Help me save my life (engineers, safety experts, lawyers, MDs)

[DemoTex]

How to deal with a two factor (carbon monoxide and propane),
potentially lethal, problem in a USFS fire lookout tower.

I. Guideline to the USFS for the resolution of extreme health and
safety problems in the ____ ____ lookout.

A: Before any system repairs are attempted, run gas (CO and propane)
titer tests with all systems in the configuration they were in on: 1.
May 20, before I entered the lookout; 2. All systems on, except for
stove gas off, as I left the lookout on a brief trip on 5/21; 3. Heat
on high, two gas lamps on, refrige on, stove gas cut-off – like it was
on the night of 5/22, the night of the incident.

B: Determine – empirically - the approximate titers of CO and propane
to which I was exposed on the afternoon and evening of 5/22/2010. I
am estimating about 400 ppm CO (propane not even factored in) for
several hours (enough to cause extended neurological problems). CO
levels of 100 ppm are considered dangerous to humans.

C. Run these data logs for a minimum of 24 hours.

II. Isolate the CO and propane problems and work them out separately.
DO NOT ASSUME THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME!

III. Carbon Monoxide – Isolate the CO problem to the system/systems

1.Night-Hawk CO detector
2.Heater
3.Propane lights
4.Refridge
5.Stove

IV. Fix or replace malfunctioning components of system(s) and run all
systems at high levels for 24 hours with CO level monitoring.

V. Propane – Repeat steps I thru IV

Help me out! Additions? Deletions? Reasonable? Unreasonable?

mac

[NYC_SKP]

1. Is this a guide you are writing for standard procedures for others to follow?

That's my take on it.

You're not in danger, right?

:shrug:

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Gosh. I hope you are right. I also just assumed a manual was being written.

[DemoTex]

4. No - these are the minimum standards for me to return to the lookout.

Yes - there is danger, but I am extracted from it.

[NYC_SKP]

7. Glad to hear you and Nick are OK. All I can suggest to add....

would be redundancy in the alarms.

Assuming repairs are made, not to rely on a single device to alert to high CO levels, propane leaks, too.

It's best to assume that whatever they get will fail when you most need it, like while you're asleep.

Hoping others will offer more advice.

:thumbsup:

[DemoTex]

8. Indeed

Added - thanks!

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Sorry I cannot help with your problem, but I an so glad you will be returning to

a USFS lookout station this year. I look forward to your reports and pictures.
Will you be in the same location this year?
Will your wonderful pup ?Sam? be going with you?

[DemoTex]

5. I'm back, but you missed the horror story from Saturday night.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/DemoTex/78

[BrklynLiberal]

6. OMIGAWD!!! So glad that you are still around to tell that story!!!

So will you be heading back East now..or staying in the forest for a while??

Your new camera takes fantastic pics..and Nick is as handsome as ever.

For some reason I thought he was a Black Lab. The pic makes him look too wire-haired for that..

Keep upthe great work...I hope you are able to get back up into a tower soon...and your experience
may save others' lives....

[DemoTex]

9. No, I'm here for fire season.

They will fix the problem.

[yowzayowzayowza]

10. Air intake on the heater clear?

In an enclosed space, two propane lights could push up the CO pretty easily. Where those on the night of the incident?

eta: I'd prolly pressurize the system and look for the gas leak first.

[DemoTex]

11. That has been discussed at the ranger station ..

But the problem continued after I cut off the propane lights.

[yowzayowzayowza]

12. Then given the short cycle a gas fridge was most likely ...

to perform in those conditions, I'd be givin the heater the evil-eye for the CO issue, esp the fresh air intake. The propane leak could be anywhere. Short testing tools/supplies a thorough bubble test is about all you can do.

[DemoTex]

13. I'm betting on the fridge - it was the only appliance running full-time after I "pulled the plug."

Heater was totally "off" except for the pilot light. The fresh air intake was wide open with a direct view of the earth below the lookout. But still, two contaminations: CO and propane.

[yowzayowzayowza]

16. Is the air ducting on the fridge intact?

Had it jus been turned on? ie, in continuous cool to bring the temp down?

[Arctic Dave]

14. Are you checking for leaks in the system?

If so, you need to have multi-gas monitor with a sampling probe. (O2, LEL, CO) That will give you all your necessary gas levels.

There are several on the market that range around $500-$900.00. They also make fixed monitoring systems that are more expensive but are on all the time and you can wire in relay for HIGH HIGH ALARM.

[NYC_SKP]

15. Surprised there's so much propane in use.

What's your source of electrical power?

If you have propane lights and fridge, I'm assuming you're not on the grid.

Which leads me to wonder why the Service hasn't provided a solar photovoltaic system.

Maybe because it would be stolen in the winter?

Other remote sites, like light stations, have gone solar.

I don't think you'd need much more that a 500 watt system and four gel cell batteries, a charge controller, and inverter or just 12 VDC appliances throughout.

:shrug: