Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitors & Detectors

Exposure to elevated levels of carbon dioxide has the following effects: 

• 250-350 ppm: Normal, outside air-breathing level. 
• 350 – 1,000 ppm: Normal, indoor air-breathing level. 
• 1,000 – 2000 ppm: Elevated levels in poor quality air, associated with drowsiness. 
• 2,000-5,000 ppm: High Levels in Poor Air: dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate 
• >5,000 ppm: UK Long Term Exposure Limit (8 Hour Reference Period) 
• >15,000 ppm: UK Short Term Exposure Limit 

In most workplaces and facilities, it’s the humans within the facility who are responsible for most of the carbon dioxide in the immediate atmosphere. Although typically safe in these concentrations – in poorly ventilated offices, workers can report feeling tired and drowsy where they themselves have contributed to elevated carbon dioxide levels. 

Although elevated carbon dioxide levels can be a problem in poorly ventilated office spaces, carbon dioxide is only a danger to life in workplaces and premises that either store or use carbon dioxide in their day-to-day operations. In these premises, it’s essential that carbon dioxide monitoring and detection is in place, to ensure that the owner of a premises, fulfils their duty of care to both employees, customers, and visitors.

Wherever there is carbon dioxide on the premises, there is a risk of potentially fatal carbon dioxide leak. Carbon dioxide leaks happen day in, day out – and often prove fatal. A worker typically enters an environment with high carbon dioxide concentrations, loses consciousness, falls onto the floor – where carbon dioxide concentrations are higher still. Death then occurs through asphyxiation.

It would be a misconception to believe that these accidents only happen in industrial environments, where danger is expected. These deaths and incidents take place in a wide range of environments, including restaurants, bars, and fast food kiosks.

As local regulatory agencies look to increase the safety of workers in enclosed space environments, the need for effective and reliable carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring has never been more important. 

CO2 Calculator

There is a common misconception that if using carbon dioxide (CO2) in your facility you can stay safe by using an oxygen (O2) monitor. 

The team here at Analox want to dispel this myth so we can ensure you and your team stay safe when using and storing CO2. 

CO2 is a toxic gas meaning that even at relatively low levels it can have dangerous effects on the human body. In the event of a CO2 leak, the CO2 will begin to displace the O2 in the area, however, O2 sensors typically have alarm levels set at around 19.5% and 18% so by the time the CO2 has displaced enough oxygen to trigger these alarm levels the CO2 levels will be dangerously high.

If using CO2, your safety monitor must be a CO2 monitor, this is critical so you are alerted to any leaks at levels which still give you time to take action to keep everyone safe.  This also helps to save you money as leaks can be addressed early and in the current times of CO2 shortages, protecting this precious resource is key to any business. 

We’ve made this calculator so you can check the resultant O2 levels when the ambient CO2 level changes.

Remember: You CANNOT use an O2 sensor to measure CO2 levels. CO2 levels become hazardous to life long before the CO2 displaces enough O2 for it to trigger an O2 alarm.