FAQ: CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

See also our Exhaust Extensions and Catalytic Converters FAQ pages.

VENTRY Fans have low CO levels, especially compared to other PPV Fans

VENTRY Fans do not have problems of high CO/carbon monoxide levels that other fans do when proper ventilation techniques are used. VENTRY Fans simply push more air with less horsepower than other brands so dilute the CO produced during combustion better than less efficient fans.

It is not HORSEPOWER you need from a PPV Fan. It is AIR VOLUME.

CO does not accumulate if the air is flowing well and you are moving a lot of it. Note: you must have an adequate exit for the air flow as well as sufficient input. The low CO levels on VENTRY gas fans are a testament to their efficiency.

If you have carbon monoxide levels high enough that you are considering exhaust extensions, consider getting a better fan instead!

OSHA standards prohibit worker exposure to more than 50 parts of carbon monoxide gas per million parts (ppm). CO levels on all gas-powered VENTRY Fan models are well below this level.

Source: OSHA Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet from osha.gov, retrived July 29, 2010. Click here to open the fact sheet, on the OSHA site, in a new window.

We use the same Honda engines on our gas fans as other fan manufacturers, but much smaller models. Our props utilize that horsepower better, producing more air volume with less engine power. Getting higher air volumes using smaller engines means VENTRY Fans produce less carbon monoxide to begin with. This is especially important if you use a PPV Fan for fire fighter rehab.

To realize these efficiencies, VENTRY fans combine several features. First, the tripod leg design allows you to raise the fan off the ground, allowing more air to get to the propeller. Without legs, box fans sit on the ground, and the bottom portion of the prop is partially starved of air. (Always extend the legs on your VENTRY Fan, even if only 6 inches, to prevent the prop starvation situation of leg-less and shrouded fans.)

Second, our propeller design is based on the same technology as aircraft propellers. We produce much more thrust using much less horsepower than conventional blower blades. Recall physics and Newton's Third Law of Motion: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The more thrust we produce (ie the harder the fan is pushing) the more air we are moving (pushing). Our fan blades push the air instead of beating it up! By the way, in addition to reduced CO levels, the ability of VENTRY Fans to produce more air from less engine power also results in less noise, less weight, and less expense! Together, these features create a very versatile fan with many advantages over ground hugger fans with conventional propellers.

Zero Carbon Monoxide Please note: When using gasoline-powered PPV Fans for cleanup and overhaul, they can be used for negative pressure. Turn your VENTRY Fan around and let it suck 100% fresh air through the structure and blow the exhaust away. This is an effective method for using a gasoline fan to achieve zero CO. For those interested in zero CO levels, we also offer electric fans. Electric fans emit zero carbon monoxide and can be an extremely powerful tool against Silent Killers like carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and sub-micron particle exposures.

We urge all firefighters to watch this short, important video. Click the link at left to open TheSilentKiller.net in a new window. Close the window to return to this site. VENTRY Electric Fans are effective safety tools for combatting this deadly threat.

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