Originally Posted By: jfarsetta
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
reading within the
kitchen AFTER the appliance was activated? At worst, that reading is considered marginal.
Here's some info which may help clarify things...
Action Levels:
0 to 9 parts per million (ppm)
Normal - No Action: Typical from: outdoor sources, fumes from attached garages, heavy smoking, fireplace spillage and operation of unvented combustion appliances. With ambient conditions in this range, analysts may continue testing sequences.
10 to 35 parts per million (ppm)
Marginal: This level could become problematic in some situations. Actions: Occupants should be advised of a potential health hazard to small children, elderly people and persons suffering from respiratory or heart problems. If the home has an attached garage, document CO levels in garage. Accept this level as normal for unvented appliances but not for vented appliances. If unvented appliances are in operation, recommend additional ventilation in the areas of operation. With ambient conditions in this range, analysts may continue testing to locate the CO source.
36 to 99 parts per million (ppm)
Excessive: Medical Alert. Conditions must be mitigated
Standard - Appliance Testing
All combustion appliances will be tested individually for CO production. If operation of any appliance raises ambient CO concentrations in the
dwelling above
35 ppm, the appliance must not be operated by the homeowner until the cause is corrected.
Best Practices - House Preparation
Prior to testing combustion appliances, the house must be set to winter mode.
o Windows closed.
o Exterior doors closed.
o Close equipment room doors.
o Turn off all combustion appliances.
Best Practices - General Procedure for Appliance Testing
o Test vented combustion appliances first.
o Test unvented appliances only after completing vented appliance tests.
o Test common vented appliances individually beginning with the smaller appliance.
o If both appliances pass then test while both are firing.
o
Test ambient air in the combustion appliance zone before testing combustion gases.
o Always monitor ambient CO levels to ensure health and safety.
o
When ambient levels (space levels) within the CAZ are:
? 0 - 9 ppm Okay to test.
? 10 - 35 ppm Proceed with testing but carefully monitor ambient.
? 36 - 99 ppm Turn appliance off and ventilate area. When ambient CO levels are reduced to safe levels, operate one appliance at a time until source is located. Disable the defective appliance until it can be repaired.
? Greater than 100 ppm Stop testing, shut down the appliance(s), ventilate the area and exit the building. When ambient CO levels are reduced to safe levels, operate one appliance at a time until source is located. Disable the defective appliance until it can be repaired.
Best Practices - Ranges and Ovens
Ovens
o Should be tested after vented appliance testing is completed.
o Do not leave the CAZ while testing is in progress.
o For oven tests, remove any items stored in the oven before proceeding.
o Remove foil coverings from broil areas.
o
Make sure that self-cleaning features are not activated. This may produce excessive levels of CO.
o Test ovens by inserting the instrument probe into the vent sleeve before dilution air mixes with combustion by-products.
o Continually test ovens during warm up and record peak. (10 minutes)
o CO levels greater than 400 ppm during warm up or levels that stay high for several minutes before decreasing indicate potential problems and should be serviced or replaced.
o For units with separate broiler burner, repeat test.
o Continually monitor ambient space around oven during testing.
o Note: Electric ovens with excessive buildup or in self cleaning mode may produce carbon monoxide.
Range Top
o Test after vented appliance testing is completed.
o Do not leave the CAZ while testing is in progress.
o Remove all pots and foil from the burner area.
o
Turn all range top burners on high and allow to warm.
o
Test 6" above the flame without pots or test fixtures.
o When an unvented stove/range is found in a building, stress the need for a strategy to vent pollutants to the outdoor atmosphere.
o
Less than 50 ppm after 2 - 3 minutes of operation - OK
o 50 - 99 ppm after 2 - 3 minutes of operation - Marginal. Have the appliance serviced
o Greater than 100 ppm after 2 - 3 minutes - Unsafe. The appliance should not be used until repaired.
Again, based on these standards, a reading of 26ppm
at the stove, is okay. The other questions as to the conditions, what, and how you tested add to the equation....
Hope this helped...
Joe F