Newsletter
19
December 2014
SECURITY
The Unexpected Golf Cart Hazard
Article: Jun 14, 2004
It's just after midnight when the alarm sounds for a
carbon monoxide detector activation. Dispatch
reports that the residents have left the home. The
crew shuffles from bed; there’s no rush since CO
alarms are "non-emergency" once residents have
evacuated. The address is noted and the engine
heads out. The night is clear with a distinct chill in
the air. Upon arrival Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner,
wearing bedclothes, are standing in the driveway
wrapped in blankets.
Sure enough, the CO detector is actively sounding.
The shift lieutenant speaks to Mr. Homeowner and
notes that the home, a two-bedroom patio villa, is an
entirely electric home. There is no gas heat and no
gas appliances. In fact, the home isn’t even piped for
gas. The alarm activation is, most likely, the result of
a faulty detector.
But, being the ever-vigilant fire officer, the lieutenant
orders his crew of three to don SCBA and proceed
through the house with the gas detector. Shortly
thereafter, one of the firefighters reports a CO
reading in the garage of nearly 40 parts per million.
Whoa!
Total home ventilation is effected, the attic space is
checked and one of the firefighters does a "walk
around" of the entire home perimeter. Mr. and Mrs.
Homeowner are asked about how they felt, the
alarm activation, and any activities in the home that
might have set off the detector.
No, they hadn't been burning any candles. No, they
hadn't done any late-night charbroiling in the oven.
No, they hadn't done anything unusual. In fact, they
had been away from the house for several hours,
returning at about 10 P.M. Shortly after being
dropped off by friends, they went to bed. They were
awakened from a sound sleep by the detector. Come
to think of it, yes, they both had a slight headache
and had felt a bit queasy when they awoke. But since
they had been outside now for nearly 15 minutes,
the headache and nausea was almost gone. The
lieutenant directed one of the paramedic/firefighters
to do medical assessments of both homeowners who
were now being considered patients.
Re-evaluation of the garage still showed a significant
concentration of CO. But what could be causing the
elevated level? The garage contained an automobile,
electric golf cart and charger, washer and electric
dryer, a few laundry products, and some gardening
equipment. The hot water tank and heating/air
conditioning system, both totally electric, were also
in the garage.
Back to Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner for more Q & A.
Was the car used this evening? No, they had gone
out with friends. The car hadn’t left the garage in
more than 24 hours.
Was the house closed up and the heat on? Yes. The
outside temperature was in the mid 50's. The heat
had been on all evening.
Was the golf cart used? Mr. Homeowner had played
golf earlier in the day and had used the cart. When
he returned around 1 P.M. the cart had been parked
in its usual spot near the heating system and plugged
in to the charger. It had been on charge continuously
since that time.
Hearing that answer, the firefighter who had
conducted the home sweep with the gas detector
reported to the lieutenant that the CO reading had
been at its highest right near the golf cart and
heating system.
Okay, but lead-acid battery charging did not produce
CO.
(Continued on page 20)
