SOP 209.11 CARBON MONOXIDE RESPONSE
PURPOSE:
This
establishes a procedure for Ennis Fire Department's response to reports of
carbon monoxide (CO) incidents.
GENERAL:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is
an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is deadly. It is a by-product of a fuel burning
process. Many appliances such as
furnaces, kitchen stoves, hot water heaters, automobiles, and etc. can produce
carbon monoxide. When a faulty or
unusual condition exists, carbon monoxide may be vented into areas where people
are present.
Carbon monoxide
poisoning may be difficult to diagnose, its symptoms are similar to the flu,
which may include headache, nausea, fatigue and dizzy spells.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has
established a maximum safe working level for carbon monoxide at 35 parts per
million (PPM) over an eight (8) hour period in the general workplace. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established that residential
levels are not to exceed nine (9) Parts per Million (PPM) over an eight (8)
hour average.
TXU Gas will not
respond to all carbon monoxide (CO) investigations. They will respond only if
the initial call received by them indicates that someone is ill or if the fire
department request that they respond to the scene.
RESPONSE:
The dispatcher shall
in all reports of an alarm call, attempt to verify if the alarm that is
sounding is a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector. If the alarm is from a smoke detector, a
structural fire assignment shall be dispatched.
When a call is
received and dispatched to the fire department, which indicates a carbon
monoxide incident, the fire department will respond. The engine at central station shall make the
response, or an auxiliary unit shall respond with the CO/O2 deficiency meter.
ARRIVAL AT SCENE:
Upon arrival at the
incident scene, the officer shall use the CO meter and perform an initial CO
level survey. If the CO level is above
35 PPM, the officer shall have departmental personnel enter with protective
clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Departmental personnel shall initiate a
primary search or verify that all occupants are outside of the structure. Rescue and treatment of occupants is the
first priority.
If
occupants are showing signs of CO exposure, have EMS personnel treat them per
protocols and transport.
INVESTIGATION SURVEY:
The meter shall be used to survey
the premises and verify the presence of carbon monoxide. The officer shall
perform this survey, even if the residential CO detector is in the low battery
mode.
If a carbon monoxide
detector is in the alarm mode the following procedures will be performed:
If anyone is exhibiting any
symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately evacuate and ventilate the
premises.
- Perform EMS treatment
and transport
- Investigate for cause
- Call for TXU Gas
response
If
no one exhibits any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning the following shall
apply:
A reading of 9 PPM or less does not require the evacuation of the
premises.
- Recommend the occupant check their CO detector
per manufacturer recommendations.
- Attempt to reset detector.
- Inform occupants that if detector activates
again, call 911.
Any reading above 9 PPM but less than 100 PPM shall
be considered above normal, and potentially dangerous to the occupants
- Recommend that all occupants leave the premises
and begin ventilation.
- Determine the source of the CO and shut down the
appliance.
- Once the premises
have been reduced to a safe level of CO, the premises may be occupied at
the discretion of the occupant.
- Attempt to reset the detector
- inform occupants that
if the detector activates again, call 911.
- Inform the occupants of the action that has taken place and that
TXU Gas has been requested to respond.
Reading of 100 PPM or greater
1.
Order the
occupants to leave the premises immediately.
2.
Determine the source
of the carbon monoxide and shut down the appliance.
3.
Shut off the gas
and call for TXU Gas to respond to the scene.
4.
Call for
situation the Building Inspector and notify him of the situation.
5. Ventilate the structure and
reduce CO to a safe level.
6.
Once the carbon
monoxide level is safe the structure may be occupied at the discretion of the
occupant.
7. Notify the occupant that request for gas service re-connect will be approved after repairs have been completed by a licensed plumber or licensed mechanical contractor.
8.
Inform the
occupants of the action that has taken place and that TXU Gas has been
requested to respond.
