richard roberts co detection: important facts, … · •2018 icc and nfpa model code changes...

CO DETECTION: IMPORTANT FACTS, CODE

UPDATES AND RESEARCH

Richard Roberts

Industry Affairs Manager

Honeywell Confidential - © 2017 by Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

Agenda

• Important Facts and Statistics

• 2018 ICC and NFPA Model Code Changes

• NFPA 720/NFPA 72 Consolidation

• CO Detection Research

• Q&A


2

Important Facts and Statistics


The Silent Killer!

3

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

• Should not be confused with CO2

• CO produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuel

- Coal

- Wood

- Charcoal

- Oil

- Propane

- Natural Gas

• CO is not combustible or flammable, however it’s is toxic

• CO is a colorless and odorless


CO in the Body

4


Common CO Sources

5

• Gas ranges or ovens

• Heating systems

• Combustion engine power tools and portable generators

• Charcoal grills

• Vehicles running in the garage


CO Incidents

6

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

- 408 average number of deaths per year

- 20K injured

- 64% in homes

- 21% in public occupancies


Symptoms of CO Exposure

7

Concentration(parts per million)

Exposure Time – Symptoms

50 8 hours – no adverse effects

80045 minutes – headache, nausea and dizziness

2 hours – collapse and unconsciousness

1,000 1 hour – loss of consciousness

6,4001-2 minutes – headache and dizziness

10-15 minutes – unconsciousness and possible death


CO Detector Alarm Thresholds

8

• ANSI/UL 2034 and ANSI/UL 2075

- No alarm at 30 ppm

- 70 ppm 1 to 4 hours

- 150 ppm 10 to 50 minutes

- 400 ppm 4 to 15 minutes

• CO alarms/detectors are designed to activate before

potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached


Is CO Lighter or Heavier Than Air?

9

• The molecular weight of CO is 28 grams per mole (g/mol),

whereas the molecular weight of air is approximately 29

g/mol

• A mole is 6.022x1023 (that's a really big number) molecules

of material


CO Dispersion in Buildings

10

• 2007 FPRF Study, Development of a Technical Basis for Carbon

Monoxide Detector Siting:

- CO dispersion occurs via

1. Mechanical ventilation systems or by

2. Natural forces

- A ventilation system will dominate the flows in the building and

results in a well-stirred environment within the ventilation zone


CO Detector Placement

11

• NFPA 720 Each alarm or detector shall be located:

- On the wall, ceiling, or other location as specified in the

manufacturer’s published instructions that accompany the unit

- On the ceiling in the same room as permanently installed fuel-

burning appliances


Reliability

12

• When CO detectors were first introduced the late 1980’s, they were

adequate but easily alarmed in constant low-levels of CO

• December of 1994 Chicago: 1,851 false carbon monoxide alarms

in a 24 hour period when a thermal weather inversion trapped CO

under a warmer layer of air

• In 1998, the ANSI/UL 2034 was modified to address the high

number of false CO alarms prior to 1998. The Standard added a

false alarm resistant requirement to prevent nuisance alarms:

- No alarm at 30 ppm until after 30 days

- No alarm below 70 ppm until 1 hour


Reliability, continued

13

• In December of 2004, UL published a 5-year CO Alarm Field Study

that was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of CO alarms

• The UL study concluded that CO alarms provide effective signaling

protection should there be a fatal concentration of CO and that CO

alarms generally do not false alarm in the field

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Q&A Document

466: “The safety standards for CO alarms have been continually

improved and currently marketed CO alarms are not as susceptible

to nuisance alarms as earlier models”


Duct CO Detection

14

• Is it permissible to install duct detection in lieu of spot CO

detectors?

• Duct mounted CO detectors CAN NOT be used as a primary form

of protection

- There is no product performance listing for a duct mounted CO detector

- Alarm thresholds used for spot CO detectors HAVE NOT been tested

for duct mounted CO detection

- Impact of air velocity on the CO sensor, the stratification of CO within

the duct


15

2018 I-Code Changes


Introduction

• Comments and opinions during the presentation are

exclusively the presenter and do not reflect an official

position of the International Code Council (ICC),

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), its

employees, or any of the Technical Committees

• Highly recommend purchasing a copy of the ICC or

NFPA Code or the Handbook for all the changes,

requirements and details:

- www.nfpa.org

- www.iccsafe.org

http://www.nfpa.org/

http://www.iccsafe.org/


Introduction

• All changes in presentation will be referenced using legislative text.

- Red strike through means text is being removed

- Blue underline means text is being added

- Black text means no changes


Key Changes to the 2018 IFC/IBC

Carbon Monoxide Detection

SECTION 202 DEFINITIONS

• CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM. A single- or multiple-station alarm intended

to detect carbon monoxide gas and alert occupants by a distinct audible

signal. It incorporates a sensor, control components and an alarm notification

appliance in a single unit.

• CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. A device with an integral sensor to

detect carbon monoxide gas and transmit an alarm signal to a connected

alarm control unit.



Responsible Party Notified of a Carbon Monoxide Leak

19

CO Detectors Only Outside of Dwelling/Sleeping Units and Classrooms

• 915.1.1 Where required. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in Group I-1, I-

2, I-4 and R occupancies and in classrooms in Group E occupancies

• 915.1.3 Forced-air Fuel burning forced-air furnaces. Carbon monoxide detection

shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping units and classrooms served by a fuel-

burning, forced-air furnace.

Exception: Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units,

sleeping units and classrooms where a carbon monoxide detection detector is

provided in the first room or area served by each main duct leaving the furnace,

and the carbon monoxide alarm signals are automatically transmitted to an

approved location.




20


• 915.1.4 Fuel-burning appliances outside of dwelling units, sleeping units and

classrooms. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units, sleeping

units and classrooms located in buildings that contain fuel-burning appliances or fuel-

burning fireplaces.

