Why Businesses Need CO Detectors
Most people think of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors as something for residential spaces, but businesses also need them. These devices can warn employees and customers of serious health risks and make it easier to move everyone safely out of the building as quickly as possible. If you don't have them for your business yet, here's why businesses need CO detectors, and how to get them installed.
Why Should You Monitor Carbon Monoxide in the Workplace?
Monitoring and detecting carbon monoxide is an extremely important part of protecting the lives of the people at your commercial location. Because CO is colorless and odorless, people don't realize they're being exposed to it until it begins to cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, passing out, nausea, and more. If you're being exposed to CO and don't get out into fresh air quickly enough, it can mean permanent damage to your brain and other organs, and even cause death.
What Businesses Are Most at Risk of CO Poisoning?
Businesses that operate a lot of gas-powered machinery are most at risk of CO poisoning. That includes factories, industrial operations, commercial kitchens, and auto shops. However, any business can have a CO risk, especially if it uses gas heating or other appliances. A laundromat, for example, could have CO issues if it has gas dryers and there is a leak.
Even if your business does not commonly have a high carbon monoxide risk, you should still have detectors to increase the safety and security of your employees and customers. It only takes a couple of hours of exposure to CO to cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage, and that's not worth the risk. Additionally, you may be able to save on your commercial insurance policy if you have a CO detection system in place.
Where to Install CO Detectors in Commercial Buildings
Following OSHA requirements and any other laws and regulations that apply to your business is vital when you're choosing installation locations. It's not enough to understand why businesses need CO detectors, as these detectors also need to be in the right locations to perform their duties properly. With that in mind, you want to work with safety professionals to install the right CO controllers and detectors for your specific business needs.
How Commercial CO Detectors Differ from Residential Detectors
Some detectors are designed to alert you to CO and other chemicals in the air, making them valuable for businesses that have additional needs. Mostly, though, the biggest difference between CO detectors for residences and the ones used for commercial applications is that commercial detection systems are specific to the architecture of the commercial building. It's not enough to simply add a couple of detectors to the space as you might do in a home or apartment.
Overall, every business should have a CO detection system. It may be an OSHA or other governing body requirement and could lower your insurance premium. It also helps save lives, which should be the biggest and most significant reason to get a professional installation in your commercial space.