One of the main causes of death aboard canal boats seems to be carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty appliances. I bought a CO detector last year, and recently worried over where to put it.
I've since discussed the matter with Kidde's consumer helpline, whose spokesman Sue Payne was very helpful. She first warned me that Kidde don't recommend their CO detectors aboard boats. Yeah, yeah, I said, accepted. But having said that, and if I'm going to buy one anyway and put it in my boat's bedroom, where's the best place to site it? Fairly high up on the wall, but not right up by the ceiling, she said cautiously.
More info on KiddeSafetyEurope - What is Carbon Monoxide? Their installation guide (Word doc format) is here. More info from sue (dot) payne at kiddesafety.co.uk
The latest tragedy was at Ansty, on the North Oxford Canal to an unfortunate gentleman called Alan Smith. Would that be Alan Smith MBE, eminent member of the Waterways Craft Guild? Story I heard was that he was alone but speaking to a friend by phone at the time, and complained of feeling unwell. The friend raised the alarm with the emergency services, but by the time they found the boat it was too late.
Incidentally, Warwickshire trading standards says that you should "fit a battery powered carbon monoxide detector suitable for boats". But there isn't one suitable for boats! At least, there is none that is officially recommended, no BSI kitemark or ISO standard. I recommend the one I've got - it's better than naught.
Need a Marine approved CO alarms - go to
www.safetalert.com UL approved for Marine Use
Posted by: David Buddingh | Thursday, 12 August 2004 at 02:17 PM