Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Effective:          09-01-22

Supersedes:    

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Products powered by an internal combustion engine such as portable generators, automobiles, lawn mowers, and power washers produce CO.  Carbon monoxide from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. 

Common symptoms of early CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, altered mental status, nausea or vomiting, weakness or difficulty breathing—symptoms that may prompt an EMS response.  Equipping responding EMS personnel with a portable carbon monoxide detector could help identify environments with potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.   

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The Honeywell BW Clip is a portable, single-gas detector designed to continuously measure the concentration of Carbon Monoxide in the ambient environment, and activate an alarm when concentrations exceed alarm set points. 

The units are designed to be maintenance free: no sensor or battery changes are necessary.  The unit automatically performs one internal diagnostic test every 24 hours.  If the internal diagnostic test fails, the diagnostic fail-safe begins.

Required Equipment

A portable carbon monoxide monitor is a required piece of equipment for every licensed ambulance.  The device will be affixed to each BLS “First-In” bag, and the “Primary Bag” in ALS units.  At the start of each shift, the team member performing the equipment checkout will ensure the device is present and the display screen is in normal operating mode with no error messages.  Any suspected issues with the device should be reported to a Supervisor for resolution and noted in a “Problem Report” via TraumaSoft Scheduling software.  

Alarms and Warnings

An alarm is initiated when the sensor is exposed to a gas concentration that exceeds alarm set points.  The device will beep, flash, and vibrate when in alarm.  The alarm persists until the gas concentration returns to an acceptable range.

Alarm Activations

When operating in an area where elevated levels of carbon monoxide are suspected, personnel should direct all those potentially exposed to a ventilated area as quickly as possible, and notify the appropriate Fire Department and ancillary agencies as needed.

Quick Reference Guide:          sps-his-bwclip-qrg-rev-b2-en.pdf (honeywell.com)