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Carbon monoxide (CO): a key indicator for early fire detection

Carretta S.COcarbon monoxideindustrial safetyfire detectionfire preventionindustrial plants

CO: the invisible signal that comes before a fire

In industry, safety cannot rely on reaction alone: anticipating risk is essential. Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most reliable indicators of an incipient fire and makes it possible to act before the situation becomes critical.

Colourless, odourless and highly toxic, CO is often the first sign of abnormal combustion.

Why CO is such an effective indicator

In the early stages of a fire, even before any flame is visible, materials heat up and start to degrade. Under these conditions combustion is incomplete, because of a lack of oxygen or a still-low temperature, and it produces significant amounts of CO. This is typical of flameless smouldering fires and of the self-heating of stored materials such as coal, biomass, waste or grain.

CO spreads quickly through the surrounding air and can be detected before visible smoke develops or the temperature rises appreciably.

Monitoring this gas means being able to:

  • detect overheating and hidden smouldering
  • identify fires in their earliest stages
  • act promptly and prevent greater damage
  • protect people, equipment and business continuity

    • How CO monitoring works

    Detection systems based on CO analysers continuously monitor the atmosphere of the areas or volumes to be protected, such as silos, bunkers and extraction hoods.

    The process

  • Continuous CO detection using certified sensors or analysers, calibrated at regular intervals
  • Analysis of concentration changes, even small ones, and of how fast they increase
  • Automatic alarms when the configured thresholds are exceeded
  • Integration with fire protection and ventilation systems

    • To reduce false alarms, thresholds must be set according to the background level of each area: where vehicles or forklifts with combustion engines operate, for example, CO is present even under normal conditions.

    Benefits for your plant

    Installing a CO detection system means taking a proactive approach to safety:

  • early detection of incipient fires
  • lower risk of structural damage
  • greater safety for operators and assets
  • support in meeting fire prevention and worker protection requirements

    • Where it is essential

    CO monitoring is particularly effective in environments such as:

  • silos and stores of coal, biomass and other materials prone to self-heating
  • warehouses, storage facilities and logistics centres
  • conveyor belts and waste treatment plants
  • machine rooms and industrial plants
  • tunnels and enclosed car parks, where CO is also monitored to protect health and control ventilation

    • In all these settings a fire can develop silently.

    An investment in safety

    Waiting for smoke, flames or a rise in temperature can mean acting too late. CO lets you act sooner.

    Adopting advanced detection systems means:

  • preventing plant downtime
  • reducing the costs associated with fires
  • protecting your business in the long term

    • A solution tailored to you

    Every industrial environment needs its own strategy. CO detection systems can be designed around:

  • the size of the spaces
  • the type of activity
  • the level of risk

    • Contact us to find the right solution for your plant together.

    Need assistance?

    Our experts are available to answer your questions about emissions monitoring.

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