Heating season 2022/2023 – October 1, 2022–March 31, 2023
Komenda Główna Państwowej Straży Pożarnej:
During the autumn and winter period, the risk of fires 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, an increase is also recorded in the number of carbon monoxide poisonings. Carbon monoxide is known as the “silent killer” because it is invisible and has no taste or smell.
The “A Detector on Guard for Your Safety!” campaign is aimed at the public, including children and young people as well as senior citizens. Uniformed officers: – 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.
Firefighters:
The campaign’s primary 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 about the risks associated with fires in apartments or single-family homes, the risks associated with carbon monoxide emissions, ensuring proper evacuation and ways of notifying emergency services. It is important to make campaign audiences aware of the benefits of installing and properly using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in apartments or single-family homes. It is important to remind building owners and managers of their obligation to carry out periodic inspections and clean chimney flues, as well as to check ventilation systems.
Uniformed officers warn and appeal
- 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. Despite this, the greatest number of people die there, and the victims of fires are most often those who caused 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.
- Every year, and especially before the start of the heating season, mandatory periodic inspections and cleaning of chimney flues and checks of ventilation systems should be carried out.
- Państwowa Straż Pożarna recommends installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Państwowa Straż Pożarna reminds people of the obligation to properly maintain the technical condition of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, including replacing batteries. Firefighters are ready to help older people install a detector or replace its batteries.
- Państwowa Straż Pożarna points 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 has highly toxic properties and is lighter than air, which is why it accumulates mainly near the ceiling. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning results from the fact that carbon monoxide is:
- odorless,
- colorless,
- tasteless.
Carbon monoxide blocks the supply of oxygen to the body by taking its place in hemoglobin (red blood cells), causing death in cases of prolonged exposure.
What is the main cause of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The main source of poisoning in residential buildings is the malfunction 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.
Komenda Główna PSP reminds:
Pursuant to § 34 of the Regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of June 7, 2010, on fire protection of buildings, other construction facilities and areas (Journal of Laws No. 109, item 719), in facilities where solid, liquid or gaseous fuel is burned, pollutants are 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 hearths of collective catering and food-service establishments;
- at least once a year, pollutants are removed from ventilation ducts. In turn, Article 62(1)(1)(c) of the Construction Law of July 7, 1994 (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 243, item 1624) obliges owners and managers of apartment blocks and single-family homes.
What can be done 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 cover ventilation grilles.
- When replacing windows with new ones, check that the ventilation is working properly. New windows are usually much more airtight than those previously used in the building and may worsen ventilation.
Do not ignore symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, shortness of breath, drowsiness, weakness or an accelerated heartbeat; they may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning.
