Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection & Response

Purpose

Protect Spartan Plumbing technicians and customers from carbon monoxide (CO) exposure during and after service work, particularly involving gas-fired appliances like water heaters, furnaces, and boilers.

When to Use

• Every service call involving a gas-fired water heater, furnace, or boiler
• After any water heater installation or replacement
• When a customer reports headaches, dizziness, or nausea near gas appliances
• When you detect a faint, unusual odor near combustion equipment
• During routine diagnostics on any gas appliance

Required Equipment

• Klein ET110 Carbon Monoxide Meter (or equivalent approved CO detector)
• Ensure meter is calibrated and batteries are charged before each shift

Procedure

Routine CO Testing (Every Gas Appliance Call)

Turn on your CO meter before entering the work area

Take an ambient reading in the room where gas appliances are located

Record the ambient CO level — anything above 9 PPM requires investigation

Test at the draft hood/exhaust vent of the appliance

Test at the flue pipe connections

Document all readings in ServiceTitan job notes with photos

Elevated CO Detected (9-35 PPM)

Ventilate the area — open windows and doors immediately

Identify the source: check draft hood, flue connections, heat exchanger

Do NOT leave the appliance running if you cannot identify and resolve the source

Inform the customer of the readings and the risk

If the issue is outside your scope (e.g., furnace heat exchanger), recommend they contact an HVAC contractor immediately — we recommend Bates Electric for electrical issues

Document all findings, readings, and recommendations in ServiceTitan

Dangerous CO Levels (Above 35 PPM)

Evacuate immediately — get everyone out of the home including yourself

Call 911 and report a carbon monoxide hazard

Do NOT re-enter the home until the fire department clears it

Call your supervisor immediately

Do NOT attempt to repair the appliance until the home is cleared

File an incident report in Slack (#safety-incidents) within 1 hour

After Water Heater Installation

Complete a full CO test at the draft hood and flue before leaving the job

Verify proper draft direction using a smoke pencil or match test

Check for backdrafting — especially in basements with open exhaust vents

Record all CO readings in the installation completion checklist

If ANY CO is detected above 9 PPM, do not leave the job until resolved

Important Notes

• CO is odorless and colorless — never rely on smell to detect it
• Open exhaust vents in basements are a common CO risk; address these immediately even with a temporary cap
• Always test BEFORE and AFTER your work on gas appliances
• CO readings should be documented in every gas appliance job, no exceptions
• If your CO meter is not working or not calibrated, do not proceed with gas appliance work — return to the shop for a replacement

Related SOPs

• Gas Leak Response Protocol — separate procedure for gas leak detection
• Open Exhaust Vent Handling Procedures — addresses the common CO source
• Water Heater Installation (40/50 gal) — includes CO testing requirements
• CO Testing After Water Heater Install — detailed install-specific protocol