CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY ON BOATS - How to protect you, your crew, your visitors and pets on your boat from the 'Silent Killer' - Carbon Monoxide
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CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY ON BOATS How to protect you, your crew, your visitors and pets on your boat from the 'Silent Killer' - Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide... what's the risk ?
When carbon-based, appliance CO build-up in the cabin can
and engine fuels, such as gas, occur with one or a mix of
LPG, coal, wood, paraffin, oil, these factors:
petrol and diesel don’t burn
completely, CO is produced. • Faulty, badly maintained or
misused appliances
• Exhaust fumes from a boat’s
engine or generator
• Escaped flue gases from solid
Each year boaters die or are fuel stoves
made seriously ill from • Blocked ventilation or short
carbon monoxide (CO) supply of air - fuel needs
poisoning. oxygen to burn safely
In recent years, solid fuel stoves
Boats are built to keep water
and engine or generator
out, but this also makes
exhaust gases have been
them good containers for
responsible for most deaths of
gases and fumes.
boaters from CO poisoning.
2
How the silent killer works!
But even breathing-in lower
CO can kill in minutes - be levels of CO over a longer
prepared to act quickly if you period, you can still suffer
think you are being serious effects such as memory
poisoned! problems and difficulty
concentrating.
CO is a highly poisonous gas that Some people will be affected
weighs about the same as air. much more quickly:
At high concentrations, CO can kill • Pregnant women and unborn
without warning, sometimes in babies;
only minutes. • Babies and young children
• Older people
It cannot be seen, smelt, tasted, • People with respiratory
or felt, that’s why it’s known as problems or heart conditions
the silent killer!
For other reasons, some
When you breathe in CO, it people may be at higher risk:
replaces the oxygen in your
bloodstream, preventing essential • Those who have been doing
supplies to your body tissues, something active and are
heart, brain and other vital breathing more rapidly and
organs. deeply and have a greater
need for oxygen
Where victims survive severe CO • Those who have been
poisoning, they can be left with drinking heavily - because the
long-term brain damage such as symptoms may be masked
poorer concentration, or mood
swings, etc.
If CO is in your cabin space,
everyone is at risk, no one is
immune!
3
CO poisoning can creep up on you –
recognise the signs
If you are asleep, you may not The greater the amount of CO
notice any symptoms as they there is in air, or the longer you
develop. are breathing in CO, the worse
your symptoms may get:
Even if you are awake
• Drowsiness, lethargy, extreme
We have listed some of the tiredness, difficulty
common symptoms, but not concentrating
everyone suffering CO poisoning • A feeling of general weakness,
will have all of them. difficulty in walking or moving
• Loss of balance and sight and
Common symptoms include: memory problems
• Headache and bad temper ...and with very high CO levels
• Feeling sick and dizzy
• Feeling tired and confused • Chest pains
• Stomach pains and being sick • Increased heart rate
• Difficulty breathing or
breathlessness
For more information visit • Seizures
the NHS website • Collapse, unconsciousness
http://www.nhs.uk/conditio and death
ns/carbon-monoxide-
poisoning
4
If you think you are suffering – ACT
QUICKLY
Seek medical help and don’t
Fast action could save your delay! Tell the doctor or nurse
life. Ask yourself 'Are people that you may have suffered
ill on my boat, but feel OK carbon monoxide poisoning.
ashore?'
If other crew members, or pets,
are feeling ill or have the
If you suspect you have carbon symptoms, they need medical
monoxide poisoning or the CO help too.
alarm activates, you need to act
fast. Anyone with severe symptoms
needs to get to hospital as
Get all people and pets out to quickly as possible! Contact the
fresh air as quickly as you can and emergency services
stay out in the fresh air. straightaway.
If you can, on your way out, turn Severe CO poisoning needs
off appliances and engines… immediate medical treatment
…also leave doors, windows and CO poisoning can only be tested
awnings open to allow fresh air to shortly after exposure as its
flow through the boat. traces begin to disappear as
soon as you start breathing
clear air.
5
Know any danger signs on your boat
• An unfamiliar or burning smell
Routine checking that your when an LPG or oil appliance
boat’s fuel-burning is on
appliances and engines are • Smelling or seeing smoke
free from signs of problems escaping regularly into the
and in good condition will cabin when running your
help keep you safe. wood-burner or coal stove
Any of the following could be Flue gases from solid fuel
signs that CO is filling your boat: stoves can have up to 100
times the concentrations of
• Staining, sooty smears, or CO found in gas hob-burners
discolouration on surfaces with problems.
around an appliance or its flue
• Appliances that are difficult to
• Smelling engine exhaust
light, keep lit or burn weakly
fumes regularly inside the
• Burners with yellow or orange
cockpit or cabin
or ‘floppy’ flames that threaten
to go out
If there's a CO problem on
your boat - get a properly
qualified person to find and
fix the appliance or engine
before it is used again.
