Purpose
The following guidelines are established for the Fire Department's response to reports of Carbon Monoxide incidents.

General
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is deadly. It is a by-product of a fuel burning process. Many appliances such as furnaces, kitchen stoves, hot water heaters, automobiles, etc. can produce carbon monoxide. When a faulty or unusual condition exists, carbon monoxide may be vented into areas where people are present.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning may be difficult to diagnose. Its symptom are similar to the flu, which may include headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizzy spells.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a maximum safe working level for carbon monoxide at 35 parts per million (PPM) over an 8 hour period in the general workplace. The US environmental Protection Agency has established that residential levels are not to exceed 9PPM over an 8 hour average.

The gas company will not respond to all carbon monoxide (CO) investigations. They will respond only if the initial call received by them indicates that someone is ill or if the fire department requests that they respond to the scene.

Procedures

The department has issued a carbon monoxide meter to Rescue 1 and Command Vehicle. Company Officer should enter the meter onto their company inventory.

Rescue 1 and the Assistant Chief have been assigned the task of responding to carbon monoxide investigations. Engine 1 shall serve as a secondary response crew in the event Rescue 1 and the Assistant Chief are not available. All members at Station 1 should become familiar with the operation of the meters.

This meter shall be used to monitor the atmosphere during any suspected carbon monoxide investigation.

Each morning the CO gas meter should be examined and tested.

Any station receiving a call to about carbon monoxide detectors should follow the same protocol as Lee County Communications Center. The receiver of the call should attempt to verify if the detector sounding is a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.

Should any problem be noted, the Hazardous Materials Team Leader of the Special Operations Unit shall immediately be contacted, who will take steps to correct the problem or issue a replacement meter. The Special Operations Unit Haz Mat Team Leaders will also provide periodic re-calibration and maintenance of all CO gas meters, as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Company Officer shall see that their assigned meter is stored in a secure location on their apparatus.
 

Response and Notification

Upon receving a call regarding a carbon monoxide detector activation the dispatcher shall attempt to verify if the detector that is sounding is a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector.

1. If it is a smoke detector, the dispatcher will determine what fire response is necessary.
2. If it is a carbon monoxide detector.

1. If yes, dispatch the closest Enging Company, Rescue,1 and EMS;
2. If no, dispatch the Rescue and/or FD-3.

1. Verify that the alarm is coming from a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide detector. Determine the cause of the alarm, i.e. true alarm, low battery indication, poor location of device, etc.

A. If it is a smoke detector alarm:

1. Investigate the cause of the alarm;
2. take the necessary action to mitigate the situation;
3. advise the dispatcher of the situation.

1. Determine if anyone is exhibiting any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning; if so,
immediately evacuate and ventilate the premises;
2. Request necessary E.M.S. response;
3. Begin investigating the cause.

D. The incident commander shall request that the gas company respond to the scene if:

1. A CO level of over 9 PPM is indicated on their meters, or;
2. The responding company shuts off gas appliance, or;
3. Someone is showing signs of being ill due to carbon monoxide, or;
4. The incident commander feels a response by the gas company is needed.

Zero the meter in fresh air and comply with all other start up procedures as recommended by the manufacturer.

Initiate a survey of the premises to determine if there are any amounts above 9 PPM of carbon monoxide present.

All members shall use a SCBA in any atmosphere that is in excess of 35 PPM of CO.

Reading of 9 PPM or less:

Inform the occupants that our instrument did not detect an elevated level of CO at this time.

Recommend occupants check their CO detector per manufacturer recommendations.

Attempt to reset detector.

Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1.

Readings of more than 9 PPM but less than 100 PPM:

Any reading above 9PPM shall be considered above normal reading. Occupants shall be informed that we have detected a potentially dangerous level of CO. Recommend that all persons leave the premises and begin ventilation. If it is determined that an appliance is malfunctioning and thereby producing CO, it shall be shut down. Once the premises has been reduced to a safe level of CO, the premises may be occupied at the discretion of the occupant. Attempt shall be made to reset the detector. Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1. The occupants shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond.

Reading of 100 PPM or Greater:
 

Any reading of 100 PPM or greater - inform the occupants that we have detected a potentially lethal level of CO. Order the occupants to leave the premises immediately. If it is determined that an appliance is malfunctioning and thereby producing CO, it shall be shut down. Once the premises has been reduced to a safe level of CO, the premises may be occupied at the discretion of the occupant. Attempt shall be made to reset the detector. Inform occupants that if it activates again, call 9-1-1. The occupants shall be informed of the action that has taken place and that the gas company has been requested to respond.

The Officer investigating the utilize the Checklist for Carbon Monoxide form when conducting the investigation. Completing all information include on the form.

The Office should also complete the Notice of Findings form for the occupant. Complete all information as requested, have the occupant sign the form, and the bottom copy for filing with the incident report.

A standard incident report should be completed and filed in the appropriate manner.