs in California.

Answer
The unemployment rate is tied to the business climate-taxes are only part of that.

Another part is the amount of crap you have to go through to get anything done in this state. It always seems to require 42 state agencies, any one of which can say no for any reason (or for no reason).

Here's one example--I basically can no longer use my fireplace because of "bad air quality". By any actual measure, the air quality is better than it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago, but they've redefined "bad air quality" so that many more days fall into that category.

And because I have a fireplace (which I'm not allowed to use), I'm legally required to have a carbon monoxide detector in my home, in case the fire that I'm not allowed to burn causes a carbon monoxide build up. The most recent data I ran across in a short search is from 1979-1988 (when you could use your fireplace basically every day if you wanted), where it showed that non-vehicle carbon monoxide inhalation caused 270 deaths. Not per year--for the entire decade.

Nearly 1/4 of those occured in cabins or tents (where people might do something like run a kerosene heater or stove to keep warm, and didn't properly vent it). So because an average of 21 people per year died in houses from carbon monoxide (that's .00009% of the state population at the time), I'm legally required to install and test a carbon monoxide detector-in fact, I could not legally sell the house without one, and I couldn't have any sort of construction done (even something like an electric water heater our in the garage). I'm not saying it's a bad idea to have one, but to legally require it!? That's just asinine.

Is my paranoia of heaters useless?

Q. It's pretty cold for California right now (46° degrees) and my family has the heaters on. I turned the heater off in my room and kept the windows open. I'm EXTREMELY warm still, I have bundled myself up in warm clothes and blankets... I simply can't stand the idea of breathing in carbon monoxide. Or suffocating from it. I also need to breathe cool air in order to sleep (even if I'm bundled). The idea of breathing warm air.. bothers me.

Is this completely stupid?

Answer
I don't know if I would call it useful, but I certainly wouldn't call it stupid! Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and defective heaters and carbon monoxide poisoning do kill people every year. It's like being afraid of sharks. Which I am. So I don't swim in the ocean.

There's a couple of things that might help. You can get a good carbon monoxide detector at Home Depot for about $30. This would absolutely protect you. Or get an electric heater. Electric heaters don't produce carbon monoxide.

The chance of dying from a heater/carbon monoxide accident in your lifetime is 1 in 1,500,000.
The possibility of dying from a snake bite or bee sting during your lifetime is 1 in 100,000.
The chance of dying in a car accident in your lifetime is 1 in 80.

And sharks? 1 in 11 million. Yes, that's the highest odds here ... but it doesn't stop my phobia. But it's just a phobia, I don't feel any urge to swim in the ocean, and I'm perfectly healthy and happy otherwise. It's not a big deal.

You may not change this, even with the statistics, even with a CO detector, or an electric heater. Does it matter? No, not if you're not putting yourself in harm's way. Bundling is perfectly fine. Breathing cold air is perfectly fine. Or leave your door open so a little bit of the heat in the rest of the house can drift in -- it won't be too warm, but you won't be shivering either.

be well!

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Is California's highest in the nation unemployment related to its highest in the nation taxburden?

Tesla V

@Eric, I am not saying it is the rich. It is the high taxes killing jobs in California.

Answer
The unemployment rate is tied to the business climate-taxes are only part of that.

Another part is the amount of crap you have to go through to get anything done in this state. It always seems to require 42 state agencies, any one of which can say no for any reason (or for no reason).

Here's one example--I basically can no longer use my fireplace because of "bad air quality". By any actual measure, the air quality is better than it was 10, 20 or 30 years ago, but they've redefined "bad air quality" so that many more days fall into that category.

And because I have a fireplace (which I'm not allowed to use), I'm legally required to have a carbon monoxide detector in my home, in case the fire that I'm not allowed to burn causes a carbon monoxide build up. The most recent data I ran across in a short search is from 1979-1988 (when you could use your fireplace basically every day if you wanted), where it showed that non-vehicle carbon monoxide inhalation caused 270 deaths. Not per year--for the entire decade.

Nearly 1/4 of those occured in cabins or tents (where people might do something like run a kerosene heater or stove to keep warm, and didn't properly vent it). So because an average of 21 people per year died in houses from carbon monoxide (that's .00009% of the state population at the time), I'm legally required to install and test a carbon monoxide detector-in fact, I could not legally sell the house without one, and I couldn't have any sort of construction done (even something like an electric water heater our in the garage). I'm not saying it's a bad idea to have one, but to legally require it!? That's just asinine.

Is my paranoia of heaters useless?

Hal

It's pretty cold for California right now (46° degrees) and my family has the heaters on. I turned the heater off in my room and kept the windows open. I'm EXTREMELY warm still, I have bundled myself up in warm clothes and blankets... I simply can't stand the idea of breathing in carbon monoxide. Or suffocating from it. I also need to breathe cool air in order to sleep (even if I'm bundled). The idea of breathing warm air.. bothers me.

Is this completely stupid?

Answer
I don't know if I would call it useful, but I certainly wouldn't call it stupid! Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and defective heaters and carbon monoxide poisoning do kill people every year. It's like being afraid of sharks. Which I am. So I don't swim in the ocean.

There's a couple of things that might help. You can get a good carbon monoxide detector at Home Depot for about $30. This would absolutely protect you. Or get an electric heater. Electric heaters don't produce carbon monoxide.

