Clearwater Fire & Rescue Carbon Monoxide Response Procedure PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 610 SUBJECT: Carbon Monoxide Activation - Response PAGE 1 OF...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 610 SUBJECT: Carbon Monoxide Activation - Response PAGE 1 OF 2 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Operations Suppression and EMS APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/06/12 REVISION DATE: 04/08/22 REVIEWED DATE: SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: This document provides guidance for the response to carbon monoxide (CO) alarm activation and contains general information about carbon monoxide, recommendations for investigating, actions to be taken, and post-incident considerations. It is to be used to provide a safe and systematic approach to CO activation as the effects of the gas are potentially DEADLY. 610.1 Definition Carbon Monoxide Activation - Response refers to an incident response in which either the calling party identifies the reason for the call as the activation of a local alarm on a carbon monoxide (CO) sensing device or the first arriving crew determines that a local CO sensing device is in alarm. 610.2 Investigation 1. Ensure occupants are evacuated and obtain information about the alarm. a. Confirm that it is a carbon monoxide alarm. 2. Assess need for medical evaluation and treat if necessary. a. Consider symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure. b. A normal Oxygen Saturation does NOT rule out CO exposure. c. Treatment includes moving to fresh air and 100-percent oxygen. 3. Personnel should wear personal protective equipment/SCBA as directed by the situation. a. Treat all activations as real. 4. Monitor and document CO levels. a. Utilize the “Sensit G2 or MULTI RAE PLUS 4 GAS DETECTOR” to confirm both O2 and CO levels. 5. Attempt to determine source of carbon monoxide such as (motor vehicles, gas appliances, gas and wood fireplaces, grills, generators, etc.).  SUBJECT: Carbon Monoxide EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/06/12 S.O.P. 610 Activation - Response REVISION DATE: 04/08/22 CATEGORY: Operations SUBCATEGORY: Suppression and EMS PAGE 2 OF 2 610.3 Actions 1. If the alarm is determined to be faulty or needs replacing, notify the occupant. 2. If the source of carbon monoxide is found, it shall be turned off and occupant notified. a. Notify Gas Company for any gas operated systems or devices. 3. If the source is not found and the levels are high, over 9 ppm, crew may call for Haz Mat consult or Haz Mat response. 4. Ventilate the structure if levels are determined to be a hazard. 5. When the building has been determined to be safe according to the CO detectors and monitors, the occupant shall be notified. 6. Utilize additional monitoring as needed especially if there is any question to the accuracy of the meter in use. 610.4 Post-Incident Considerations The physical properties of carbon monoxide make it difficult to determine if the hazard has been completely eliminated. Once the hazard of carbon monoxide has been eliminated and the monitor readings are safe, there are several additional considerations that the crews may take. 1. Educate occupant about carbon monoxide prevention and exposure. 2. Encourage them to install new or additional CO alarms or detectors as needed (in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations).