Can truck exhaust outside set off a carbon monoxide/explosive gas detector inside?
Aug 14, 2008 by roguedd13 | Posted in Safety
My consternation went off one morning. The fire department found nothing, but there was a truck idling in the lot next to my apartment. When the sundries pulled away, the alarm stopped but the firemen told me that wouldn't have caused it. He did hint at that if I sprayed perfume, that might have caused it, but that sounded a scarcely silly to me.
I'd undoubtedly suggest it was the truck exhaust.
Although there is nothing explosive in exhaust, the carbon monoxide could well have triggered it.
Scare systems are notoriously (at least within fire services) sensitive - and take very shallow to set off. I've been to alarm activations set off by bathroom steam, a kettle, steamy air (I'm not joking - damp air can trigger them), even someone blowing cigarette smoke into an air conditioner.
I'd set forward it's most likely the trucks carbon monoxide set it off though - also acknowledged that many modern detectors are wired so as they don't just pick up smoke but often the other by-products of a fire (such as carbon monoxide).
Bert from Oz | Aug 16, 2008
Can natural smells set off the gas alarm attached to a plug-in carbon monoxide detector?
May 27, 2007 by bluemoon | Posted in Other - Home & Garden
When changing the refuse in the kitchen , the alarm for explosive gas went off! Have read that methane from a diaper pail could source the alarm to sound; was wondering if garbage containing some old catfood, vegetables etc. could do the same.
Operating of the combustible gas detector could be caused by methane generated by decomposition of hydrocarbons such as those you describe. I would evaluate, though, the detector would have to be very close to where the methane is generated, and at a level higher than the headland of generation. Methane is somewhat lighter than air, unless is is colder than circumjacent air.
Ed | May 28, 2007
Is it normal to have a gas smell near a gas furnace?
Apr 02, 2008 by Whobitty | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
We have been in our home for 2 1/2 months. Prior to moving in, we had a diagnostic check run on the furnace. The test came out ok except that the flue fan had to be replaced. I have smelled a frail gas smell on occasion when opening the furnace closet, uniquely right before the furnace kicks on. We have a carbon monoxide/explosive gas detector plugged in about five feet from the furnace. It has never gone off. Still, I had the gas following check and they said it was ok too.
Should I still be concerned? Today I in reality smelled the gas through our vents upstairs and, subsequently, when I opened the furnace closet not fancy before the furnace kicked on.
No, this is not standard! A carbon monoxide monitor only measures the amount of CO after the burner is operating. An explosive limit detector will only motivate when the explosive gas content in the room is high enough to cause an boom.
You report that the gas detector has never gone off. How often have you tested it to ensure that it is working? Have you ever replaced the battery in it? You should substitute for the battery on the weekend of the time changes from Light Savings time to Standard Time and try out the detector on the 1st of each month.
You should not smell any odors from the natural gas when the furnace lights. Yes, it is more frequent with heating oil to have an odor, but not with any other fuels. Even though the gas company found no odors, I'd still call them again and story a gas odor in the room.
NJGuy | Apr 02, 2008
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