The chance of dying from a heater/carbon monoxide accident in your lifetime is 1 in 1,500,000.
The possibility of dying from a snake bite or bee sting during your lifetime is 1 in 100,000.
The chance of dying in a car accident in your lifetime is 1 in 80.

And sharks? 1 in 11 million. Yes, that's the highest odds here ... but it doesn't stop my phobia. But it's just a phobia, I don't feel any urge to swim in the ocean, and I'm perfectly healthy and happy otherwise. It's not a big deal.

You may not change this, even with the statistics, even with a CO detector, or an electric heater. Does it matter? No, not if you're not putting yourself in harm's way. Bundling is perfectly fine. Breathing cold air is perfectly fine. Or leave your door open so a little bit of the heat in the rest of the house can drift in -- it won't be too warm, but you won't be shivering either.

be well!

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Is a landlord allowed to park in the garage if he is renting the apartment inside the garage?

carbon monoxide detectors in california image

Deanna

The exhaust pipe is literally 2ft from the door of the apt. In California. Everyday it's in and out with an SUV! No carbon monoxide detector was provided by landlord. I had to get one myself. I have 2small children in the house and I'm worried about our health. Is there a law that protects us from this?

Answer
Who has access to the garage really should be provided for in the lease; if it isn't, talk to your landlord about setting up clearer terms.

That said, unless he's idling in the garage, you don't have to be that worried about carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide detectors in apartments?

Allie

I have tried looking, but can't find the answer online. Is it illegal for my apartment complex not to have a carbon monoxide detector in my unit if I have a gas stove? I live in Virginia. Also does anybody know how long an apartment has to fix items that are wrong with the place from when I first moved in? I've lived here for 4 months and we still have a terrible bug problem. And our front door leaks and floods our kitchen any time it rains. Thanks for any advice.

Answer
here in california, it is supposedly required by new law that all rentals (including apartments) have the carbon detectors....BUT i am still waiting for my landlord to put one in =D.

contact your state's housing agency (not sure of the name but i'm pretty sure all states in the USA must have this agency). find out what your rights are as a renter. also, if you have mentioned verbally to your landlord about the issues and nothing has been fixed yet. i would submit it again in writing though (as proof). and contact your agency as well.

good luck!

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Do I need a carbon dioxide(yes "di"oxide) detector in my home per California regulations?

carbon monoxide detectors in california image

Q. Yes I mean "Di"oxide. I have a monoxide detector in my home already but the inspector came through for a final inspection and said we needed to install a dioxide as well, this seems quite pointless to me. Does anyone know anymore information about this?

Answer
I think you may be confused. Your state law requires the carbon monoxide detector. Carbon dioxide detectors are usually handheld devices used in industries such as HVAC to test the quality of air coming out of air conditioners. Appliance repair techs also use them for detecting gas leaks.

Read the following. What he may have meant is that you need to replace yours with an approved one.

http://fire.lacounty.gov/top_story_images/faq_CO.pdf

What's the difference between vented and ventless gas logs?

fap68

I have a wood-burning fireplace and would like to have gas logs installed. Any advice on whether vented or ventless gas logs are better in terms of price, upkeep, look, etc?

Answer
There are reasons to pick both, it just depends on which are important to you.

Positive Features of Vented Gas Logs:

Extremely realistic flame pattern that looks like a wood fire.
Flame is much taller than vent-free logs
Flame dances and wraps around logs like real wood.
Does not require a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector
Since the damper is open, most of the smell will go up the chimney

Negative Features of Vented Gas Logs:

Less heat than vent-free logs (probably won't heat your room)
Uses slightly more gas than vent-free logs

Positive Features of Vent-Free Gas Logs:

Much better heat output than vented gas logs
Less pollution
Slightly less gas consumption

Negative Features of Vent-Frees Gas Logs:

Since the byproduct of burning gas cleanly is water, vent-free logs will introduce excess moisture into your home which can result in mold or mildew.
You must be careful not to burn your vent-free logs for extended periods of time with windows closed, otherwise they will deplete the oxygen in your home.
If you burn your vent-free logs for more than an hour or so, you must crack open a window to allow air into your home to replace the oxygen burned by the vent-free gas logs. This will introduce cold air into the room and offset some of the heating benefits that vent-free logs claim to have.
Vent-free gas logs produce an odor that many people equate to the smell of burning kerosene. So if you have a sensitive nose, you may not be able to handle the smell and will be greatly dissatisfied with vent-free logs. On the other hand, we've heard some people who like the smell because it reminds them of their childhood days at Grandma's house.
Vent-free logs are not legal in California as well as some cities and municipalities. Please check your local regulations. Please note that it is not illegal to use Vent-free log sets if they are used with the vent open.
Vent-free gas logs are required to have an ODS (oxygen depletion system) as well as a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector.
The flame pattern with vent-free logs pails in comparison to vented logs. Because the gas must burn cleanly, the flame height is very low and most of it is blue. Also, you will find that the flame does not dance around like a real wood fire and very little of the flame actually touches the logs. The reason for this is that when the flame touches the logs, it gets cooled off and does not burn cleanly and starts to produce soot and exhaust gases.

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