6
How to prevent CO on your boat
The required ventilation can be
CO can be prevented. Take a calculated by using the formula
few sensible steps to reduce in Ch.8 of the BSS Essential
the risk dramatically. Guide
Check the cabin vents for
Only buy appliances that meet blockages and build-ups of
the latest standards and are spiders’ webs and debris.
suitable for use in boats.
Open windows for extra
Have appliances properly installed ventilation when cooking,
and serviced routinely by especially when using large
competent fitters. pans on LPG hobs.
Annual servicing of appliances is Check solid fuel stoves for
recommended where the boat is cracks, missing cover plates,
used frequently or for longer warped doors and poor
periods. condition rope seals.
Ensure all repairs use proprietary Follow appliance instructions -
components. Make no mistake, burn the right fuel for your
gash fixes or bodge jobs bring stove, in the right way. Burning
risks. damp fuel or plastic rubbish can
cause clogging of the flue.
Good air supply in the cabin is
vital to running appliances. When removing hot ashes and
embers, use a metal ash bucket
with lid and keep it outside in
the open.
7
Keep flue pipes and terminals in tip top
condition!
Check all appliance flue pipes
Crushing your boat's routinely for rusting, pitting,
chimney terminal on a bridge blockages, loose or missing
arch can damage more than connections.
your pocket.
Look for signs of leaks. A sooty
smear at a flue joint is a bad
Ensure all flues or exhausts vent sign.
on the outside of awnings,
covered decks or cratches. Check that vents and flue
terminals, especially on cabin
A clean flue pipe kept in good tops, are not damaged, blocked
condition will help keep a good or restricted by stowed
draw and help the boat keep free equipment, ropes, tarpaulins or
from toxic flue gasses. decorative objects.
Ensure solid fuel stove chimneys Fix all problems without delay
are swept at least annually, or and before the equipment is
even several times a year - the used again!
more a stove is used, the more
often the chimney needs
cleaning.
8
Beware of engine exhaust gases in the
cabin space!
Inefficient petrol engine
Petrol generators and performance, running the
outboard motors can engine cooler than its design
produce dangerously high temperature or using
levels of carbon monoxide, contaminated or stale fuel, can
but don’t forget, diesel increase the concentration of
engine exhaust fumes have CO in exhaust fumes.
also been linked to illness
Whether the boat is moving or
and deaths.
moored, under certain running
and or wind conditions CO at
Check the boat’s exhaust system dangerous levels can be
routinely. Inspect every part for deflected or drawn in from
leaks or problems including; engine exhausts.
manifolds, pipes, joints, hoses,
clamps, silencers, and Be a good neighbour; see if you
through-hull fittings. can avoid running your engine
when moored in a crowded
Do not install or fix a portable marina, particularly when the
generator inside any air is still.
accommodation space.
Proprietary conversion kits must
be used if adapting a portable
generator to fixed use.
9
Steer clear of danger, never do these
things
Never block cabin ventilators. Never use an appliance you
think is faulty or unsafe.
Never leave LPG appliances on
overnight, unless they are Never use an appliance that has
designed to be left on and/or are a crushed flue terminal.
the room sealed type.
Never run portable generators
Never use mobile (cabinet) gas in a cabin or covered cockpit
heaters - they are not suitable for area, or close to any door,
use in boats and create extra fire opening or ventilator that opens
safety hazards. into the boat.
Never bring lit or cooling bar- Never run a boat’s petrol
becues into a cabin or covered engine with the exhaust outlet
cockpit area – hot charcoal gives restricted in any way including
off dangerous amounts of CO. when the craft moored against
Charcoal is only safe when it’s a high-sided object such as a
stone-cold. wall, another boat or inside a
lock.
Never block an appliance’s air
inlet or heat outlet. Never swim near to boats with
their engines running – many
Never run a solid fuel stove with boats’ exhausts are at low level
its doors open, apart from when and can create a toxic atmos-
refuelling. phere at water level .
10CO alarms save lives
Fit alarms that meet the
Take the belt and braces international standard BS EN
approach but note this, CO 50291-2; these are best suited
alarms are not a substitute for boats. Alarms with life-long
for the good installation, batteries are available.
regular servicing and proper
Look out for the BSi Kitemark or
maintenance of fuel burning
LPCB horseshoe 'approval'
appliances and engines.
symbols when buying alarms for
additional assurance.
If you have any fuel burning
appliances aboard, an engine or If in doubt about the choice of
generator, fit a suitable audible alarm, call the manufacturer’s
carbon monoxide alarm for an or supplier’s support line for
added re-assurance. more advice.
‘Black-spot’ colour-changing If there is potential for CO
indicator cards are not good poisoning on your boat, it is
enough. You won’t have an better to have an alarm, than
instant warning of dangerous CO not.
levels and there’s no alarm to
wake you up. Alarms and warning devices for
people with hearing loss are
available.
11Where should you place your CO alarm?
All cabins with a fuel burning But if the placement directions
appliance should have a CO alarm are difficult to meet on your
fitted. boat, these are the ‘best
practice’ points.
