Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Faulty Appliances and Maintenance Negligence

Most carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings trace back to defective or poorly maintained fuel‑burning appliances and unsafe venting. Proper installation, annual inspection, and code‑compliant combustion air and exhaust are non‑negotiable. When installers cut corners or owners skip service, CO can accumulate indoors without warning. Rapid scene control and equipment preservation are critical to proving what went wrong.

Sources and Failure Modes

Most exposures trace back to predictable breakdowns in combustion, venting, or airflow.

• Furnaces/boilers and water heaters: incomplete combustion, cracked heat exchangers, improper vent sizing, backdrafting
• Fireplaces/gas logs: blocked or missing flues, glass‑front leakage, negative pressure
• Kitchen appliances and space heaters: unvented or improperly vented devices
• Pool heaters and laundry equipment: high‑BTU appliances in tight mechanical rooms
• Venting defects: loose connectors, corrosion, dislodged terminations, nests, ice
• Improper fuel conversions (natural gas/propane), lack of makeup air, tight homes
• Remodels that altered pressure/vent paths; undersized returns and exhaust conflicts
• Skipped annual service; unqualified or rushed maintenance

Key Proof to Preserve

Locking down the equipment and documentation early is critical to proving fault.

• Immediate retention of appliances, venting, and detectors—no repairs or disposal
• On‑site expert testing: combustion analysis, draft, pressure, and CO mapping
• Compliance review: codes, manufacturer instructions, installation manuals
• Work orders, maintenance logs, invoices, and technician credentials
• Prior service notes, red tags, nuisance alarm history, and tenant complaints
• Utility records, weather data, and building ventilation drawing