Standard for Action Levels
The following action level have been defined as minimums
for BPI certified Carbon Monoxide Analyst. Analyst may work for
a government agency or business entity that has adopted more stringent
standards than the ones defined in this document. As such, CO Analysts
may enforce those higher standards or ignore conditions in excess
of the defined action levels. The action levels are considered
net indoor reading -i.e.- indoor ambient minus outdoor ambient
readings.
0 to 9 parts per million (ppm)
Normal - No Action: Typical from: outdoor sources,
fumes from attached garages, heavy smoking, fireplace spillage
and operation of unvented combustion appliances. With ambient conditions
in this range, analysts may continue testing sequences.
10 to 35 parts per million (ppm)
Marginal: This level could be prolematic in some
situations. Actions: Occupants should be advised of a potential
health hazard to small children, elderly people and persons suffering
from respirator or heart problems. If the home has an attached
garage, document CO levels in garage. Accept this level as normal
for unvented appliances but not for vented appliance. If unvented
appliances are in operation, recommend additional ventilation in
the areas of operation. With ambient condition in this range, analyst
may continue testing to locate the CO source.
36 to 99 parts per million (ppm)
Excessive: Medical Alert. Conditions must be mitigated.
Actions: Ask occupants to step outside and query about health symptoms.
Advise occupants to seek medical attention. If occupants exhibit
any symptoms of CO poisoning, have someone drive them to a medical
facility. Enter the building, open doors and windows to ventilate
the structure. Turn off all combustion appliances until the CO
level has been reduced to safe levels. If forced air equipment
is available, continuos operation of the air handler is recommended
at this time. If the home has an attached garage, document CO levels
in garage. Test combustion appliances one at a time to determine
the source of CO production. If an appliance is determined to be
the source of CO production, it should be shut off and not used
until a qualified technician with proper test equipment can service
itwindows that can be done quickly. If the home has an attached
garage, document CO levels in garage. Disable combustion appliance
operation. Continually monitor indoor ambient levels while moving
through the building. Once the atmosphere within the structure
has returned to safe levels and the appliances have been turned
back on, locate the source of CO production for corrective measures.
100 to 200 parts per millions (ppm)
Dangerous: Medical Alert. Emergency conditions exist.
Actions: Evacuate the building immediately and check occupants
for health symptoms. Advise all occupants to seek medical attention.
Occupants should have someone else drive them to a medical facility.
If occupants exhibit symptoms of CO poisoning, emergency service
personnel must be called. Evacuation is important, but Analysts
must not subject themselves to excessive conditions. Maximum exposure
time is 15 minutes. Open all doors and windows that can be done
quickly. If the home has an attached garage, document CO levels
in garage. Disable combustion appliance operation. Continually
monitor indoor ambient levels while moving through the building.
Once the atmosphere within the structure has returned to safe levels
and the appliances have been turned back on, locate the source
of CO production for corrective measures.
Greater than 200 parts per million (ppm)
Dangerous: Medical Alert. Emergency conditions exist.
Actions: Evacuate the building immediately and check occupants
for health symptoms. Advise all occupants to seek medical attention.
Occupants should have someone else drive them to medical facility.
If occupants exhibit symptoms of CO poisoning, emergency service
personnel must be called. Evacuation is important, but analysts
must not subject themselves to these conditions. Do not stay inside
or re-enter the building until conditions have dropped below 100
ppm. Open all doors and windows that can be done quickly without
entering the structure. Call the local utility to shut off gas
supply (if applicable and necessary). If the home has an attached
garage, document CO levels in garage if possible to do so without
being subjected to high levels of CO. Once the atmosphere within
the structure has returned to safe levels, restore fuel supply
to appliances. Operate and test the appliances one at a time to
determine the source of CO production.