If fuel burning appliances,
generators or engines are used Try to place the alarm:
whilst people sleep, all sleeping
quarters will need their own • In living quarters between 1m
alarms. If the boat has a single and 3m (on plan view) from
multi-use cabin, one alarm is OK. the appliance
• In living quarters fix alarms
high up on a wall, but at least
Never fit an alarm directly 150mm from the ceiling and
above a source of heat or where the indicator lights can
steam. be seen
• In sleeping quarters have the
alarm in the “breathing zone”,
For the best protection, follow the i.e. near the bed head
alarm manufacturer’s installation • Before fixing, test that you
instructions as far as the space can hear an alarm from any
and nature of the boat allow. position in the boat (or buy an
additional alarm)
12Living with your CO alarm
Test the alarms when you first
board the boat. Test the alarm Always re-install any alarm
weekly when the boat is in use. after winterisation. Then test
the alarm before any
CO alarms do not last forever and
appliance or engine is used.
have a replacement date marked
on them. Do not use the alarm
beyond that date and if in any Note these points:
doubt, replace it earlier.
CO alarms only detect, they
When working on the boat with cannot prevent the dangerous
paints, solvents, degreasers or build-up of carbon monoxide
strong chemicals, cover or remove
the alarm temporarily to protect CO alarms may not fully
the sensor. Remember to remove safeguard individuals with
the cover or replace the alarm as specific medical conditions
soon as the air clears and before
you use any appliance or engine. CO alarms will not detect fires,
smoke or leakages of petrol or
Consider removing the alarm LPG fuel vapours
from a winterised boat because
long periods of sub-zero A CO alarm can activate if it
temperatures may affect its senses the explosive gas hydro-
sensor and battery. gen; e.g. from the boat’s
batteries gassing off when
under charge, perhaps
indicating a charging problem
13If you are a tenant afloat
The law provides several additional protections for tenants including
this:
If your landlord has provided LPG appliances, he/she must arrange for
an annual gas safety check to be carried out by a Gas Safe registered
engineer.
If you are a tenant in a rented boat with concerns about CO,
raise the issues with your landlord or letting agent without
delay If your concerns are not dealt with, go to the local council
for help If you feel unwell get medical help straightaway.
Go to www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqtenant.htm for more
information for tenants and the health and safety in privately rented
accommodation pages on www.gov.uk
Further information on CO and boating
For more information on CO and fire safety on boats and routine
safety check items - Boat Safety Scheme:
www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe
For alarm information - Council of Gas Detection and Environmental
Monitoring (CoGDEM) cogdem.org.uk/CoGDEMCOsite/index.html
For general CO advice Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Gas Safety
Advice Line 0800 300 363 www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm
Gas Safe Register – to find registered gas fitters
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
British Marine Federation – to find local boatyards
www.britishmarine.co.uk
14Charities concerned about CO
The Carbon Monoxide and Gas This information is supported by
Safety Society the CoGDEM member
www.co-gassafety.co.uk companies that produce CO
alarms www.cogdem.org.uk
CO-Awareness www.covictim.org
Published with the generous
Gas Safety Trust support of the Gas Safe Charity
www.gas-safety-trust.org.uk – helping directly to make gas
safe where it’s most needed
Gas Safe Charity
www.gassafecharity.org.uk The authors gratefully acknowledge the
assistance of the Public Health England staff
CO-Angels www.co-angels.co.uk especially linked to the medical information.
The authors acknowledge the HSE leaflet
Acknowledgements
‘Gas Appliances - Get them checked, Keep
them Safe’ ref: INDG238 (rev2) and the
CoGDEM is the UK trade body for
Department of Health leaflet 289814
companies and experts in the
’Carbon monoxide: Are you at risk?’ as
field of gas detection. CoGDEM
source documents.
provides its expertise to UK,
European and global Design based on the Fire Safety On Boats
standards-writing bodies, and leaflet with permission from Fire Kills
provides technical guidance and www.gov.uk/firekills
support to all CO
The authors are grateful to Safelincs for its
awareness-raising projects and
help with the artwork www.safelincs.co.uk ,
organisations, including the HSE.
suppliers of smoke alarms, CO alarms and
other safety equipment.
PDF on demand & web realisation by Plan 9
www.plan9.co.uk
15CO threatens lives – stay safe, stay aware: Install fuel burning appliances properly Maintain appliances and engines routinely Use the equipment correctly Don’t allow engine fumes into the cabin space Deal with problems immediately Never bring a lit or cooling BBQ into any covered area Don’t allow bodged repairs and maintenance Install a CO alarm certified to BS EN 50291-2 Test the alarm routinely Never remove the batteries Know the signs of CO poisoning and how to react Copyright belongs to the owners of the Boat Safety Scheme and CoGDEM jointly. This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. Please acknowledge the source as Boat Safety Scheme & CoGDEM. Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper by Greenshires Carbon Monoxide Safety On Boats v3 April 2014
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