January 26, 1998

To: Urban Environment and Development Committee

From: Yaman Uzumeri, P.Eng.

Functional Lead (Building)

Subject: Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Purpose: To recommend a strategy for dealing with Carbon Monoxide problems

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Provincial Government be requested to amend the Ontario Building Code to require installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in all residential occupancies where there are gas or solid fuel burning appliances;

(2) in conjunction with the Toronto Fire Department, the Ontario Fire Marshall be requested to co-ordinate a public information campaign about Carbon Monoxide; and

(3) information be placed in the City of Toronto=s Internet site including links to other relevant sites.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Ontario Building Code requires installation of CO detectors in all new houses where there is a wood burning appliance such as a fireplace or wood stove. However, this provision has been in place for approximately four years and since the Code is not retroactive, it does not apply to houses built prior to 1994.

Carbon Monoxide detectors are required to be:

1. Installed near the ceiling of each room in which there is a solid fuel-burning appliance;

2. Equipped with an alarm that is audible within bedrooms, when the intervening doors are closed;

3. Permanently connected to an electrical circuit without any disconnect switch; and

4. Conforming to standards referenced in the Code.

As part of the national energy conservation program, air leakage into houses is being reduced by improved construction techniques and by the caulking and sealing of existing houses. There is additional concern that increased airtightness may also increase CO related problems.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is produced by incomplete combustion of organic materials. Incomplete combustion may be due to malfunctioning appliances or simply when there is insufficient oxygen for complete combustion. In other words, when areas are not adequately vented. In an industrialized world, it is generally impossible to avoid some exposure to CO.

Most sources of combustion are not 100% efficient. During normal combustion, carbon joins with oxygen to form a harmless gas called carbon dioxide. However, when there is lack of oxygen to ensure complete combustion of the burning fuel, only one atom of oxygen links up with carbon forming carbon monoxide gas.

The following is a list of potential sources where CO may be produced and reach dangerous levels if appropriate steps are not taken.

SOURCES OF CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America. In the United States, the Consumer Safety Commission puts the number of CO home fatalities at an average of 290 per year. Public Health authorities report that every year, a total of 1500 persons die from accidental exposure to high concentrations of CO. In response to this problem, a number of cities, including Chicago, Albany and St. Louis, have passed mandatory CO detector legislation and have embarked on an extensive public education campaign. The last week in September has been declared by President Clinton to be ACarbon Monoxide Safety Awareness Week@.

CO reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. When it is inhaled, the toxic gas enters the bloodstream and attaches itself to the oxygen carrying pigment (hemoglobin) in the red blood cells forming a toxic compound called carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Exposure periods to CO and amount of COHb are the two critical factors, which determine severity of what happens next. CO is not easily removed from the body by our natural defenses and can reach lethal concentrations in a very short period of time. Low COHb levels (%10) result in symptoms commonly mistaken for flu or common cold. At medium levels (%30) the symptoms become more severe; dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches and nausea. At high levels (%50) there may be unconsciousness or death.

This report is an outline of initiatives that can be taken by the City of Toronto to deal with Carbon Monoxide related problems. Appropriate regulatory changes and a well-defined and executed public education initiative can be quite effective in preventing accidental deaths due to CO poisoning.

I have discussed this issue with the Fire Chief, A. Speed. He is very supportive of the initiative, especially with the public education component. He has indicated that in conjunction with the Ontario Fire Marshall=s office, a CO detector campaign may be launched which may also include sale and distribution of free detectors to the needy.

Yaman Uzumeri

395-7513

Yaman Uzumeri, P.Eng.

Functional Lead (Building)

Virginia West

Acting Executive Commissioner

Urban Development Services