Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion. It is dangerous because it is undetectable by people and interferes with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Continuous monitoring is a direct safety measure wherever fuel is burned.
A safety parameter, not just a comfort one.
Unlike most readings here, CO can be acutely dangerous — which is exactly why it must be measured rather than assumed.
Acutely toxic
CO binds to haemoglobin in place of oxygen. High levels cause headaches, confusion, collapse and, untreated, can be fatal.
Undetectable
It has no colour or smell, so people cannot sense it. A sensor is the only reliable warning before symptoms appear.
Faulty combustion
Blocked flues, poorly maintained boilers and unflued heaters are classic causes — monitoring catches them early.
Alerting
Continuous CO data drives instant alerts, turning a silent hazard into an actionable warning.
Should normally be near zero.
In a healthy space CO sits close to zero. Any sustained reading is a prompt to investigate combustion; high levels demand immediate action.
Wherever combustion goes wrong.
CO comes from incomplete burning of fuel — so its sources are the same appliances and equipment that should be burning cleanly.
Heating appliances
Boilers, furnaces and unflued heaters produce CO when burning incompletely or when flues are blocked.
Gas cooking
Gas hobs and ovens emit some CO, more so when poorly adjusted or used without ventilation.
Engines & generators
Vehicles in adjacent garages and fuel-powered generators are major, dangerous sources if exhaust enters the building.
Blocked ventilation
Anything that stops combustion gases venting safely — blocked flues, negative pressure — can let CO build up indoors.