CO2 SAFETY.

[tigerpaws]

As we All know co2 is heavier than air so it will find the lowest place first

It displaces oxygen. It is colourless and tastless.

But I have never had an accidental release of any compressed gas

even if you ripped the outlet line off the regulator the reg valve would freeze seriously slowing the rate of the leak. I would say there is not a lot to worry about especially at that size.

 

[Ollywilko]

Hi
I have two co2 cylinders and a mixed gas one.
All plumbed into my home bar under constant pressure.
My set up has been in place for 6 months and no problems.
Co2 is dangerous and can kill,
but only after it's taken the oxygen out of a room.
No such thing as co2 poisoning.
Co2 suffercation is the main thing.
I've always looked at it that if people live in pubs with co2,
And still get up every morning,
It can't be that dangerous.

 

[jamesb]

Hi
I have two co2 cylinders and a mixed gas one.
All plumbed into my home bar under constant pressure.
My set up has been in place for 6 months and no problems.
Co2 is dangerous and can kill,
but only after it's taken the oxygen out of a room.
No such thing as co2 poisoning.
Co2 suffercation is the main thing.
I've always looked at it that if people live in pubs with co2,
And still get up every morning,
It can't be that dangerous.

Pub cellars are usually ventilated via the coolers though.

Not to mention that landlords/cellar techs have more training than your average homebrewer.

Some of the questions I hear on here and other things I hear fill me with dread.

I'm trained in the use of gas cylinders (used to work for a pressure sensor company) and they still scare the **** out of me.

Moral? Never get complacent and treat them with respect.

 

[Ollywilko]

HI

Not had any problems with my set up.
Got it in my garden shed.
I leave the window open and a fan on.

Http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... /photo.jpg

 

[Growler]

Moral? Never get complacent and treat them with respect.

this is the thing to work by I think

 

[Hawks]

Hi
I have two co2 cylinders and a mixed gas one.
All plumbed into my home bar under constant pressure.
My set up has been in place for 6 months and no problems.
Co2 is dangerous and can kill,
but only after it's taken the oxygen out of a room.
No such thing as co2 poisoning.
Co2 suffercation is the main thing.
I've always looked at it that if people live in pubs with co2,
And still get up every morning,
It can't be that dangerous.

I would still say that it's safe to say CO2 is toxic and CO2 poisoning is indeed real. There are still studies to be done on the effects on humans, but there are some pretty good articles about - here is a PDF of one of them, and a small part of it copied below:

It is generally believed that CO2 toxicity is caused by displacing oxygen, leading to
asphyxiation, similar to the mode of action as inert gases. This is only partly true. The
inhalation of high concentrations of CO2 can lower the pH of the blood and thus trigger
effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular and central nervous systems (HSE, 2007).
In summary, CO2 exposure can give rise to a variety of effects, including an increase in
inhalation rate, in heart rate and in blood pressure and it can induce cardiovascular effects.
Mortality is most likely due to effects on the respiratory tract and oxygen supply. These
effects are caused by two mechanisms: asphyxia and by direct effects of CO2 on the
regulation of respiration. Respiration is a tightly controlled phenomenon in mammals
(including humans). It is primary regulated by the CO2 tension in arterial blood (PaCO2) and
the concentration of hydrogen ions (pH). Arterial PO2 is not the major driving force for
ventilation under normal circumstances. So, any condition that increases PaCO2 will result in
a stimulation of ventilation in order to eliminate the surplus of CO2. A too high level of CO2
in blood and tissues will lead to acidosis which is harmful for mammalian tissues, especially
those with a high sensitivity (e.g. brain).


OR here, showing that CO2 is toxic at concentrations over 5% - under that it is more likely just the displacement of oxygen

At the end of the day, it's about being aware of the dangers and treating with respect as others have said. Just don't underestimate the danger.

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Just had a quick read through this post and the replies and Im absolutley shocked !!!!
CO2 is heavier than 02 therefoer it will displace it in a unventilated room. You wont die of CO2 poisioning you will die from asphixiation (major sp).
Keeping it in your bedroom...you surley cannot be serious. You wont even notice, youll just feel tired (lack of O2) and go to sleep, you will then probably wake up dead (you can work that one out for yourself).
I really dont know where to start with this post.

 

[jamesb]

A timely response.

Just had a co2 line whip out of it's fitting and smack me in the side of the face. My own fault for not double checking stuff first.