WESTFIELD – After Thursday’s tragedy on Elizabeth Avenue, fire officials are eager to remind residents that carbon monoxide detectors are more than a good idea – they’re required by law.
Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Egloff said Friday morning after an Elizabeth Avenue woman died, apparently due to carbon monoxide poisoning, said that gas and oil fired furnaces and hot water heaters produce carbon monoxide which “can make you sick or end up killing you” and which is why detectors are mandated to be installed in all homes in the Commonwealth “because they’re very effective in sensing carbon monoxide in the home.”
He said that the law requires that there be a carbon monoxide detector on every finished level of a house as well as one within ten feet of every bedroom.
He also said that, although a detector is not required in an unfinished basement, it’s a “good idea” to have one there anyway, especially since the most common source of carbon monoxide in a home, the heating and hot water systems, are usually located in the cellar.
As an illustration of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors, Egloff said that that firefighters responding to emergency calls are equipped with two meters to measure the presence of the deadly gas so that, in case the first meter provides a false reading, the mistake will be caught by a second member of the team who will also make readings of the carbon monoxide level in a dwelling.
Residents may not be aware of the carbon monoxide detector requirements and Egloff said that he can enforce the requirements when a residence is sold. A certificate of compliance is needed to complete a real estate transfer, he said, and that is when he ensures that the detector requirements are met.
The other instance in which he can require compliance with the regulations, he said, is when firefighters respond to an emergency and report to him that carbon monoxide detectors were not present when they were at a residence to deal with a fire or other emergency.
Leonard Bruso, an owner of Baystate Fuel Oil in West Springfield, said “All combustion has some carbon monoxide involved in the combustion process” but said a well maintained furnace will keep the level of the gas low and contain it inside the heating system.
He said “The majority of our calls tend to be false alarms but if carbon monoxide is involved it gets serous quickly.”
He said that problems usually arise when a fire is out of adjustment, usually due to chimney or vent issues, and said he recommends annual service of furnaces and hot water heaters to avoid problems.
“Maintenance is the problem, usually” he said.
