Hankey & Brown Inspection Service includes carbon monoxide testing of heating systems (furnaces & boilers), gas water heaters, gas clothes dryers, and indoor ambient air.  We also test gas fired direct vent fireplaces.

Our tests are done with Bacharach single gas detectors and measure the carbon monoxide levels in the vents of the equipment and the indoor air near the equipment.  Typically, the readings indicate the equipment is operating properly (less than 100 parts per million) of carbon monoxide and no carbon monoxide is present in the indoor air.   We issue a separate memo listing the test results.

Occasionally, the tests reveal either that the equipment is making excessive levels of carbon monoxide, OR that carbon monoxide (regardless of the level) is leaking from the equipment, or spilling from the vent connector or its draft regulator. 

Recent carbon monoxide test of 53 year old boiler, leaking 44 ppm of  carbon monoxide into the indoor air.   Immediate repair or replacement recommended.

The production of elevated levels of carbon monoxide, or the spillage of any combustion fumes into the house are both very serious adverse conditions that have the potential to cause deaths to people in just a few hours.  Exposure to lesser amounts of carbon monoxide can cause chronic illness, headaches, and loss of mental & physical functions if the exposure is lengthy.   

For more information on the health effects of carbon monoxide see http://www.coheadquarters.com/CO1.htm

Testing is not required by the ASHI® Standards of Practice, but our view is that in Minnesota, carbon monoxide (CO) is an essential part of a complete home inspection.

One of our CO testing experiences is told in the Sept. 2006 ASHI® Reporter artice entitled: Misunderstanding and Communication