C-102 Carbon Monoxide Incidents

Question 1

Purpose

Answer 1

A. To identify and safely mitigate incidents involving carbon monoxide (CO) when released or potentially released within the confines of a building, structure, or other enclosed area.

B. To identify when it is permissible to allow members of the public, emergency personnel, etc. to occupy the space without protective equipment.

Question 2

Background

Carbon monoxide (CO/UN1016) is an odorless, colorless, flammable poison gas produced as a byproduct of ____ with an auto-ignition temperature of approximately 1292 degrees Fahrenheit. CO gas should be presumed to be present if ____

Answer 2

• incomplete combustion
• a combustion engine or other CO producing equipment is utilized intentionally or by accident inside of a building, structure, or other enclosed area, or any instance where incomplete combustion has taken place (i.e. building fires).

Question 3

Background

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 140 people die each year from unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide associated with consumer products. Consumers die when they improperly use ____. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff are aware, through police, medical examiner and news reports of at least 32 CO deaths related to portable generators from October 1 through December 31, 2006.

Answer 3

• gas generators, charcoal grills, and fuel burning camping heaters and stoves inside their homes or in other enclosed or partially enclosed spaces during power outages. They also die when furnaces that have not been professionally and annually inspected leak CO

Question 4

Background

When a person breathes in CO, the CO combines with ____ in the blood to form poisonous ____. The amount of COHb in a person’s blood is expressed as ____. A measurement of ____ COHb or greater is a confirmation of CO poisoning.

Answer 4

• oxygen
• carboxyhemoglobin (COHb)
• a percentage
• 10%

Question 5

Background

D. CO poisoning can occur when exposed to:

Answer 5

1. 70 ppm CO for slightly more than three hours.
2. 150 ppm CO for 50 minutes.
3. 400 ppm CO for 15 minutes.

Question 6

Background

E. These benchmarks are built into industry standards for CO alarms.

Answer 6

1. A CO alarm must sound at exposures predicted to reach 10% COHb in heavily exercising individuals.
2. A CO alarm cannot sound with exposed to 30 ppm for fewer than thirty days or at 70 ppm for less than one hour.

Question 7

Background

F. Keeping a person’s COHb below 10% is recognized as ____

Answer 7

a method of protecting healthy adults against the harmful effects of CO.

Question 8

Guidelines

When responding to CO type incidents (automatic CO alarms or when there is a suspected presence of CO), atmospheric monitoring will be performed by ____

Answer 8

an available component of the Hazardous Materials Team as determined by the Incident Commander.

1. The Hazardous Materials Team shall respond to reports of CO incidents as a supplement to primary responding units.

Question 9

Guidelines

Full personal protective equipment (PPE), including SCBA, shall be utilized until ____

Answer 9

atmospheric monitoring determines that the hazard has been cleared to acceptable and permissible levels and an enhanced level of protection is no longer required.

Question 10

Guidelines

During the salvage and overhaul functions following a fire incident, ____

Answer 10

the heightened awareness of fire fighter safety will be maintained with the same level of intensity as the incipient and fire attack phases of the incident. Fire fighters are prone to high CO levels during the salvage and overhaul phases and shall utilize full PPE as indicated above.

Question 11

Guidelines

Upon arrival at a CO incident, evaluate ____

Answer 11

the condition of the occupants. If occupants are experiencing symptoms associated with CO exposure, remove them from the structure and provide patient assessment and treatment as outlined with Department protocols.

Question 12

Guidelines

During the CO investigation process, occupants should be ____. Leave all outside doors and windows ____. Upon arrival of the Hazardous Materials Team, measure CO from ____. Identify any areas of the structure with ____. Crews are reminded that ____ is not to be utilized to determine a clear atmosphere.

Answer 12

• evacuated from the residence or structure
• closed
• the center of the various rooms to include all areas of the residence
• measured CO levels
• their LifePak CO monitor
• The Haz-Mat Team must utilize their monitors to clear the structure.

Question 13

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:

1. Once the source of the elevated CO is located, ____

Answer 13

then correct the problem by either turning off the appliance or removing the source.

Question 14

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:
2. Potential sources of elevated CO include:

Answer 14

a. Gas appliances.
b. Internal combustion engines (lawnmowers, generators, vehicles idling in garage, etc.).
c. Charcoal grill.

Question 15

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:

3. Using ____, ventilate the CO to the outside of the structure.

Answer 15

an electric fan

Question 16

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:

4. After ventilating, when the monitor shows ____, occupants can return to the home.

Answer 16

CO levels of 0 ppm

Question 17

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:

If no apparent source of elevated CO levels are found, ____

Answer 17

advise the resident to contact a heating, ventilating, or air conditioning (HVAC) company immediately to identify and correct the conditions causing the elevated CO levels.

Question 18

Guidelines

CO Levels Greater Than Zero:

Advise all occupants to call 911 if their ____

Answer 18

CO alarm sounds, particularly if they have followed the above recommendations.

Question 19

Guidelines

CO Levels of Zero ppm:

1. Advised occupants ____

Answer 19

that no detectable levels of CO were not found.

Question 20

Guidelines

CO Levels of Zero ppm:

2. If the call was the result of a CO alarm activation, advised the resident ____

Answer 20

to review the manufacturer’s instructions regarding an activated Co alarm and to contact the manufacturer if necessary. CO alarms have a limited life and may need to be replaced. Advise occupants to never ignore an activated CO alarm and to call 911 should alarm activate.

Question 21

Guidelines

CO Alarm Installation

1. Should an occupant ask about proper CO alarm installation, provide the following information:

Answer 21

a. CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home.
b. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle or high on the wall because CO from any source will be well mixed with the air in the house. Ensure furniture or draperies do not cover the alarm.