The incident occurred on Saturday, 12 October, after 10 p.m., in one of the high-rise buildings on Jana Pawła II Street. Firefighters were called to the scene. The reason? Carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide was present in two apartments. The officers evacuated four people.
The injured people were treated by a medical rescue team.
A reminder. A nationwide educational and informational campaign is underway concerning the risks of fires breaking out in apartments or single-family homes and carbon monoxide poisoning: “A detector guarding your safety!”
What about the 2019–2020 heating season?
During the autumn and winter period, the risk of fires breaking out in apartments and single-family homes increases in our country. They most often result from defects in, or improper use of, heating, electrical and gas appliances.
During the same period, there is also an increase in the number of carbon monoxide poisonings. Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer” because it is invisible and has no taste or smell.
The campaign is aimed at the public, including children and young people as well as senior citizens. KG PSP says:
Educating the youngest is an excellent investment in the future, as children share the knowledge they acquire in conversations with adults. The campaign consists of several areas, including education, information and promotion.
The campaign’s main objective is to reduce the number of victims of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in apartments and single-family homes. Its specific objectives are to increase knowledge of the risks associated with fires in apartments or single-family homes, the dangers of carbon monoxide emissions, proper evacuation and ways of notifying emergency services. It is also important to make campaign audiences aware of the benefits of installing and properly using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in apartments and single-family homes.
It is important to remind building owners and managers of their obligation to have chimney flues inspected and cleaned periodically and to check ventilation systems.
The officers add:
Every year, tens of thousands of fires and several thousand incidents involving carbon monoxide emissions occur in our apartments and homes. Our home is the place where each of us feels safest. Nevertheless, this is precisely where the greatest number of people die, and the victims of fires are most often those responsible for causing them.
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. It cannot be detected by human senses. You will NOT hear carbon monoxide! You will NOT see it! You will NOT smell it!
During the heating season, the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in residential buildings increases. Sources of carbon monoxide emissions include heating appliances fired by wood, coal, gas and heating oil.
What do firefighters advise?
Every year, and especially before the start of the heating season, mandatory periodic inspections and cleaning of chimney flues should be carried out, and the ventilation system should be checked.
The State Fire Service recommends installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It also reminds people of the obligation to maintain the proper technical condition of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, including replacing their batteries. Firefighters are ready to help older people install a detector or replace its batteries.
KG PSP emphasizes:
We point out that a carbon monoxide detector does not replace a technical inspection of ventilation and chimney flues.
Where does carbon monoxide come from, and why is it so dangerous?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is produced during the incomplete combustion of combustible materials. It is highly toxic and lighter than air, which is why it mainly accumulates near the ceiling. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning results from the fact that carbon monoxide is:
- odorless
- colorless
- tasteless.
Carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from reaching the body by taking its place in hemoglobin (red blood cells), causing death after prolonged exposure.
What is the main cause of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The main source of poisoning in residential buildings is the faulty condition of chimney flues: ventilation and smoke flues. Their improper operation may result from:
- leaks
- lack of maintenance, including cleaning
- structural defects
- failure to adapt the existing ventilation system to the airtightness standards of the windows and doors used, following the replacement of old windows and doors with new ones.
The officers say:
A REMINDER!
Under §34 of the Regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of 7 June 2010 on fire protection of buildings, other structures and sites (Journal of Laws No. 109, item 719), in facilities where solid, liquid or gaseous fuel is burned, pollutants must be removed from smoke and flue-gas ducts:
- four times a year in homes heated with solid fuel, such as coal or wood
- twice a year in homes heated with liquid or gaseous fuel
- at least once a month, unless local regulations provide otherwise, from the furnaces of collective catering and food-service establishments
- ventilation ducts must be cleaned at least once a year.
In turn, Article 62(1)(1c) of the Construction Law of 7 July 1994 (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 243, item 1624) obliges owners and managers of apartment blocks and single-family homes to periodically inspect, at least once a year, the technical condition of gas installations and chimney flues, including smoke, flue-gas and ventilation ducts.
They also add:
OUR ADVICE!
What can you do to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning?
- clean, check the tightness of and carry out technical inspections of chimney flues regularly
- use only technically sound appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
- do not obstruct or cover heating appliances
- do not seal or obstruct ventilation grilles
- when replacing windows with new ones, check that the ventilation system is operating correctly; new windows are usually much more airtight than those previously used in the building and may worsen ventilation
- do not disregard symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, shortness of breath, drowsiness, weakness and an increased heart rate; they may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning. (In such a situation, immediately ventilate the room you are in and seek medical advice.)