CARBON MONOXIDESAFETY ON BOATS

How to protect you, your crew, your visitors and pets onyour boat from the 'Silent Killer' - Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide... what's the risk ?When carbon-based, applianceand engine fuels, such as gas,LPG, coal, wood, paraffin, oil,petrol and diesel don’t burncompletely, CO is produced.

 

Each year boaters die or aremade seriously ill fromcarbon monoxide (CO)poisoning.

Boats are built to keep waterout, but this also makesthem good containers forgases and fumes.

CO build-up in the cabin canoccur with one or a mix ofthese factors:

• Faulty, badly maintained ormisused appliances

• Exhaust fumes from a boat’sengine or generator

• Escaped flue gases from solidfuel stoves

• Blocked ventilation or shortsupply of air - fuel needsoxygen to burn safely

In recent years, solid fuel stovesand engine or generatorexhaust gases have beenresponsible for most deaths ofboaters from CO poisoning.

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How the silent killer works!

CO can kill in minutes - beprepared to act quickly if youthink you are beingpoisoned!

CO is a highly poisonous gas thatweighs about the same as air.

At high concentrations, CO can killwithout warning, sometimes inonly minutes.

It cannot be seen, smelt, tasted,or felt, that’s why it’s known asthe silent killer!

When you breathe in CO, itreplaces the oxygen in yourbloodstream, preventing essentialsupplies to your body tissues,heart, brain and other vitalorgans.

Where victims survive severe COpoisoning, they can be left withlong-term brain damage such aspoorer concentration, or moodswings, etc.

But even breathing-in lowerlevels of CO over a longerperiod, you can still sufferserious effects such as memoryproblems and difficultyconcentrating.

Some people will be affectedmuch more quickly:

• Pregnant women and unbornbabies;

• Babies and young children• Older people• People with respiratoryproblems or heart conditions

For other reasons, some people may be at higher risk:

• Those who have been doingsomething active and arebreathing more rapidly anddeeply and have a greaterneed for oxygen

• Those who have beendrinking heavily - because thesymptoms may be masked

If CO is in your cabin space,everyone is at risk, no one isimmune!

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CO poisoning can creep up on you –recognise the signsIf you are asleep, you may notnotice any symptoms as theydevelop.

Even if you are awake

We have listed some of thecommon symptoms, but noteveryone suffering CO poisoningwill have all of them.

Common symptoms include:

• Headache and bad temper• Feeling sick and dizzy• Feeling tired and confused• Stomach pains and being sick

For more information visitthe NHS websitehttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning

The greater the amount of COthere is in air, or the longer youare breathing in CO, the worseyour symptoms may get:

• Drowsiness, lethargy, extremetiredness, difficultyconcentrating

• A feeling of general weakness,difficulty in walking or moving

• Loss of balance and sight andmemory problems

...and with very high CO levels

• Chest pains• Increased heart rate• Difficulty breathing orbreathlessness

• Seizures• Collapse, unconsciousnessand death

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If you think you are suffering – ACTQUICKLY

Fast action could save yourlife. Ask yourself 'Are peopleill on my boat, but feel OKashore?'

If you suspect you have carbonmonoxide poisoning or the COalarm activates, you need to actfast.

Get all people and pets out tofresh air as quickly as you can andstay out in the fresh air.

If you can, on your way out, turnoff appliances and engines…

…also leave doors, windows andawnings open to allow fresh air toflow through the boat.

Seek medical help and don’tdelay! Tell the doctor or nursethat you may have sufferedcarbon monoxide poisoning.

If other crew members, or pets,are feeling ill or have thesymptoms, they need medicalhelp too.

Anyone with severe symptomsneeds to get to hospital asquickly as possible! Contact theemergency servicesstraightaway.

Severe CO poisoning needsimmediate medical treatment

CO poisoning can only be testedshortly after exposure as itstraces begin to disappear assoon as you start breathingclear air.

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Know any danger signs on your boat

Routine checking that yourboat’s fuel-burningappliances and engines arefree from signs of problemsand in good condition willhelp keep you safe.

Any of the following could besigns that CO is filling your boat:

• Staining, sooty smears, ordiscolouration on surfacesaround an appliance or its flue

• Appliances that are difficult tolight, keep lit or burn weakly

• Burners with yellow or orangeor ‘floppy’ flames that threatento go out

If there's a CO problem onyour boat - get a properlyqualified person to find andfix the appliance or enginebefore it is used again.

• An unfamiliar or burning smellwhen an LPG or oil applianceis on

• Smelling or seeing smokeescaping regularly into thecabin when running yourwood-burner or coal stove

Flue gases from solid fuelstoves can have up to 100times the concentrations ofCO found in gas hob-burnerswith problems.

• Smelling engine exhaustfumes regularly inside thecockpit or cabin. If those arepetrol engine fumes anyone inthe cabin could be inimmediate danger.

