Monitoring and Control of CO Emissions in Parking Structures


BY ROB ALBINGER


bon monoxide emissions from motor vehicles have on the air quality inside parking garages.With increasing aware- ness of indoor air quality, astute parking garage owners and managers place great importance on the reduction of CO in parking garages.


U Ventilation systems are a must for today’s


parking facilities, especially inmixed-use or sub- terranean facilities.But it can be costly to operate fans 24/7.This explainswhymechanical contrac- tors andHVAC specialists are increasingly speci- fying CO monitoring and ventilation systems for both new and existing parking structures.


The Health Effects of CO Exposure Carbonmonoxide, an odorless, tasteless and


colorless gas, is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. The Cen- ters forDisease Control and Prevention estimates that CO poisoning claims nearly 500 lives and accounts for more than 15,000 visits to emer- gency rooms annually. When not properly ventilated, COconcentration can build to


Amonoxide ventilation fan controller unit installed in an underground parking facility in Los Angeles, CA demonstrates a typical installation and the recommended installation height as shown in the "breathing zone" to ensure personal safety.


NTILRECENTYEARS, most parking garage owners and managers did not realize the detri- mental effects that car-


ity and emergency personnel, via cell phone, in the case of dangerous concentra- tions of CO, which can indicate the immi- nent threat of fire.


Reducing Ventilation Costs While inadequate ventilation can


drastically increase the risks of liability, continuous operation of ventilation sys- tems can be costly.This explains the grow- ing trend toward installation of CO moni- toring and ventilation control systems, par- ticularly in large cities where there are underground parking structures. In many cases, installation of electrochemical CO monitoring and ventilation systems can save up to 85%in energy costs. To minimize heat loss in winter, as


well as conserve energy used by the venti- lation fan motors, some parking garage owners began to operate ventilation sys- tems only during peak traffic times of the morning and evening rush hours. This, however, failed to take into account instances in which a car was left idling or when parking patterns varied from the norm. Other garage owners decided to run


ventilation systems continuously, but this created other problems.


“The presence of CO in a parking structure can create


toxic levels. Effects of CO poisoning include headache, nausea and fatigue, or at higher levels, confusion, staggering, heart pal- pitation, unconsciousness and death. Furthermore, when CO emissions fill a space, the oxygen in that space is depleted, caus- ing asphyxiation. A parking garage without adequate CO ventilation can easi-


ly exceed NIOSH and OSHA recommendations, putting work- ers, tenants and commuters at severe health and safety risks. That’s why California and several other states have passed laws to limit CO levels in parking garages.


CO Sensing Technologies CO monitors utilize different types of sensors, and not all


CO sensors are alike. Electrochemical sensing technology pro- vides many advantages over the older semiconductor (or solid state) sensors. Electrochemical sensors offer high resolution (≤ 0.5 ppm), a linear signal, long-term stability (≥5%over the life- time of the sensor) and immunity to false alarms caused by “nui- sance gases.”


Decreasing Safety Risks Promptwarning of highCOconcentration also can help pre-


vent fires.The best CO sensing technologies will also alert facil- 18 MARCH 2009 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


tremendous liability issues, but 24/7 operation is not a good solu- tion,” said Jeff Aikens, a project manager with Professional Mechanical Contractors Inc. “Continuous fan operation can mean continuous annoyance for tenants in apartments or condo- miniums close to fans.” Aikens described a situation in which an apartment near


ventilation-fan motors created such noise that it had remained vacant for a long time. PMCI installed a COmonitoring and ven- tilation system, and noise was greatly decreased, as the fans ran only when the system signaled them to kick on. Soon after, the apartment was rented.


CO Monitoring and Ventilation Systems In response to the 1980s energy crisis, Conspec Controls


(www.conspec-controls.com) developed an electrochemical CO monitoring and ventilation systemthat is increasingly in demand today.The Conspec P2621 is often specified due to its large cov- erage area. For instance, in a garage with 10-foot ceilings, one unit will cover 10,000 square feet, while competing systems require two units in the same space. For maximum cost efficiency in new construction, the design plan should include an integratedCOmonitoring and ven-


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