BXinNH
Silver Member
I'm going to respectfully agree and disagree on this topic. There is no question that CO is dangerous and even deadly in high enough concentrations, however, pushing tractors and mowers in or out of garages is a bit extreme in my opinion. There are a number of verified, established guidelines for what levels of CO are dangerous and what levels are not. Also, modern CO detectors are very accurate and quick to respond to the presence of CO in the home. I would recommend that every home be equipped with at least two detectors, one near the sleeping area(s) and one near the utility area(s) where CO is generated. Many building codes require this in new or significantly renovated homes. There is no truth to the rumors of false alarms from ordinary household products. If your detector goes off, it means there is very likely CO present and the correct course of action is to evacuate the building and call the Fire Department. To address the original question about running small engines in an enclosed area, I would recommend strongly against it. Don't forget when calculating air exchange rates using forced ventilation, in order to get 10,000cfm of air out, 10,000cfm needs to come in, very difficult with the doors closed. I guess my point is, as with most things, awareness and respect for the hazards of CO, proper safeguards and some "common" sense will keep you safe.
Matt.
Matt.