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June 8, 2008
Air vents that emit Carbon Monoxide
I know that a lot of people illegally move their mechanicals without permits and re-route them through what appears to be 'air vents'. Is installing an air vent out the roof of a house legal without a permit? How can you tell if an 'air vent' is actually emitting dangerous CO?
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More info, please
If by 'air vent' you mean the exhaust from a boiler or w/h, and it does go thru the roof, who'd be affected by the CO? That's what's supposed to happen to it, unless it's too close to a window. It's leaks inside the building you need to be concerned about.
CO can be monitored inside by a CO detector.
Moving an appliance does need a permit, but even Keyspan comes in and does it without an inspection (maybe they have a permit).
btw, are you doing this or are you snitching on a neighbor?
Posted by: cmu at June 9, 2008 9:26 AM
Any combustion process is gonna emit CO, even your gas stove, so CO is a given on such vents.
There are regulations for venting gas furnaces and water heaters and the flues need to be inspected and approved, at least by a licensed heating contractor. In the case of old masonry chimneys, I believe current code requires the flue to have a metal lining, sometimes with stainless steel such as in the case of a tankless water heater.
Posted by: Steve at June 9, 2008 10:37 AM
Well I'd be affected (possibly killed) by the CO coming in from my neighbors vent. And the neighbor isn't coming clean about the type of vent he has, I suppose, because he has no permits. And I don't want to raise (touch) a vent that is illegal, but he won't raise it himself. What can I do?
Posted by: newbalance at June 9, 2008 5:24 PM
Unless your neighbor is venting through your window it's probably nothing to get worked up about. Monoxide poisoning is mostly an issue in enclosed spaces.
If you're concerned, invest in a monoxide detector and put it on a windowsill. It will trigger well below the threshold of health concerns.
Posted by: Steve at June 9, 2008 6:33 PM
Well the vent is right by a balcony/window. How much is too much CO?
Posted by: newbalance at June 10, 2008 10:26 PM
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