Carbon Monoxide Detectors

[ShinySnail]

I know that it would be a good idea to get one, as everybody else seems to have one 

What would produce the carbon monoxide, and are there any other fumes that wouldn't be detectable?

I read a post a while ago (can't find it now!) from somebody who said that it's pointless getting one to use as a lampworking safety measure as the dangerous fumes given off are not carbon monoxide - but I can easily find posts from other people who say that their alrams have been going off whilst torching.

Can anybody advise please?

I live in a bedsit, so there is no escape from the kiln and the torch, and when my annealing cycle is on i'm normally tucked up in bed with no windows open!
I emailed a few kiln people when I first got my kiln and they reassured me that after the initial firing the fumes coming from the kiln are perfectly safe to breathe, but this carbon monoxide thing is bothering me a bit! Any advice would be much appreciated,

Thanks,
Anna

[Glyn Burton]

hi Anna,
Carbon monoxide could be produced by the incomplete burning of fuel so theoretically a reducing flame could produce it so a detector wouldn't hurt  but the risk is very small. There can be metalic fumes come bead making which can be hazardous to health which is why people use ventilation.
If your kiln is electric then there is no problem with that at all think of it as just another sort of oven.

[Blue Box Studio]

I have one because it was suggested this was a good idea.  I was surprised when it was going off one evening (not that anyone around here took any notice of the loud beep coming from my shedio) an it turned out to be the charcoal in my kiln for my silver glass setting it off.  Mine's very loud!  So I guess, were  I to make beads, and have the kiln annealing with charcoal, and not have my ventilation on, I might come a cropper.  I think the draught through my shedio would remove some of the damage, but who wants to take the risk?  You can pick them up in Aldi ir Lidl special offers occasionally.  Sign up for their weekly newsletters.

[Redhotsal]

Normally, I would say don't bother, as carbon monoxide is only a small part of the nasty cocktail of fumes that normal glass melting produces. You'll get a lot of carbon dioxide, quite a bit of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide which won't be picked up by the detector. If you fume or use silvered glass you'll get quite a few metallic vapours in the atmosphere which won't do you any good either, so if you don't do anything else do make sure you have a GOOD ventilation system in place.

You do have the kiln going overnight though, and that could be a problem if, as others have said there is any form of reduction happening - as with charcoal. People have been killed by sleeping in confined areas next to barely smouldering charcoal bbqs, for example.

My point is that if you LIVE in the area where you are making the beads then I would take every precaution going, so a CO detector can't actually do any harm. Get a smoke detector too and definately a fire extinguisher. I think, if it's a rented bedsit I would be more worried about the fire safety and insurance implications of bead making in a rented living area - especially if you are above ground floor. I know it's not possible for everyone to have their own specialised area for bead making but PLEASE consider very carefully whether you putting yourself or others at risk. Do a risk assessment - for your own benefit and know exactly what you will do should an emergency arise.

[GaysieMay]

I'm personally glad that I have one, as despite having my ventilation on with the window open for the ducting, and working in a large open plan kitchen diner, mine went off the other week while I was at the torch.  Kev and my youngest were in the lounge and came through, we opened the window and back door and stood outside for about 5 mins, when I went back in and reset it all was quiet.  We only had it as Kev had bought a couple of extra ones while kitting out some rental properties it gave us both quite a scare and we since put another upstairs near our boiler.

[Nick]

Here is a link to a previous thread and to a supplier I sometimes use who are very reasonably priced and give good customer service. They had a sale on monitors but not sure if its still on, but could be worth checking.

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=33879.0

[ShinySnail]

Ohhh thanks very much everybody, lots to think about - I didn't even consider insurance shenanigans so will have to look into that too.
I have very good ventilation (but i do switch it off 15 mins or so after ramping up to a soak) a fire alarm, extinguisher and also keep the propane in a covered locked metal cage outside on the balcony.



I'll check out those detectors for sure, just in case x

[stuwaudby]

Load of information here: http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=20013.0

In summary, if you start to feel light headed, tired, nauseous then stop torching and go outside and then open a window when you come back in. The effects of Carbon Dioxide wear off very quickly but it take over half an hour for Carbon Monoxide to subside in your blood.

Carbon monoxide detectors are primarily to protect you while sleeping and provide a warning for those unfamiliar with the symptoms. No harm in having one in your studio. If you have a gas fire or non-balanced flue gas boiler then it is essential that you have one.

Every house should have at least one smoke detector.

[Jellybean]

My list of 'needed things' is growing....