I live in the condo unit directly above the Reznor garage heater. We are supplied by city gas. Yesterday when the heater kicked on my condo was filled with a hideous odor particular in the area directly above the heater. What could be the cause and what should I do about this? My CO detector did not activate. I am noticing a bit of dizziness. Also, related or not, my humidity level is quite low (a bit under 25) even with a humidifer running. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Condo with underground heated garage by Reznor unit
- Thread starter dizzy
- Start date
CO detectors have a life of around 5 years, if it's older then that replace it.
UL listed CO detectors also must be over so many ppm for so long before they alert, you can be poisoned even with a properly working detector.
Call the gas utility and have them come out to do a CO check, if they don't do it in your area the local fire department most likely will. If you are feeling dizzy or sick leave your condo until a check for CO has been completed, CO poisoning is not something that should ever be taken lightly.
UL listed CO detectors also must be over so many ppm for so long before they alert, you can be poisoned even with a properly working detector.
Call the gas utility and have them come out to do a CO check, if they don't do it in your area the local fire department most likely will. If you are feeling dizzy or sick leave your condo until a check for CO has been completed, CO poisoning is not something that should ever be taken lightly.
CO detectors have a life of around 5 years, if it's older then that replace it.
UL listed CO detectors also must be over so many ppm for so long before they alert, you can be poisoned even with a properly working detector.
Call the gas utility and have them come out to do a CO check, if they don't do it in your area the local fire department most likely will. If you are feeling dizzy or sick leave your condo until a check for CO has been completed, CO poisoning is not something that should ever be taken lightly.
Yes, agree 100% and add many co detectors won't alarm till 400 ppm, lethal dose is around 100 ppm, and the fire department will be wearing self contained breathing gear if levels are over 35 ppm.
Good co detectors won't set an alarm till 40 or 50 ppm.
Google nsi national safety institute co monitors, alarms at 15 ppm after 5 min, they're not cheap but they are good for 7 years and when you are trusting something with your life who wants the cheapest.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
CO is odorless and colorless.
CO is odorless and colorless.
True but the improper combustion that often causes CO will give off an odor, I hace always thought of it as a "sweet" smell but I'm sure others may call it something else. CO can be present for sure with out the odor but every-time I've smelled that odor there has been CO.
I cant' thank you enough. I will have someone out asap and have our CO detectors updated. I think they are 8 years old. I am new to the building and finding all kinds of items that have been overlooked. The smell is odd...almost a sweet, musty, old exhaust smell.
OK....I had the fire department come and check the heater/garage and my condo. Neither detected CO...when my 14 year old daughter returned home today, after 5 hours or so of being home she complained of nausea, throat irritation, light headed, headache (and I did not tell her I had the fire department here). I did turn off the reznor heater in the garage as it did out put an awful smell for a method of elimination.
She too feels better in my bedroom (the smell is in her room and hall outside of it). I feel like I am losing my mind or something. I can't figure it out. Any other thoughts?
She too feels better in my bedroom (the smell is in her room and hall outside of it). I feel like I am losing my mind or something. I can't figure it out. Any other thoughts?
stingry
Well-known member
OK....I had the fire department come and check the heater/garage and my condo. Neither detected CO...when my 14 year old daughter returned home today, after 5 hours or so of being home she complained of nausea, throat irritation, light headed, headache (and I did not tell her I had the fire department here). I did turn off the reznor heater in the garage as it did out put an awful smell for a method of elimination.
She too feels better in my bedroom (the smell is in her room and hall outside of it). I feel like I am losing my mind or something. I can't figure it out. Any other thoughts?
Have the gas company come out and check for you. They can check for other products of combustion, not just CO.
koditten
Well-known member
I hate it when a new member checks out after getting their answer. I hope, in this case, its not the permanant check out. I'll be honest, I worry when people get a little too much info and not enough encouragement to get the professional involved quickly.
KO
KO
HoosierBuddy
Well-known member
OK....I had the fire department come and check the heater/garage and my condo. Neither detected CO...when my 14 year old daughter returned home today, after 5 hours or so of being home she complained of nausea, throat irritation, light headed, headache (and I did not tell her I had the fire department here). I did turn off the reznor heater in the garage as it did out put an awful smell for a method of elimination.
She too feels better in my bedroom (the smell is in her room and hall outside of it). I feel like I am losing my mind or something. I can't figure it out. Any other thoughts?
You need to take your daughter to the emergency room. They can run a blood analysis and determine if she's been exposed to CO.
All the gas co. or FD can tell you is what they note in the air while they are there. Just because they didn't find any doesn't mean she hasn't been poisoned. This is nothing to mess with. If someone in the circumstances above (suspected CO) shows CO symptoms (nausea, dizziness, etc.) they need to get to the ER. The next symptoms in order are unconsciousness, paralysis, and then death. Nothing to mess with!
CO will remain in the blood of a CO poisoning victim for a long time. A simple blood test will provide the DEFINITIVE answer.
Phil
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