Whitehall Ohio Division of Fire Carbon Monoxide Incidents PDF

Standard Operating Procedure Title: Carbon Monoxide Incidents S.O.P. - 900.1 Section: 900 – Special Operations Pages: 5 Issue Date: 01/01/2021 Approved: Revised Date: Chief Preston Moore Effective Date: 01/01/2021 1.0 Purpose: This standard operating procedure establishes the parameters that w...

Standard Operating Procedure Title: Carbon Monoxide Incidents S.O.P. - 900.1 Section: 900 – Special Operations Pages: 5 Issue Date: 01/01/2021 Approved: Revised Date: Chief Preston Moore Effective Date: 01/01/2021 1.0 Purpose: This standard operating procedure establishes the parameters that will be utilized to mitigate a report of Carbon Monoxide (CO) in a residence or commercial property. 2.0 Responsibility: This Standard Operating Procedure shall pertain to all personnel in this organization. It shall be the responsibility of the department officers to implement this operating procedure. It shall be the responsibility of the department officers to train members in the application of this procedure. It shall be the responsibility of each member to know, understand and use this procedure as it applies to the situation at hand. Each member will use good judgment in the use of this procedure. 3.0 Procedures and Information: 3.1 General A) CO is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that can be deadly in relatively low concentrations. It is a by-product of incomplete combustion originating from fuels such as wood, oil, propane, coal, gas, kerosene, or charcoal. B) These types of fuels can be found to be used in appliances such as furnaces, grills, dryers, fireplaces, ranges, water heaters, and automobiles. 1 C) When a faulty device, or unusual condition exists, CO may be vented into areas where humans are present causing CO Poisoning. D) CO is dangerous to humans because of its attraction to the hemoglobin in the bloodstream. As it bonds with the hemoglobin, it displaces oxygen and forms a toxic compound that may cause the following symptoms: Parts Per Million 0-9 10-35 36-100 100-200 200-400 Above 200 Resulting Conditions / Symptoms Maximum allowable concentration for short-term (less than 8 hours) exposure in a residential area. Usually, no symptoms are present. Exposure for time intervals greater than 8 hours could result in head pressure, weakness, confusion, nausea, or ear discomfort. Extended exposure (greater than 8 hours) will result in one or more of the above mentioned symptoms. After 2 hours of exposure symptoms could include all of the above symptoms plus, headache, dizziness, inability to think clearly, and possible loss of consciousness. After 1 hour of exposure can present with severe headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure, convulsions, or shallow respirations. After 3 hours of exposure can result in death. 3.2 Response Procedure A) Ensure that medical aid is rendered to individuals if necessary. Please refer to the EMS Protocol outlining the treatment of CO poisoning located within the adult toxicology section. B) The meters utilized by the Division when investigating a CO emergency shall be the Altair 4x or 5x meters. C) The first reading shall be taken at least 15 feet away from the structure and any known source of CO including fire department apparatus exhaust systems. The meters used by the Division have the capability of utilizing the last “fresh air reading” in its memory should the responding unit forget to “zero out” the meter at the beginning of the shift. D) The second reading shall be taken just inside the structure. E) If at any time during the incident the alarm sounds on the meter (reading of 35 ppm or >), personnel shall exit the structure immediately and order the immediate evacuation of the structure. Division personnel shall don full PPE to include SCBA prior to re-entry into the structure. 2 F) Exploration of the entire structure should occur in an attempt to locate the source of the CO production. Utility rooms, appliances, heating devices, garages, and all other fuel based equipment should be checked. G) If CO is detected inside of the structure, please refer to the following chart to guide your actions: PPM of CO 0-9 Action • • • 10-34 • • • • • 35 or > • • • • • • • Attempt to find the source of the CO and stop the hazard from occurring. Explain to the occupant(s) the level of CO that was detected, what we have determined to be the source of the CO, what we did to stop it from being produced, and offer a suggestion on what type of service should be contacted in order to properly fix or completely correct the situation. Explain to the occupant(s) the potential of the situation escalating should they decide to ignore our advice. Encourage the evacuation of all residents in the structure or employees in the general vicinity of the elevated readings within the commercial setting. Attempt to find the source of the CO and stop the hazard from occurring. Explain to the occupant(s) that a dangerous level of CO was detected and if left uncorrected that physical harm may occur as outlined in the chart located in Section 1.4 of this SOG. Attempt to introduce fresh air into the structure by opening up windows, doors, or using mechanical ventilation. Discourage re-entry into the structure until CO readings can be maintained at 9 ppm or <. Order the immediate evacuation of all occupants of the structure in a residential area, and all those in the immediate vicinity within the commercial setting. Division personnel shall immediately exit the structure and don full PPE to include active usage of an SCBA prior to re-entry. Attempt to find the source of the CO and stop the hazard from occurring. Explain to the occupant(s) that a potentially lethal level of CO has been detected and that their re-entry into the structure will be prohibited until one of the aforementioned thresholds of CO readings is obtained. Attempt to introduce fresh air into the structure by opening up window, doors, or using mechanical ventilation. If source of CO is found, every attempt to disable the faulty equipment should be made. Assist occupant(s) in contacting the proper repair entity that can properly correct the problem. 3 H) Do not utilize gas powered fans to mechanically ventilate the structure. I) When investigating to find the source of CO: 1) Turn thermostat up to allow the furnace to begin working and obtain a reading from the general area of the furnace and air registers throughout the structure. 2) Turn the hot water tank heat setting up so that it will begin operating. It might be necessary to run hot water from a sink in order to trigger the operation of the tank. After readings have been obtained, return the setting to its original position. 3) Obtain CO readings from adjacent units in a multi-family structure. J) If the source of the CO is found, disconnect the appliance or equipment that is suspected of creating the problem and encourage the occupant(s) to contact a proper repair technician. If, as mentioned above, the readings are > than 35 ppm, then offer to help contact the correct entity to correct the problem. K) Under all circumstances: 1) Do not indicate that the detector on site malfunctioned. Suggestions can be made to purchase a new detector, but we should not determine the existing detector to be faulty. 2) Do not guarantee the safety of the structure. 3) Do NOT attempt to repair any type of appliance or equipment. Simply disconnect the suspect appliance or equipment and encourage the occupant(s) to contact the proper repair technician. All repairs shall be made by or arranged by the occupant(s). L) If it is determined that a gas supply line is the source of the problem then contact Columbia Gas via the dispatch center. M) A NFIRS report shall be generated at the conclusion of the CO incident and the details surrounding the investigation and findings shall be explained in the narrative section complete with numeric recordings of any level of CO noted, actions performed, and suggestions for further mitigation made to the occupant(s) detailed. Explain to the occupant(s) that they may obtain a copy of the completed report if requested. N) If the CO monitor on the “first in bag” sounds, the EMS crew shall summons an engine to help mitigate the situation. 4 O) At the conclusion of all CO incidents, the occupant(s) shall be given a copy of the “Carbon Monoxide Information Sheet” and encouraged to call the fire department with any additional questions. 3.3 References A) United States Environmental Protection Agency, “An introduction to Indoor Air Quality” B) Occupational Safety and Health Administration 1917.24 (a) C) United States consumer Product Safety Commission, “Guidelines on Responding to Residential Carbon Monoxide Incidents” 5 This page intentionally left blank. 6