Carbon monoxide (CO) – Odorless, poisonous and life-threatening
Gas detectors provide reliable protection
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas – making it particularly insidious and difficult to detect. It is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials such as wood, coal, oil, gas or gasoline. CO is often found in heating systems, engine rooms, garages, furnaces, industrial production facilities or tunnels. Even low concentrations of CO can be life-threatening – without CO measuring devices, the danger goes unnoticed.
Life-threatening effects of carbon monoxide – symptoms of CO poisoning
CO binds 300 times more strongly than oxygen to the hemoglobin in the blood and thus prevents oxygen transport. This leads to internal suffocation despite sufficient oxygen concentration in the air.
Typical CO poisoning symptoms:
- Mild intoxication: headache, nausea, dizziness
- Moderately severe poisoning: confusion, visual disturbances, cardiac arrhythmia
- Severe poisoning: unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, death
CO limits:
- Occupational exposure limit value (OEL): 30 ppm (TRGS 900, Germany)
- 200 ppm: Harmful to health after a few hours
- 800 ppm: Life-threatening within 2 hours
- 1,000 ppm: Fatal after a few minutes
Explosion hazard with carbon monoxide – risks in enclosed spaces
CO is flammable and forms explosive mixtures with air of between 12.5 and 74% by volume. There is therefore a risk of explosion, particularly in poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces, e.g. in:
- Engine test benches
- boiler rooms
- Underground garages
- Industrial plants with combustion processes
CO gas detectors – Life-saving protection for industrial, commercial and residential buildings
As carbon monoxide can neither be seen nor smelled, CO gas detectors are indispensable for protection against poisoning and explosions. Our CO sensors offer:
- High-precision CO detection in the ppm range
- Real-time monitoring of workstations, machine rooms and technical systems
- Audible and visual alarm functions for critical CO values
- Integration with ventilation systems, emergency shutdown and building management systems
- Portable CO alarms for fire departments, rescue services, fitters and maintenance personnel
- Stationary sensors for permanent monitoring of rooms and systems
Rely on proven CO sensor technology for maximum safety
Our CO gas detectors are precise, low-maintenance and robust – ideal for the following areas of application:
- Heating and building services
- Underground garages, tunnels and ventilation shafts
- Energy and waste management
- Workshops, warehouses, filling stations
- Mobile workstations and vehicles
The following gas sensors and systems from Bieler+Lang can detect carbon monoxide
We will be happy to advise you on the selection of suitable detectors and the corresponding evaluation devices for your individual application.
