 |
|
01-26-2008, 06:41 PM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 298
|
Carbon monoxide hazards are real
|
|
Last week, my buddy and I experienced a pretty severe episode of CO poisoning while brewing in the garage. I became very light-headed, and he nearly lost conciseness.
Yesterday we brought along an OSHA-type CO monitoring device, and were able to determine the source was the hot liquor tank burner. Combination of dirty/corroded burner and burner placed too close to the bottom of the HLT nearly "snuffing" the burner flame were causing incomplete propane combustion and massive amounts of CO.
Lucky that we were familiar with the signs and symptoms of CO exposure, and could measure levels accurately to pinpoint a source. Levels returned to normal following a burner cleaning and burner repositioning.
Keep those burners clean and watch out for incomplete combustion. Pay attention to proper ventilation. We're going to have a full-time monitor in our garage for CO from here on out.
Last edited by drayman86; 03-24-2008 at 10:57 AM.
|
|
|
|
01-26-2008, 06:51 PM
|
#2
|
|
Isolationist Ales
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: , Nebraska
Posts: 4,378
|
Good warning, thanks for posting this - I'm glad you and your friend made it through alive to tell the story!
Be safe, all!
__________________
For each airlock bubble you count, I will shiv you. Bubbles are not for counting.
Chriso || SMaSH Brewers, Unite! || Nebraska Brewers! || Lincoln Lagers Brew Club
"You have just experienced the paradigm shift that is....all grain brewing." - BierMuncher || StarSan: "Couple squirts and the nasties are toast." - Revvy
|
|
|
|
|
01-26-2008, 07:07 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,106
|
Indeed. CO poisoning can be very dangerous, and it can take a long time for its effects to wane.
__________________
Primary: Cherrywood Smoked Porter
60 Minute IPA
Secondary:
On tap:Amber Ale
Milk Stout
Lagering:
http://www.lazydogbrewery.com
|
|
|
|
|
01-26-2008, 07:38 PM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 246
|
Glad to hear you two are ok. I hope you went to the hospital to get checked out. After an exposure that almost made you lose consciousness it is a good idea to have the blood, etc checked, as those were probably some pretty high levels.
|
|
|
|
|
01-26-2008, 08:14 PM
|
#5
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 5,600
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by drayman86
We're going to have a full-time monitor in our garage for CO from here on out.
|
Now that sounds like a mandatory piece of equipment for anyone who brews in an enclosed area with a propane burner!
__________________
Cheers,
Rich
|
|
|
|
|
01-27-2008, 03:27 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 6,887
|
props to you for posting this. it can be a real problem when people don't think about CO poisoning when brewing in confined spaces.
I'm very glad you and your buddy were aware of the potential and recognized the early symptoms, since CO poisoning is such a rapid progression to unconsciousness.
And I definitely agree, the $20 CO monitor is worth it for garage/basement brewers. I know BierMuncher brews in his basement, with a vent fan running and a CO monitor nearby.
__________________
Malkore
Primary: English Mild
On tap: Pale Ale, Lancelot's Wheat, English Brown Ale, Steam Beer, HoovNuts IPA
Bottled: MOAM, Braggot, Raspberry Melomel, Merlot, Apfelwein, Pyment, Sweet mead, Cabernet
Gal in 2009: 27, Gal in 2010: 34, Gal in 2011: 13, Gal in 2012: 10
|
|
|
|
|
01-27-2008, 03:49 PM
|
#7
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 582
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by malkore
And I definitely agree, the $20 CO monitor is worth it for garage/basement brewers.
|
Yup, it's a must. If I were doing all-grain and didn't have one, I'd brave the 10-15F and brew it outside. (Unfortunately AG will be for this summer)
__________________
MOD EDIT: Sig only takes up 6 lines now. Fermenting: Apple cider x 2, Doppelbock, Red, Oatmeal Stout, West Coast IPA x 2
Bottle conditioning: RIS
Keg conditioning: La Fin du Monde clone
On tap: Maudite clone, Double Munchen, Oktoberfeast, Oktoberfest Pilsner
Planning: Brewed in 2011: 22 (2010: 15, 2009: 29, 2008: 21, 2007: 1)
Wine made in 2010: 6 kits (2009: 19, 2008: 30)
|
|
|
|
|
01-27-2008, 04:43 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 5,600
|
I stickied this thread. This is an extremely important issue that everyone should be aware of.
__________________
Cheers,
Rich
|
|
|
|
|
01-27-2008, 05:18 PM
|
#9
|
|
...My Junk is Ugly...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 11,405
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by malkore
...I know BierMuncher brews in his basement, with a vent fan running and a CO monitor nearby...
|
Two vent fans. One box fan in the window blowing out...and one box fan at the door blowing in. A nice cross wind keeps the brew shop cooler too.
It must work cuz I saw my neighbor last night and he said he can smell the coooking wort all the way in his kitchen when I'm brewing.  |
|
|
|
|
01-27-2008, 05:19 PM
|
#10
|
|
Grouchy Old Fart
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Eldorado, WI
Posts: 7,545
|
Agreed. And CO poisoning can happen in the house, too. Or anywhere there is a heat source that uses combustibles. One thing to note: one of the first signs of CO poisoning is a nasty, nasty headache.
__________________
I like to squeeze the nickle until the buffalo craps-mt rob
"Why don't we get drunk and screw?" Jimmy Buffett
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
|
|