DOCUMENTATION:
All Ennis Fire Department field reports shall be completed on carbon
monoxide responses. This includes Fire
and EMS field reports. In addition to
the above reports, a "Carbon Monoxide Detector Activation Notice of
Findings" shall be completed. This
notice shall be completed and given to the owner/occupant. All PPM readings
shall be added to your field report for department documentation. A sample of the "Notice of Findings
Report" is included in this procedure on page 4 of 5.
CHECKLIST FOR CARBON MONOXIDE RESPONSES:
A checklist for carbon
monoxide responses has been included in this procedure on page 5 of 5. This checklist is to be completed and
included with the reports submitted for this incident.
CARBON
MONOXIDE DETECTOR ACTIVATION NOTICE OF FINDINGS
Carbon
Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is DEADLY.
It is the by-product of a fuel burning process. It can cause symptoms that can mimic flu,
unconsciousness and even death. Many
appliances around the home are capable of producing Carbon Monoxide when faulty
or unusual conditions exist. Since the source may be transient in nature, the
source may not always be detectable.
The
Ennis Fire Department responded to investigate a possible Carbon Monoxide
problem at: Time:_____ hours.
Location:____________________________________________________
on ____/___/200__.
CARBON MONOXIDE ٱ was ٱ was not found by our
instruments. Our instruments found the
highest interior level of CO to be ____ PPM.
WHAT
DOES THIS READING MEAN ?
9 PPM or less: Our instruments did not detect elevated levels at this time. However, this does not mean that higher levels did not exist prior our arrival nor that higher levels will not accumulate after our departure. Check your carbon monoxide detector per manufacturer recommendations, and replace or reset the detector as directed by the manufacturer.
More than 9 PPM: Our instruments have detected potentially dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide. We recommend
that you leave this building immediately.
We feel that it is unsafe to reoccupy this building until repairs are
made and your detector is replaced or reset as directed by the manufacturer.
100 PPM or greater: We have
detected a potentially lethal level of carbon monoxide in your home. Leave your building immediately. It is not safe until repairs are made or the
source is found and corrected. Gas to your building has been cut and will not
be approved for reconnect until repairs have been made by a licensed
technician. Replace or reset your detector as directed by the manufacturer. Carbon monoxide affects individuals
differently depending on size, age and medical history of the occupants. Therefore, families with young children or
members with medical conditions, or aged individuals should take extra
precautions in the event that carbon monoxide is detected.
Issued
By: _______________________________ Badge# ________ on
____/____/200__.
Received By:
____________________________________________ on
____/____/200__.
CHECKLIST
FOR CARBON MONOXIDE RESPONSE INVESTIGATIONS
LOCATION:
_____________________________ DATE: ____/____/200__
INCIDENT
#: _________
QUICK CHECKLIST SYMPTOMS:
Yes No
Headache
ٱ ٱ
Fatigue
ٱ ٱ
Nausea
ٱ ٱ
Dizziness
ٱ ٱ
Confusion ٱ ٱ
Are
any occupants of the residence feeling ill ? ٱ
Yes ٱ No
if yes, do they feel better when away from the house ? ٱ Yes ٱ
No
Since the detector's alarm went off, what have you done ?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Shut-off carbon monoxide
sources? ٱ Yes ٱ No
If yes, which one ?
________________________________________________
Let in fresh air ? ٱ Yes ٱ
No
If yes, how and for
how long ? ____________________________
PPM
ACCEPTABLE ٱ Yes ٱ No PPM
Reading: _______
LOCATION
CHECKLIST
Location PPM
Chimney: Clogged flue, blocked
opening ________ _____
Fireplace: Gas or Wood ________ _____
Portable Heater: Emissions ________ _____
Gas Refrigerator: ________ _____
Kitchen Stove: ________ _____
Cook-top Vent: ________ _____
Gas Dryer: ________ _____
Water Heater: Chimney
pipe ________ _____
Furnace: Flue, pipe, heat
exchanger ________ _____
Barbecue Grill: In enclosed area ________ _____
Car Garage: Car started or ran recently ________ _____
Operating Fireplace: Possible downdraft ________ _____
Carbon monoxide Detector: Make:
_____________________________________
Model:
_____________________________________
Serial #:
____________________________________