Smoke & CO Testing
Protect your loved ones from a silent & invisible killer
What are the Dangers of Smoke & CO?
Inhalation of carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) can be potentially fatal as you cannot smell or taste it. Fire smoke contains carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide. You can have carbon monoxide enter your lungs without realising. When the CO enters your bloodstream it mixes with haemoglobin and prevents oxygen being carried around your body. Prolonged exposure to CO can lead to symptoms like vertigo, brain damage, seizures and in the worse cases; death.
Who is at Risk from CO Poisoning?
Nobody is immune to carbon monoxide poisoning and people are often unaware of CO being present in their home or business until sadly it’s too late. CO poisoning is particularly dangerous to babies, pregnant women, those with heart disease and certainly those with respiratory problems. Taking the dangers of smoke and carbon monoxide seriously can save your own life and that of others. Each year, dozens of people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in this country alone.
How Does a Building Become a CO Risk?
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of certain fuels which do not complete the combustion process. Such fuels may be gas, wood, oil and coal – all which are still common in homes. The real risk is that carbon monoxide has no smell or taste and can enter the lungs and bloodstream long before you realise you’re in danger. Mild CO poisoning symptoms can be similar to that of the flu, although you won’t likely experience a high temperature.
Rooms with little or no ventilation may become a huge risk if there was any form of carbon monoxide present. Always ensure you have some sort of ventilation in rooms where fuel is being burned, particularly kitchens, rooms with burners or locations that have boilers and central heating systems.
How do I Prevent a CO Leak?
The best way to avoid any sort of contact with carbon monoxide is to properly maintain systems which extract harmful gases. It’s vitally important that you have smoke and CO detectors installed around your house or building. These detectors will alert you of carbon monoxide leaks and fires long before you’d naturally become aware of the danger.
It’s important that you don’t guess where to place smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. Speak to a professional and schedule a thorough inspection of the property and gain advice on maintaining safety for yourself and those around you. Qualified property inspectors can advise you on the best equipment and when or why you replace existing modules.
Schedule a Smoke & CO Alarm Assessment?