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How to prevent CO on your boat

CO can be prevented. Take afew sensible steps to reducethe risk dramatically.

Only buy appliances that meetthe latest standards and aresuitable for use in boats.

Have appliances properly installedand serviced routinely bycompetent fitters.

Annual servicing of appliances isrecommended where the boat isused frequently or for longerperiods.

Ensure all repairs use proprietarycomponents. Make no mistake,gash fixes or bodge jobs bringrisks.

Good air supply in the cabin isvital to running appliances.

The required ventilation can becalculated by using the formulain Ch.8 of the BSS EssentialGuide

Check the cabin vents forblockages and build-ups ofspiders’ webs and debris.

Open windows for extraventilation when cooking,especially when using largepans on LPG hobs.

Check solid fuel stoves forcracks, missing cover plates,warped doors and poorcondition rope seals.

Follow appliance instructions -burn the right fuel for yourstove, in the right way. Burningdamp fuel or plastic rubbish cancause clogging of the flue.

When removing hot ashes andembers, use a metal ash bucketwith lid and keep it outside inthe open.

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Keep flue pipes and terminals in tip topcondition!

Crushing your boat'schimney terminal on a bridgearch can damage more thanyour pocket.

Ensure all flues or exhausts venton the outside of awnings,covered decks or cratches.

A clean flue pipe kept in goodcondition will help keep a gooddraw and help the boat keep freefrom toxic flue gasses.

Ensure solid fuel stove chimneysare swept at least annually, oreven several times a year - themore a stove is used, the moreoften the chimney needscleaning.

Check all appliance flue pipesroutinely for rusting, pitting,blockages, loose or missingconnections.

Look for signs of leaks. A sootysmear at a flue joint is a badsign.

Check that vents and flueterminals, especially on cabintops, are not damaged, blockedor restricted by stowedequipment, ropes, tarpaulins ordecorative objects.

Fix all problems without delayand before the equipment isused again!

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Exhaust gases are killers in the cabin!

Petrol engines, portablegenerators & outboardsproduce dangerously highlevels of carbon monoxide.

Inefficient petrol engineperformance can increase theconcentration of CO in exhaustfumes. So, use and maintainengines as specified in theoperating instructions includingroutine servicing and using thecorrect fuel.

Check exhaust systems routinely.Where accessible, inspect anymanifolds, pipes, joints, hoses,clamps, silencers, andthrough-hull fittings for leaks orproblems.

Avoid improvising portablegenerators for fixed use as thesehave led to boater deaths andinjuries.

Stay aware of the risks whenrunning engines

Whether the boat is moving ormoored, under certain runningand or wind conditions, CO atdangerous levels can bedeflected or drawn in frompetrol engine exhausts.

With a moving boat and evenwhen moored, cockpit awningscan act as a funnel to drawengine fumes inside the boat.

Be a good neighbour; avoidrunning your engine whenmoored in a crowded marina,particularly when the air is still.

Don’t underestimate therisks from diesel exhaustsgases, these have also beenlinked to illness and deaths.

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Steer clear of danger, never do thesethingsNever block cabin ventilators.

Never leave LPG appliances onovernight, unless they aredesigned to be left on and/or arethe room sealed type.

Never use mobile (cabinet) gasheaters - they are not suitable foruse in boats and create extra firesafety hazards.

Never bring lit or cooling bar-becues into a cabin or coveredcockpit area – hot charcoal givesoff dangerous amounts of CO.Charcoal is only safe when it’sstone-cold.

Never block an appliance’s airinlet or heat outlet.

Never run a solid fuel stove withits doors open, apart from whenrefuelling.

Never use an appliance youthink is faulty or unsafe.

Never use an appliance that hasa crushed flue terminal.

Never run portable generatorsin a cabin or covered cockpitarea, or close to any door,opening or ventilator that opensinto the boat.

Never run a boat’s petrolengine with the exhaust outletrestricted in any way includingwhen the craft moored againsta high-sided object such as awall, another boat or inside alock.

Never swim near to boats withtheir engines running – manyboats’ exhausts are at low leveland can create a toxic atmos-phere at water level .

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CO alarms save lives

Take the belt and bracesapproach but note this, COalarms are not a substitutefor the good installation,regular servicing and propermaintenance of fuel burningappliances and engines.

If you have any fuel burningappliances aboard, an engine orgenerator, fit a suitable audiblecarbon monoxide alarm for anadded re-assurance.

‘Black-spot’ colour-changingindicator cards are not goodenough. You won’t have aninstant warning of dangerous COlevels and there’s no alarm towake you up.

Fit alarms that meet theinternational standard BS EN50291-2; these are best suitedfor boats. Alarms with life-longbatteries are available.

Look out for the BSi Kitemark orLPCB horseshoe 'approval'symbols when buying alarms foradditional assurance.

If in doubt about the choice ofalarm, call the manufacturer’sor supplier’s support line formore advice. Also see the BSSwebsite for the current list ofCO alarm models suited for boatuse.

