Carbon Monoxide Alarm Response SOG PDF Guide

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarms Effective Date: 08/01/2010 Guideline Number 04-19A Revised Date: 01/01/2011 Number of Pages 02 1. O...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarms Effective Date: 08/01/2010 Guideline Number 04-19A Revised Date: 01/01/2011 Number of Pages 02 1. Overview It shall be the policy of the Salt Lake City Fire Department to respond to all activations of carbon monoxide detectors and to conduct an investigation into the causes of the activation. 2. Definitions CO: Carbon Monoxide TWA: Time Weighted Average (continuous exposure over eight (8) hours PPM: Parts per million 3. Guideline A. If the device is a smoke detector and there are no obvious fire conditions, the closest company will respond 10-40 to investigate the condition. B. If the device is a carbon monoxide detector, responders shall determine whether any of the occupants of the house are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The officer of the first-arriving unit should take appropriate precautions for entering a hazardous atmosphere, including the use of protective clothing and SCBA. C. The Special Operations Coordinator will have the responsibility of performing periodic maintenance on meters in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. D. Upon arrival at a report of detector activation, the meter will be calibrated in fresh air in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. A thorough investigation will be made of all areas of the residence, with particular attention to areas with fuel-burning appliances. 4. Readings and Actions A. 0 – 5 PPM (unventilated home): May be normal background levels in an unventilated home. Recommend that the occupants check their detector according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Attempt to reset the detector. Inform the occupants that they should call 9-1-1 if the detector is activated again or if they experience symptoms of CO poisoning. Request a response from Questar Gas if the detector continues to be activated and no source of carbon monoxide can be identified. B. > 15 PPM (near a fuel-burning appliance): Indicates a dangerous appliance. Fuel source should be disconnected until inspected by authorized agent (Questar, etc) Ventilate structure C. > 25 PPM (background in an unventilated home): Serious health effects could result Evaluate occupants for signs of CO Poisoning Advise occupants not to occupy until CO source has been identified and repaired D. > 50 PPM (double the TWA): Consider use of SCBA or appropriate APR 04-19A Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarm (SOG), Page 1 of 2  Immediate evacuation of all occupants Request HazMat Company for additional monitoring Contact utilities E. > 200 PPM Mandated use of SCBA for even short exposures UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL INFORM THE OCCUPANT(S) THAT THE DETECTOR IS SOUNDING A FALSE ALARM. 04-19A Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarm (SOG), Page 2 of 2