ᐅ Chimney and Carbon Monoxide

Created on: 1 Feb 2017 10:28
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HilfeHilfe
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HilfeHilfe
1 Feb 2017 10:28
Hello,

I was shocked by the news about the six young people who died.

I’m wondering if something like this could happen in our case, since we have a newly built house with a fireplace and small children.

We don’t have any mechanical ventilation or similar systems; the fireplace is only used for cozy atmosphere and occasional heating. When it gets too warm, we tilt the window open.

We burn regular wood. Could something like this happen to us as well? The local chimney sweep included a note on the last invoice that he is happy to inform about and install carbon monoxide detectors.

What do you think about these concerns?
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Alex85
1 Feb 2017 10:35
In my experience, this kind of thing rarely happens, and when it does, it’s usually outside of normal use or due to very poor common sense (heating an apartment with a charcoal grill; grilling with charcoal in a closed garage, etc.).
A CO2 monitor costs about 40-50€ (45-56 USD). Just buy one, hang it up, and you’re set.
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toxicmolotof
1 Feb 2017 10:45
Moreover, the problem with MVHR occurs only to a limited extent.
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hbf12
1 Feb 2017 13:02
Alex85 schrieb:
A CO2 monitor

Do not confuse CO2 with CO.
andimann1 Feb 2017 13:31
Hello,
toxicmolotow schrieb:
Also, the issue with room air dependent (RAD) systems only arises to a limited extent.

I would have basically said the same, but that’s probably not correct. CO leakage from the stove means that something is already malfunctioning and going seriously wrong. In other words, this happens with a faulty stove or a defective flue pipe. I wouldn’t rely on RAD systems in that case.

It really seems to happen incredibly fast. I always assumed that with six young, fit people, one would collapse first and the others would still be able to act. Unfortunately, it turned out differently... Horrifying!

Such incidents don’t seem to be that rare after all. In reports, I have read about approximately 300 CO fatalities per year.

To the original poster:
40-50 € (about 45-55 USD) for a CO alarm is definitely not wasted money. If it lets you sleep more soundly... We don’t have our stove yet, but I will definitely order a CO detector when it arrives.

Best regards,
Andreas
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ypg
1 Feb 2017 13:34
We will now also place an order.
This topic has always been put on the back burner for us – but after this media report, the time has come!