esv.vic.gov.au
Important updates
to Gas Information
Sheet 38 CO detectors: correct usage
makes a gasfitter's most
important tool
By Tyler Mason,
Senior Gas Engineer, Type A Gas
Appliance & Component Safety By Tyler Mason, Gas Engineer,
Type A Gas Appliance & Component Safety
Energy Safe Victoria with the assistance
of industry, have carried out a review
of the suite of Carbon Monoxide
information presently available for
gasfitters. As we enter the peak season of business for gasfitters,
ESV wants to remind specialised Type A Gas Appliance
Service licence holders about the limits and capabilities
of their carbon monoxide (CO) measuring equipment.
As a result, Information Sheet 38
Using carbon monoxide detection
equipment to check gas appliances
for spillage has been revamped in an
attempt to simplify and enhance
public safety. We all get drilled on using the right
tool for the right job, and in the case
of commissioning or servicing a flued
gas appliance, you must ensure the
appliance is not spilling combustion
products into the living space. Alternatively, use an instrument with
a sampling probe or a dedicated flue
gas analyser, so measurements in the
discharge air can be taken using the
probe and the testing instrument is
not subjected to high temperatures.
Information Sheet 38 is an important
guide for gasfitters and Type A appliance
service individuals as it outlines how to
carry out a test for negative pressure
and check for carbon monoxide spillage.
These checks should be completed
as part of a comprehensive service
of gas opened flued appliances. To correctly test for combustion
products, you should be using a
flue gas analyser or a CO detector
with a probe. And remember, your CO detector
or analyser always needs to be in
calibration.
The revised Information Sheet 38
is available on our website at
esv.vic.gov.au/sheet-38
Carbon Monoxide Spillage
Test Report
A new test report sheet to assist
gasfitters in performing the testing
for carbon monoxide on gas heaters
is also available on our website at:
esv.vic.gov.au/co-test-report
Negative pressure animation
If carrying out gas service work, ESV
recommends that you have a copy of
Information Sheet 38 available, and
that you familiarise yourself with our
animation on negative pressure.
Watch the animation on our website
or ESV YouTube channel.
Each type of CO detector available
will have a maximum temperature
limit provided by the manufacturer.
When the detector experiences
temperatures in excess of this limit,
it will no longer provide an accurate
reading and may even be damaged.
Many CO detectors have a maximum
operating temperature of between
40°C and 50°C. These CO detectors
are designed to measure ambient CO
levels within a room, not to measure
CO in a heater’s discharge air stream.
At a minimum, these sensitive
instruments need to be calibrated
yearly through the equipment’s
supplier or agent. That said, if you
are using your instrument constantly,
it may need more frequent calibration.
The supplier of your test gear will be
able to give you more information.
Gas information sheet 37 has more
information about carbon monoxide
measuring equipment.
ESV frequently comes across cases
where CO detectors have given false
or misleading readings from gas
heaters or central heating duct air
supply registers due to the equipment
being exposed to temperatures
greater than their maximum rating.
ESV advises:
» » You do not place your CO detector
in front of a heater’s discharge air
stream, as the hot air may overheat
the CO detector and cause false
CO readings.
» » You should know the maximum rated
temperature of your CO detector
before positioning it in an environment
subject to heat. If in doubt, contact
the equipment supplier.
Download your copy of
Gas information sheet 37 at:
esv.vic.gov.au/sheet-37
Watch our Negative Pressure
animation available at:
esv.vic.gov.au
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