A portable CO2 detector proved to be a true lifesaver
It is a well known fact today that carbon dioxide or CO2 is a very dangerous gas, even deadly, used in e.g. slaughter houses to put down pork and poultry. This is a case of a bar owner with a headache, a beer dispense technician with good judgment, and a pocket-sized device that would turn out to be a lifesaver.
A bar owner suspected a carbon dioxide gas leak
In Ghent in Belgium, a bar owner made a call to his beer dispense technician, Dominiek Snauwaert, complaining about a severe headache and said he suspected a carbon dioxide gas leak. The bar owner had large CO2 bulk tanks with gas stored in his bar. When Dominiek received the phone call, he understood the gravity of the situation and headed to the bar.
The danger of getting exposed to high CO2 levels
Based on his vast experience of professional CO2 tap installations, Dominiek knew how dangerous it could be if there was a leak, and people would be exposed to high levels of CO2. CO2 is often called ”the silent killer” as it can’t be detected with the nose or the naked eye due to its odorless and colorless characteristics.
Also, CO2 is heavier than air. It accumulates and builds from the floor up, which means basements are one of the risk areas when CO2 is being used. It is therefore important to have a fixed CO2 sensor that measures CO2 constantly. Unfortunately, in this case, the bar owner didn’t have a fixed mounted sensor installed.
When Dominiek arrived at the bar, he was wearing a portable CO2 detector. Instead of going down to the basement, Dominiek took his detector and rolled it down into the basement.
Not an ordinary portable CO2 detector
But how is it possible, you may ask, to roll a detector? Well, this was not an ordinary detector. Unlike any other portable detector, where the alarm goes off when you walk into a room with hazardous levels of CO2, this detector was designed to be placed inside a special foam ball. The protective foam ball could then be rolled into the risk area to measure the level of CO2.
Before entering the bar, Dominiek had connected his detector to his smartphone via Bluetooth. He could now open the LogiCO2-Scout App and read the results displayed on the screen without putting himself, the bar owner, or anyone else, for that matter, at risk. The results showed a high level of CO2 well above the Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) level.
“Looking back, I am happy about the experience and glad I survived because of my Scout. However, I still recommend all of my customers to install CO2 detectors in their basement.”, says Dominiek Snauwaert.
Calling the fire department to remove the CO2
Dominiek immediately called the fire department, and shortly firefighters arrived. Eager, as firefighters always are to put things right, they wanted to go down the basement. Dominiek explained that the level of CO2 was dangerously high, and no one should enter the basement without an oxygen mask.
“With that amount of CO2 in the basement, you only have about 30 seconds before you pass out on the floor where the CO2 accumulates. Eventually, the CO2 will kill you.”, Dominiek says.
Supported by Dominiek and his knowledge and experience in handling CO2, they managed to remove the CO2 using smoke extraction equipment. The entire basement was emptied of gas, and Dominiek could now locate the leak and fix it. After a few hours, the problem was solved and, more importantly, no one was hurt in the process.
“I am grateful I had my LogiCO2 Scout with me. If not, I would have put myself at great danger and risk of dying. LogiCO2 simply saved my life.”, says Dominiek.
The pitfall of traditional portable CO2 detectors
All detectors have some response time, meaning it takes some time for the CO2 to enter the sensor and set off the alarm. If the CO2 level is high enough, the body can shut down before the detector has time to warn you. With a traditional portable CO2 detector, you walk into the risk area, the detector warns you about the high CO2 level, and you walk out again. However, if the CO2 level is well above 20%, which can easily happen if a CO2 bulk tank is leaking in a small bar, you will pass out before even realizing the alarm went off.
Make sure to keep your CO2 technicians safe at all times
Unfortunately, CO2 leakages do happen from time to time and they are both dangerous and costly. Knowing the severe consequences of exposure to hazardous CO2 levels, it is crucial technicians have the right equipment when working. “I use the Scout to work all the time now. It is a safety device that ensures you are safe in your environment. You don’t know you need it until the day comes when you do.”, Dominiek Snauwaert concludes.
A portable CO2 detector with a unique feature
So, what was this portable CO2 detector Dominiek used that saved his life? It is called the LogiCO2 Scout. The Scout works just like any other personal CO2 detector, hung from the belt or a pocket when working in environments with CO2. However, it comes with one unique feature: You can connect it to your phone using Bluetooth and measure the level of CO2 remotely.
Let LogiCO2 be your lifesaver
LogiCO2 has applied sophisticated technology but made it both simple and logical. The next time you are about to enter a space where you are not really sure about the CO2 levels, do as Dominiek did and roll in your LogiCO2 Scout. Let it be your lifesaver too.
Do have any questions or inquiries, feel free to contact us at info@logico2.com or +46 (0)31-695317