RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Speaker: Joshua PringleVice President of Business DevelopmentCO2Meter, Inc.

Carbon Dioxide Monitoring: Meeting the Code is No Longer an Option

• The Science of CO2

o What is it?  

o How does it act?

o Why is it deadly?

• Real World Applications for CO2

• Why are the codes changing?

• What are the new codes?

• Jurisdictional examples

• A peak at the technology for monitoring CO2

Expected Learnings

The Science of Carbon Dioxide?

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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• Two (2) Oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a Carbon atom

• Gas extraction and generation through natural and unnatural sources

• CO2 produced through combustion, fermentation, and through respiration

A Carbon Dioxide Refresher?

A Carbon Dioxide Refresher?

• CO2 is measured in Parts Per Million or PPM

A Carbon Dioxide Refresher?

• Gases are measured by their Mole Weight 

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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A Carbon Dioxide Refresher?

• Gases are measured by their Mole Weight or 

Molecular Weight 

Webster defines the molecular weight as “the mass of a molecule. It is calculated as the sum of the atomic mass of each constituent atom multiplied by the number of atoms of that element in the molecular formula”.

Gas Stratification

The American Society of Chemists defines gas stratification as “The extent to which heavier gases tend to collect at lower points relative to those that 

are lighter”. 

How Many Forms of CO2 Exist?

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Gaseous

Dry Ice

Liquid

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Why is CO2 Deadly?

Why is CO2 Deadly?

ODORLESS COLORLESS

TASTELESS

Why is CO2 Deadly?

• Important Concentration Levels:

• ‐1% ‐ Impaired Cognition

• +1% ‐ Drowsiness

• +3% ‐ Mild Narcosis

• +5%‐ Dizziness and Confusion

• +8% ‐ Unconsciousness

• +10% ‐ Fatality

Average Ambient CO2 Concentration = 425 ppmOSHA TWA = 5,000 ppm avg. for 8 hours

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Why is CO2 Deadly?

Real World Applications

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Real World Applications

Other Applications for Monitoring CO2

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Real World Applications

Other Applications for Monitoring CO2

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Regulations and Codes

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Regulations and Codes

Why Now?

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Regulations and Codes

Indoor Agriculture

Beverage Dispensing

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Beverage Dispensing

• By CO2 Storage Tanks

• By Bag In Box Rack

• Beer cooler

• Basement/Low Lying Areas

Ideal Placement

Ideal Placement

Locating Devices Appropriately

• Approx. 1,500 sq. ft. per device coverage

• Confined Spaces – own device

• Mount:• sensing unit 18 inches from floor• displays at eye level• strobes at no lower than 6 ft.

• Protect against splash/spray

• Basements are highly susceptible

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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New Codes Requiring Monitoring

New Codes Requiring Monitoring

• 2015 IFC Section 5307 calls for:• Continuous Monitoring• Local alarm• 5,000 ppm first alarm

• 2016 NFPA Sections 55:• Requires monitoring when more than 100 lbs. of gas is stored• Required set points based on OSHA/NIOSH standards• Incorporated in to most states “Life Safety Standards”

• NBIC 2015 Part 1 Supplement 3 calls for:**Note this is an update to the 2012 NBIC**

• Continuous monitoring• Interior and exterior alarms• First alarm at 5,000 ppm• Second alarm at 30,000 ppm

Additional Jurisdictional Requirements

Knowing the “Authority Having Jurisdiction”

Additional Requirements

• Strobes

• Ventilation Driver

• Fire Alarms

• Blenders

SuggestionNew Construction – spec’d devices are easier to approveRemodel – check with the AHJ during plan review

RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Signage

Signage by Code for Monitoring

Devices ship standard with signage

Multilingual Signage

Different signage required for gas than for monitoring

Key to Meeting the Codes

Proactivity

Understanding

Acceptance

New Codes Requiring Monitoring

Education

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A Peek at the Technology

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How does it work?

A Peek at the Technology

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• What is NDIR?

• How does it work?

A Peek at the Technology

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RFMA 2017 ‐ March 5‐7, 2017

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Major Manufacturers

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• Analox

• CO2Meter

• LogiCO2

Beverage Dispensing

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Referenced Incidents

Rancho Santa Fe, CA Airgas Incidenthttp://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/08/25/carbon‐dioxide‐leak‐prompts‐hazmat‐situation‐at‐industrial‐park‐in‐santa‐fe‐springs/

Pooler, GA McDonald’s Deathhttp://savannahnow.com/news/2011‐09‐14/carbon‐dioxide‐blamed‐pooler‐mcdonalds‐death

Sanford, FL McDonald’s Deathhttp://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005‐02‐12/news/0502120303_1_carbon‐dioxide‐central‐florida‐sanford

Phoenix, AZ McDonald’s Incidenthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY__H‐CMvw0

Thank you!