Calgary fire crews respond to 5 carbon monoxide calls Thursday

Fire officials are reminding Calgarians to make sure they have working carbon monoxide (CO) monitors in their home and ensure their furnaces have been serviced after responding to multiple calls on the same day.

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) says crews responded to five CO calls on Thursday, some of which resulted in large evacuations.

Family calls 911 for CO alarm

Just after midnight a family in northeast Calgary called 911 after their CO alarm went off. The family of four left the home with their three pets after being told to do so by the emergency dispatcher.

Firefighters arrived and ATCO was called in to look out the natural gas appliances in the home.

No injures were reported and the family was let back in for ATCO workers cleared the home, according to CFD.

Elementary school evacuated at start of day

Before 9 a.m., firefighters, Haz Mat and ATCO were called to a school in the northeast community of Marlborough for reports of CO

The school was evacuated until crews found the CO source.

The issue was related to the boiler and the fire department says CO reading in the boiler room went up to 710 ppm.

No injures reported and everyone was allowed back in the building once the air was deemed safe.

Welding shop workers felt sick, smelled gas

Around 10:30 p.m., fire crews and Haz Mat were called to a business in an industrial area near Barlow Trail and 50 Avenue SE for reports of CO.

Workers at a neighbouring welding shop started feeling stick and also reported a smell of natural gas.

Crews found a CO reading of 60 ppm coming from a gas stove that wasn’t vented properly. ATCO was called in to look at the stove and the business was urged to have ventilation installed.

The incident was reported to a fire safety codes officer.

Faulty HVAC unit leads to traces of CO

Before 11 a.m., firefighters were called to an apartment building near Edmonton Trail and Memorial Drive NE for reports of a gas smell.

Fire crews, along with the Haz Mat tram and ATCO traced the CO to an HVAC unit on the roof. The fire department says the unit was shut off and the building was ventilated.

Building management was left to schedule repairs for the unit.

No injuries were reported.

Apartment evacuated after ‘dangerously high’ CO

Around 11:30 a.m., crews were called to a 48-unit apartment building along 130 Avenue SE after several residents CO alarms went off.

Firefighters discovered a CO reading of 220 ppm in the lobby when they arrived and CO readings as high as 520 ppm in hallways and common areas.

The building’s fire alarm was activated and the building was evacuated.

Crews discovered a vent that had become iced over after being blocked with leaves and debris. The blockage was removed and residents were allowed back in once it was deemed safe.

Tips to detect carbon monoxide

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) says they often see more carbon monoxide (CO) calls once furnaces and other gas appliances work harder due to winter weather.

Officials are urging all residents to have at least one working CO alarm on each level of their home. The most important location is to have one in or near bedrooms so they can be heard while sleeping.

Most alarms should be tested once a month and the batteries replace at least once a year. Some have 10-year lithium batteries that do not need annual maintenance.

Furnaces are the main source of CO in most homes, but CFD say people should monitor other appliances that run on natural gas and/or propane.

CO is a poisonous gas that has no colour, smell, or taste and long-term exposure can cause sickness or lead to death. People who are exposed could experience the following symptoms:

• headaches
• nausea
• dizziness
• confusion 
• fatigue 
• lose consciousness. 

Signs of potential CO buildup inside a home include:

• stale or stuffy air 
• a lot of moisture on your windows and walls
• soot build-up around appliances and vents
• or a pilot light that keeps going out.

Anyone who gets these symptoms, or detects any signs of CO in their home, should leave their house and call 911. Residents should not return inside until the fire departments give the all-clear.

CO levels of 800 ppm can be fatal within an hour. CO levels of 1,600 ppm can be fatal within 30 minutes.

Tips to prevent carbon monoxide

The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) has the following tips to prevent carbon monoxide:

• Every year check all the fuel-burning appliances in your house; make sure they are working properly and used properly.
• Make sure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected by professionals every year before you start to use them, usually when the weather gets cold
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Make sure to open the flue of your fireplace before you use it.
• Never run a car, vehicle or other motor inside a garage, even if the garage door is open. Always drive your car or vehicle out of the garage right after starting it
• Make sure your vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, fireplace and other fuel-burning appliances are always clear of snow and other debris.
• Only use gas and charcoal barbeques outdoors, away from all doors, windows, vents and other building openings. Never use barbeques inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
• Only use portable fuel-burning generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings.
• Make sure portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to their instructions.
• Check the outside and inside walls of your house for cracks, holes, separations, and check for rust, stains or carbon deposits on heating ducts or pipes.
• Check the flame on fuel-burning appliances – it should be clear blue with occasional yellow tips.

More information on carbon monoxide detection and prevention can be found here.