ᐅ Risk of Carbon Monoxide from Pellets (Storage and Combustion Area) in Living Spaces?

Carbon monoxide (CO) can form in the storage area due to natural decomposition processes. Therefore, the storage should be well ventilated.

If these points are observed and there are no significant leaks, I would not be concerned about neighboring apartments. CO will not diffuse through a solid wall as long as extremely high concentrations do not develop inside the storage. It is important to ensure that the storage is truly separated from the living spaces (no pipes or ducts running through the walls…). Then, in my opinion, a CO detector in the storage and near the boiler is sufficient. I see no reason for CO detectors inside the apartments. Please discuss the details with the chimney sweep or local inspector.

Dust explosions are also possible in the storage area, so it’s better not to enter with open flames or lights.

Elina schrieb:
There are regulations for heating systems (which require ventilation openings) and exhaust gas measurements carried out by the chimney sweep. There are limit values for the amount of CO allowed. Why does CO form in the pellet storage if nothing is burning there?

This is not about a malfunction or anything similar with the burner that would release gases.
It is about the pellets in the storage releasing CO (and other gases like aldehydes). This happens due to the special manufacturing process of the pellets, which triggers chemical reactions. This is easy to find on Google, and the pellet industry now also acknowledges it.

Bieber0815 schrieb:
CO certainly does not diffuse through a sealed wall, as long as no extremely high concentrations build up inside the storage.

Well, this is now questionable or even partly proven that CO can indeed diffuse through ceilings and walls. So, it apparently does not necessarily require cracks, holes, or similar.

Khullx1 schrieb:
It is now questionable or has even been partially proven that CO does indeed diffuse through ceilings and walls.

That may be true, and I don’t deny it, but what partial pressure difference is needed for that? In my opinion, nothing diffuses through a wall of typical modern construction from a well-ventilated storage room. If a concerning concentration of CO develops in the storage area, the alarm will sound. At the latest then, ventilation must be initiated. If that is not possible (for whatever reason), neighboring residents can still be woken up.

*Storage room in the basement, with a living space above on the ground floor. Between them, from bottom to top: reinforced concrete ceiling, insulation, vapor barrier, stapled panel, heated screed, floor covering. CO transfer through this "wall" will not be measurable as long as there is no pressurized CO source in the basement.*

I also believe that if any diffusion occurs, the concentration will be very low, and I would be more concerned about the neighbor’s microwaves 😉

Best regards in brief