Carbon Monoxide Forums

davebl

I was reflecting on the news of the very sad death of the youngsters on holiday recently reported on the news as Carbon Monoxide poisoning from a faulty boiler. I once had minor CO poisoned myself some years ago by a coke stove on a boat. Every one recovered OK but it was very unpleasant and could have been far worse if I hadnt been disturbed in my sleep and woken up allowing me to wake the others.

Have there been any Carbon Monoxide poisonings from faulty equipment in Caravans or Motorhomes from faulty equipment ?

I wonder about fitting an alarm for Gas, CO and may be other gas attacks too. Any sugestions about the best device with a couple of remote sensors ?

tonyt

I think most "wiser" households are now fitting these alarms at home - the problem is that they're £30+ but a good investment.
When we go off on our mh travels we simply unhitch it from the wall at home and take it with us.

drifterman

I get called out to Co alarms about 5 times a week,as it happens twice tonight.One last night and the only appliance in the room a fridge freezer(deadly). This week not one had detected Carbon Monoxide.Most of the calls are caused by batteries being low.
The best one I have seen are the detectors you have to plug into the mains,probably with batt back up, I think B&Q do them.But then again anythings better than nothing.Just make sure appliances serviced and PLENTY VENTILATION.
And davebl more people are overcome with fumes from coal.( lack of servicing )
Jeff

Boff

Hi,

CO can only occur if incomplete combustion of a carbon-containing fuel occurs. While in a coke or coal stove it is quite likely that always some CO is produced, with a motorhome heater fired with low-carbon fuel like Propane or Butane this should only occur if either the heater is faulty or oxygen supply to the burner is insufficient.

Normally all motorhome or caravan heaters should take the air for the burner from outside the vehicle and also lead their exhausts there, so that the burner cycle is completely separated from the vehicle's interior. If such a heater is properly maintained and the forced ventilation ducts are not obstructed, then CO poisoning in a van is extremely unlikely.

This changes however if:
- forced vents are blocked
- the heating system is damaged (e.g. exhaust pipe is loose within the van)
- a heater that is designed to draw its oxygen from the inside is (illegally) used in a vehicle.

The first and especially specially the last one can only be considered as gross negligence, such heaters (AKA "catalytic heaters") are designed to be used only outside of buildings or vehicles. In all cases I know about where people have died in vans or caravans due to CO poisoning at least two of the above mentioned conditions were fulfilled.

So, under the condition that the heating system in a van is properly fitted and maintained to standards I would consider a CO detector as a relatively low-priority item. However, still much more important than a "K.O.-gas" detector.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

Pusser

This was a terrible tragedy. And so avoidable. Surely those that maintain these things must realise that these things need checking often. I bought a card, in fact two that goes from white to brown if there is a problem.

Within two weeks one went brown in my office where the mains gas meter is. I phoned up the gas board and they came down and tested and found the cause. Me smoking fags. Embarassed

peedee

I had an alarm fitted when I first bought my motorhome but they have a finite life and I have not bothered to replace it.

I think most peoples awareness of the problem is much greater than it used to be. Motorhomes and caravans are fitted with balanced flue burners these days and by law plenty of ventilation and I cannot remember reading about carbo monoixde problems in them for years.

It is a foolish person who blocks up the vents because its a little draughty.

I am still very cautious and prefer to run a small electric fan heater rather than gas heating especially as you now HAVE to pay for electricty on sites whether you want it or not.

peedee

Grizzly

One thing to note when you do install a CO monitor is that some have a flashing light to indicate that all is well with batteries etc.

This could be a nuisance in the MH at night if sited where you can see it or it reflects off surfaces. Ours is bright enough that we mistake it for lightning !

G

drifterman

With all these nutters out there consider someone blocking the flue on the roof. Or am I being too negative.
Jeff

TinaGlenn

If someone were to try to get onto our roof to block anything our 4 dogs would have a great game trying to get out of the door fast enough to get them.

On a more technical note though, our gas heater is totally room sealed, surely if the roof vent was blocked the gas would go out and without the heat to keep the vent open the gas would shut off???

I know if I am wrong someone will soon let me know Wink

Tina