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The Importance of Using A Combustion Analyzer Properly

Simply owning a combustion analyzer is not enough to keep you safe. You must also understand how to use it properly. Many people operate combustion analyzers without truly understanding what the readings indicate. Before using the equipment, learn how to interpret the different readings and make any necessary adjustments that will maintain the analyzer and prevent false readings.

Carbon monoxide is a common household danger. Quickly finding, diagnosing, and fixing a carbon monoxide leak will save lives. However, these steps demand training. Learning how to use acombustion detector accurately can save lives.

The manufacturer of your combustion detector is the obvious resource for understanding how readings should be interpreted. These instructions, however, are not always very specific, particularly when you have to make adjustments or correct any problems. There are too many variables for manufacturers to address. For example, they cannot explain the differences in oil-fired and gas-fired equipment.

Anyone who wants to gain expertise in the use of combustion analyzers should look into taking a course with an experienced professional. Research different CO trainers in your area to find someone who understands how different analyzers operate and has actual field experience. The ability to repair malfunctioning combustion analyzers is something else you might want to consider learning.

Each year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills 500 people in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 10,000 are made ill from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many of these people suffer permanent damage to their health.

Numerous household appliances can release carbon monoxide. This gas can be found anywhere, and there is no safe level. Exposure can occur from furnaces, water heaters, boilers, cars, lawnmowers, grilling equipment, space heaters, generators, wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, gas-burning stoves or fireplaces, gas ranges and self-cleaning ovens. There needs to be a minimum of one carbon monoxide detector in every home with electric appliances, just in case the dangerous gas does build up.

Everyone needs to be familiar with the symptoms associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Chronic symptoms that affect multiple members of a household could indicate long-term CO exposure. Common symptoms include: headache, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, memory loss, chest pain, accelerated heart beat, fast breathing, shortness of breath, along with changes in vision, hearing, touch, taste or smell. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should use a combustion analyzer to find the source of the carbon monoxide leak.
Even low levels of carbon monoxide are dangerous. Over time, physical and mental health problems have been linked to exposure to CO levels as low as 10 ppm. Carbon monoxide levels that rise to 35 ppm or more require firefighters to put on oxygen masks.
It is recommended that any home with children, pregnant women, older individuals or people with chronic health conditions use low-level carbon monoxide monitors. Small amounts of carbon monoxide are so dangerous that 80 percent of the appliances gas companies “red-tag” have CO levels of 10 ppm or higher, according to the Southern Gas Association’s recent survey.
Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning causes too many deaths and permanent health problems in the United States. Fortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by properly using combustion analyzers to test household appliances.