An Ottawa resident learned an important lesson Friday morning when a faulty boiler released dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas.
The incident began early in the day when a resident of Amiens Street began to feel queasy. An alarm confirmed dangerous levels of carbon monoxide was in the air.
The resident called 911 to report the incident. He was told to leave his residence into the fresh air while awaiting firefighters.
OFS public information officer Nick DeFazio said firefighters immediately confirmed high levels of carbon monoxide were registered right inside the front door.
Donning protective gear, firefighters began a search and found even higher levels of CO in the basement near the boiler and hot water tank.
High-powered fans were brought in to dissipate the gas from the home.
Exposure to CO levels above 70 parts per million (ppm) can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea, while prolonged exposure above 150 ppm can be life-threatening.
Ottawa Fire Services recommends that fuel-burning appliances and vents are inspected annually.
In Ontario, residential buildings must have a working carbon monoxide alarm if they have an attached garage, a woodburning fireplace, or a fuel-fired appliance, such as a gas stove, gas water heater, or gas fireplace.
Provincial regulations also set out inspection requirements for residential fuel-burning equipment in homes.
Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.
