Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, invisible gas produced
whenever any fossil fuel such as oil, gas, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Hundreds of people die each year from CO
poisoning caused by malfunctioning, misadjusted or improperly used fossil fueled appliances. If these appliances are maintained
and used properly, the amount of CO produced is not hazardous. However, if these same appliances are not working properly
or are installed and/or adjusted incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result that may not be known by simply sampling the
indoor air of the building.
A good Carbon Monoxide analysis is performed by measuring CO in the undiluted flue
gasses of the appliance being tested, i.e. "furnace, water heater, boiler etc". Also a draft measurement in the
flue pipe should be performed where applicable. Furthermore a comparative sampling of both the indoor air and the outdoor
air of the home or building environment for CO should be performed.
It is vitally important to understand the
difference between actual CO flue gas measurement as opposed to a stroll through the house measuring for CO in the ambient
air or at the registers. Measuring for CO only in the indoor air is an inaccurate and dangerously short sighted approach
to CO analysis. This type of test should be considered almost worthless and that is why so many Home Inspection Companies
offer their CO test for free. It is said that, "You get what you pay for"!
Our analytical approach
reflects a philosophy that is designed to find a possible CO problem at its source prior to experiencing CO in the indoor
air of the living space. But this also demands a properly administered Carbon Monoxide Analysis. Why wait until your CO alarm
goes off (if it goes off) to know whether there is a combustion problem with one or more of the appliances in the home.
Our Inspectors have the knowledge and training to approach the issue of Carbon Monoxide from a logical position.
As public awareness of the hazards of CO has increased, Seagate Inspections, Inc. has met the challenge of obtaining the training
and equipment to provide what we believe is the best method of Carbon Monoxide Analysis possible.