If there is potential for COpoisoning on your boat, it isbetter to have an alarm, thannot.

Alarms and warning devices forpeople with hearing loss areavailable.

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Where should you place your CO alarm?All cabins with a fuel burningappliance should have a CO alarmfitted.

If fuel burning appliances,generators or engines are usedwhilst people sleep, all sleepingquarters will need their ownalarms. If the boat has a singlemulti-use cabin, one alarm is OK.

Never fit an alarm directlyabove a source of heat orsteam.

For the best protection, follow thealarm manufacturer’s installationinstructions as far as the spaceand nature of the boat allow.

But if the placement directionsare difficult to meet on yourboat, these are the ‘bestpractice’ points.

Try to place the alarm:

• In living quarters between 1mand 3m (on plan view) fromthe appliance

• In living quarters fix alarmshigh up on a wall, but at least150mm from the ceiling andwhere the indicator lights canbe seen

• In sleeping quarters have thealarm in the “breathing zone”,i.e. near the bed head

• Before fixing, test that youcan hear an alarm from anyposition in the boat (or buy anadditional alarm) 

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Living with your CO alarmTest the alarms when you firstboard the boat. Test the alarmweekly when the boat is in use.

CO alarms do not last forever andhave a replacement date markedon them. Do not use the alarmbeyond that date and if in anydoubt, replace it earlier.

When working on the boat withpaints, solvents, degreasers orstrong chemicals, cover or removethe alarm temporarily to protectthe sensor. Remember to removethe cover or replace the alarm assoon as the air clears and beforeyou use any appliance or engine.

Consider removing the alarmfrom a winterised boat becauselong periods of sub-zerotemperatures may affect itssensor and battery.

Always re-install any alarmafter winterisation. Then testthe alarm before anyappliance or engine is used.

Note these points:

CO alarms only detect, theycannot prevent the dangerousbuild-up of carbon monoxide

CO alarms may not fullysafeguard individuals withspecific medical conditions

CO alarms will not detect fires,smoke or leakages of petrol orLPG fuel vapours

A CO alarm can activate if itsenses the explosive gas hydro-gen; e.g. from the boat’sbatteries gassing off whenunder charge, perhapsindicating a charging problem 

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If you are a tenant afloatThe law provides several additional protections for tenants includingthis:

If your landlord has provided LPG appliances, he/she must arrange foran annual gas safety check to be carried out by a Gas Safe registeredengineer.

If you are a tenant in a rented boat with concerns about CO,raise the issues with your landlord or letting agent withoutdelay If your concerns are not dealt with, go to the local councilfor help If you feel unwell get medical help straightaway.

Go to www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqtenant.htm for moreinformation for tenants and the health and safety in privately rentedaccommodation pages on www.gov.uk

Further information on CO and boating

For more information on CO and fire safety on boats and routinesafety check items - Boat Safety Scheme: www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe

For alarm information - Council of Gas Detection and EnvironmentalMonitoring (CoGDEM) carbonmonoxidenewsuk.wordpress.com/56-2/

For general CO advice Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Gas SafetyAdvice 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 – to find local boatyards  www.britishmarine.co.uk

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Charities concerned aboutCarbon Monoxide

The Carbon Monoxide and GasSafety Societywww.co-gassafety.co.uk

CO-Awareness www.covictim.org

Gas Safety Trustwww.gas-safety-trust.org.uk

Gas Safe Charitywww.gassafecharity.org.uk

CO-Angels www.co-angels.co.uk

Acknowledgements

CoGDEM is the UK trade body forcompanies and experts in thefield of gas detection. CoGDEMprovides its expertise to UK,European and globalstandards-writing bodies, andprovides technical guidance andsupport to all COawareness-raising projects andorganisations, including the HSE.

 

 

This information is supported bythe CoGDEM membercompanies that produce COalarms  www.cogdem.org.uk

Published with the generoussupport of Ei Electronics –"Kitemarked long life CO alarmsmanufactured in Ireland forboat use"; and Kidde Safety – "Aworld leading manufacturer ofsmoke and carbon monoxidealarms".

The authors are grateful for thehelp of Public Health Englandstaff with our leaflet’s contentand acknowledgewww.nhs.uk/Conditions/Carbon-monoxide-poisoning as asource of medical information.We highly recommend readingthe additional NHS informationon CO.

Design based on the Fire SafetyOn Boats leaflet withpermission from Fire Killswww.gov.uk/firekills

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CO threatens lives – stay safe, stay aware:

Install fuel burning appliances properly

Maintain appliances and engines routinely

Use the equipment correctly

Don’t block cabin ventilators

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 andCoGDEM jointly. This publication may be freely reproduced, exceptfor advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. Pleaseacknowledge the source as Boat Safety Scheme & CoGDEM.

Printed with vegetable based inks on recycled paper by Greenshires

Carbon Monoxide Safety On Boats v3.1 December 2016