Carbon Monoxide accumulates over time, displacing oxygen from the bloodstream. Low doses cause headaches and dizziness - when you move to a clean-air environment, there is no permanent damage. However, the greater the exposure, the more cognitively impaired you’ll become until losing consciousness. However, sudden exposures at high concentrations can kill you in minutes.
Alarm Types
Concentrations of Carbon Monoxide at wildfires can exceed 30ppm without visible smoke. At this concentration, a low-level alarm will trigger on Honeywell’s wearable ToxiRAE Pro CO monitor.
The ToxiRAE Pro tracks a time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to Carbon Monoxide. Hit any of these limits, relocate to a clean-air environment and seek medical attention:
- 60 mins -> Allowable concentration 60ppm
- 30 mins -> Allowable concentration 100ppm
- 15 mins -> Allowable concentration 200ppm
- Peak limit -> 400ppm
Navigating the ToxiRAE interface
If you get stuck in a menu on the ToxiRAE Pro, press the left button to cycle through the menu, then push the right button to select the highlighted option.
Bump testing
Honeywell’s wearable sensors require periodic bump testing to ensure the sensors and alarms function correctly.
- Connect the calibration gas cylinder, flow regulator, and calibration adapter to the ToxiRAE Pro and start the gas flow.
- Ensure the alarm sounds, LEDs flash, and the sensor vibrates.
- Turn off the gas flow.
- Remove the calibration adapter and record the results in the accompanying service log.
Masks
P2 and P3 masks cannot filter carbon monoxide; for CO levels below 30 ppm, a single-use P2 mask should be sufficient (discard when wet, dirty or at the end of a job).
Switch to a P3 mask above 30 ppm for better respiratory protection against airborne particles.
Comments:
You can join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram
Become a Patreon to get early and behind-the-scenes access along with email notifications for each new post.
Hi! Subconsciously you already know this, but let's make it obvious. Hopefully this article was helpful. You might also find yourself following a link to Amazon to learn more about parts or equipment. If you end up placing an order, I make a couple of dollarydoos. We aren't talking a rapper lifestyle of supercars and yachts, but it does help pay for the stuff you see here. So to everyone that supports this place - thank you.