Escapees November-December 2023

outside the RV by a forced-air blower system. However, as these units age, the furnace combustion chamber can corrode or split, causing combustion byproducts to enter the RV and build up. In the case of such a malfunction, without a functional CO detector installed in your rig, your only early warning signal will be the onset of fl u-like symptoms, nausea or dizziness as the levels of CO rise. You may fail to recognize these symptoms as warnings of CO poisoning until it is too late. Still not convinced that you need a detector? If you have a generator installed in your rig or use a portable unit, you need a detector even more! The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) ran a 5.5-horse power gasoline-powered pressure washer in a double garage with both doors open, the window open and a vent open. In only 12 minutes, CO concentrations in the garage rose to 658 ppm. The rate of emission from a typical gasoline engine is so large (30,000 to 100,000 ppm) that it is dif fi cult to provide suf fi cient ventilation. NIOSH warns, “Do not use equipment and tools powered by gasoline engines inside buildings.” Even with a properly installed exhaust system, carbon monoxide from your running

“Detectors are easy to install, operate and will give you peace of mind along with serious protection.”

Many RVers who dry-camp have installed unvented propane space heaters. These units are terri fi c for saving propane and battery power, but they can be a source of indoor air pollution, and that includes CO. Oxygen Depletion Sensors When properly maintained and adjusted, gas heaters produce low amounts of CO. One cause of carbon monoxide poisoning from unvented heaters—incomplete combustion caused by lack of air—has been virtually eliminated in newer heaters by use of oxygen depletion sensors (ODS). Unfortunately, the ODS does not respond to incomplete combustion caused by improper gas pressure, dust, dirt or rust on the burner or disruption of the burner by air currents. Even a properly maintained and adjusted vent-free heater can cause danger ous levels of CO inside an RV if adequate ventilation is not provided. Standard RV forced-air furnaces are safe, as all combustion gases are vented

Carbon Monoxide Safety Resources

Informational sites on CO and safety for RVers. • rvingwithmarkpolk.com/2012/05/22/rv-101-carbon-monoxide-safety-awareness/ • https://rv-camping.org/winter-rv-camping-safety/ • www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/RVSafetyTips.ashx For more information, you might want to check out these agencies: • EPA: www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality • OSHA: www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf • NFPA: www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Carbon-monoxide • Iowa State University CO information: www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/communications/CO Online links to CO detector sources and manufacturers: • First Alert :www. fi rstalert.com/us/en/products/alarms/carbon-monoxide-alarms • Kidde: www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/products/ fi re-safety/co-alarms/ • Marine Technologies, Inc.: www.mtiindustries.com • Pro-Tech: www.protechsafety.com/catalog.html • Quantum Group, Inc.: http://qginc.com/content/rv-carbon-monoxide-co-alarms

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ESCAPEES Magazine November/December 2023