Multiple carbon monoxide detectors force evacuation of residential building in southeast Calgary, home and school in northeast Calgary. ...
Calgary firefighters responded to multiple carbon monoxide alarms across the city on Thursday.
At 11:30 a.m., firefighters were called to a 48-unit apartment complex at 4975 130 Ave. S.E. by a number of residents whose alarms were going off.
Firefighters found CO2 levels of 200 parts per million (ppm) in the lobby and up to 520 ppm in the building's hallways and common areas.
Firefighters activated the fire alarm and everyone in the building was evacuated to a nearby building. TAK went to the scene to investigate. An air duct was found to be blocked by leaves and other debris that had frozen, causing a buildup of CO.
Earlier in the day, shortly after midnight, a northeastScreenshot_20241203-120217.pngScreenshot_20241203-120158.png
Calgary family's carbon monoxide alarm went off, prompting them to call 911. The family of four, along with three pets, were evacuated while ATCO crews investigated. No one was injured and ATCO was able to resolve the matter. Shortly before 9 a.m., crews were dispatched to a school on Maryvale Road Northeast. ATCO personnel investigated and the school was evacuated as a precaution. The source of the problem was the boiler, where the CO reading rose to 720 ppm. Investigators determined that the boiler needed repair, but were able to ensure the school's air quality.
At 10:35 a.m., firefighters responded to a CO alarm at a business in the 4300 block of 54th Avenue SE for reports of a CO buildup after an employee at a nearby business reported feeling ill and smelling gas. The fact that a nearby business was a welder made the situation worse.
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The source of the problem was discovered: a gas stove that was not properly vented. The CO build-up was recorded at 60 ppm. The company was advised to have the vent installed by a certified professional.
Shortly before 11 a.m., firefighters responded to reports of a CO build-up at an apartment building on Meredith Street N.E. The source of the build-up was a rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. ATCO personnel shut down the system and ventilated the building. The HVAC unit was shut down until building management could repair it. No one was injured.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that has no color, odor, or taste. The fire department recommends that everyone have a CO detector in their home, which can alert you if there is a buildup of carbon monoxide. The most common source of CO buildup is your furnace, but it can also come from appliances that run on natural gas or propane.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include flu-like symptoms, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Other things to look out for include stale or stuffy air, moisture on your windows and walls, soot buildup around appliances and vents, or a pilot light that keeps going out.
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