Exceptions:

1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required in dwelling units, sleeping units and

classrooms where there are no communicating openings between the fuel-burning appliance

or fuel-burning fireplace and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.


classrooms where a carbon monoxide detection detector is provided in one of the following

locations:

2.2 On the ceiling of the room containing the fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning

fireplace.




21


• 915.1.5 Private garages. Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling

units, sleeping units and classrooms in buildings with attached private garages.

Exceptions:

1. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where there are no communicating openings

between the private garage and the dwelling unit, sleeping unit or classroom.


classrooms located more than one story above or below a private garage.

3. Carbon monoxide detection shall not be required where the private garage connects to the

building through an open-ended corridor.

4. Where a carbon monoxide detection detector is provided in an approved location between

openings to a private garage and dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms, carbon

monoxide detection shall not be required in the dwelling units, sleeping units or classrooms



Protect Students and Faculty in K-12 Schools

22

CO Detection in K-12 Schools

• 915.2.3 Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide detection detectors shall be

installed in classrooms in Group E occupancies. Carbon monoxide alarm signals shall

be automatically transmitted to an on-site location that is staffed by school personnel.

• 915.4.3 Locations. Carbon monoxide alarms shall only be installed in dwelling units

and in sleeping units. They shall not be installed in locations where the Code requires

carbon monoxide detectors to be used.


Key Changes to the 2018 IEBC

Carbon Monoxide Detection in Existing Buildings, continued

• 402.6 Carbon monoxide alarms in existing portions of a building. Where an

addition is made to a building or structure of a Group I-1, I-2, I-4 or R

occupancy, the existing building shall be provided with carbon monoxide alarms

in accordance with Section 1103.9 of the International Fire Code or Section

R315 of the International Residential Code, as applicable.

Exceptions:

1. Work involving the exterior surfaces of buildings, such as the replacement of

roofing or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the

addition of porches or decks, is exempt from the requirements of this section.

2. Installation, alteration or repairs of plumbing or mechanical systems, other than

fuel-burning appliances, are exempt from the requirements of this section.


Key Changes to the 2018 IEBC


• 403.11 Carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be provided

to protect sleeping units and dwelling units in Group I-1, I-2, I-4 and R

occupancies in accordance with Section 1103.9 of the International Fire Code.

Exceptions:

1. Work involving the exterior surfaces of buildings, such as the replacement of roofing

or siding, or the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of

porches or decks, is exempt from the requirements of this section.

2. Installation, alteration or repairs of plumbing or mechanical systems, other than fuel-

burning appliances, are exempt from the requirements of this section.


Key Changes to the 2018 IPMC


• 704.3 Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors. Carbon monoxide alarms and

carbon monoxide detection systems shall be maintained in accordance with

NFPA 720. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that

become inoperable or begin producing end-of-life signals shall be replaced.


26

2018 NFPA 101 and NFPA 1 Changes


Key Changes to the 2018 NFPA Codes

Protect Public and Workers

27

CO Detection in Assembly Occupancies

• 14.3.4.4.1 Carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with Section 9.12 shall be provided

in new educational occupancies in the locations specified as follows:

1) Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed on the ceilings of rooms containing permanently

installed fuel-burning appliances.

2) Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed centrally located within occupiable spaces

served by the first supply air register from a permanently installed, fuel-burning HVAC system.

3) Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed centrally located within occupiable spaces

adjacent to a communicating attached garage.

• 14.3.4.4.2 Where carbon monoxide detectors are installed in accordance with

14.3.4.4.1(1), the alarm signal shall be automatically transmitted to an approved on-site

location or to an off-premises location in accordance with NFPA 720.


28

NFPA 720/NFPA 72 Consolidation


NFPA 720/72 Consolidation

29

• In 2015 the NFPA Standards Council approved a project to

merge NFPA 720 into NFPA 72 because the two standards

have similar requirements

• With every new edition of NFPA 720 updating of extracts

from NFPA 72 has become a very time consuming effort

that is prone to error for both NFPA Staff and the Technical

Committee

• The scope and title of NFPA 72 was intentionally changed

in 2010 to be broad enough to include CO as well as other

signaling needs


30

CO Detection Research


UL High Altitude Project

31

• In 2011 UL formed a Task Group (TG) to determine the

effectiveness of CO alarms installed in high altitude

applications

- Concern by several code authorities

- Will CO alarms installed in between 5K and 12K feet above sea

level provide life safety protection

- UL 2034 covers pressures up to 530 feet above sea level


UL High Altitude Project

32

• UL conducted field tests on 28 CO alarms at altitudes up to

12.8K feet above sea level

- Concluded CO alarms will provide adequate life safety

protection at higher altitudes

- May be prone to nuisance alarms

• UL 2034 Standards technical Panel (STP) working to add

high altitude performance test protocols to standard


CO Diffusion Through Walls

33

• Current codes do not require CO detection if there are no

“communicating” openings between a garage and occupied

areas of the building

• In 2013 JAMA published a report that CO is capable of

diffusing through gypsum wallboard


CO Diffusion Through Walls

34

• In 2014 the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF)

initiated a project to determine if CO is capable of diffusing

through wall, ceiling and floor assemblies:

- Conduct a literature search

- Studies on CO dispersion

through walls

- Identify incidents involving CO where there was no

communicating opening

• The findings of the report support the recent claim that CO

gas is capable of diffusing through walls at a rate that

presents a danger to building occupants.


35

Richard Roberts

Industry Affairs Manager

Honeywell Fire Safety

[email protected]

1-630-338-7025

Time for Questions!

CO Detection: Important Facts, Code Updates & Research

richard roberts co detection: important facts, … · •2018 icc and nfpa model code changes...

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