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Off-Duty Firefighter Saves 30 Diners After Noticing Carbon Monoxide Leak in North Carolina Restaurant

By | AGS, Fire & Environment Safety

On December 14th Lonnie Wimmer, one off-duty North Carolina firefighter, ensured dozens of people happy and healthy holidays when he noticed signs of a potentially deadly carbon monoxide leak while dining at a restaurant over the weekend. Lonnie was attending a birthday party at the River Ridge Taphouse in Clemmons on Saturday when he and other patrons began to experience headaches and nausea, LFD Assistant Chief Steve Williams tells PEOPLE. After immediately calling the LFD and alerting them to what he deciphered was a carbon monoxide leak multiple ambulances responded, and all restaurant patrons were evacuated, Williams said. Around 30 people showed signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, with at least 16 transported to local hospitals.

At AGS we want to provide a solution to help restaurant owners protect members of the public as well as their workers. When solid fuel is burned, products of combustion, including carbon monoxide gas, are released. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas with no taste, smell or color. Moderate exposure can lead to serious permanent ill-health effects or death. Children, pregnant women, smokers and people with heart or breathing problems are particularly at risk. The early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to common ailments such as flu or upset stomach, but can escalate very quickly. Symptoms can include: Headache; Abdominal pain; Nausea/vomiting; Chest pains; Breathlessness; Dizziness; Collapse.

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American Gas Safety have a number of products to protect staff from the exposure of carbon monoxide within the commercial kitchen environment, such as our Merlin 1500S (pictured above). We also supply and manufacture Carbon Monoxide alarms, exhaust fan activation, visual Carbon Dioxide traffic light indication and much more. AGS products also cover residential properties by using our Mini Merlin, a combined methane & carbon monoxide detector & boiler rooms with our GDP range. Please email or call our team at AGS for any further information info@americangassafety.com or call (727)-608-4375

Official article – https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/off-duty-firefighter-saves-30-205828822.html

 

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Explosion reported in NW Portland; 8 injured, including 3 firefighters

By | AGS, Kitchen Interlock

On October 19th, a huge explosion has been reported from a restaurant in Portland that has destroyed the building and surrounding properties! This has apparently been ignited by a natural gas leak, ripping through a building on Wednesday along the popular Northwest 23rd Avenue shopping district, causing destruction and injuring eight people, including three firefighters, authorities said.

This could have been prevented by installing or specifying a Gas Safety system. Our Merlin controllers will detect any Methane leaks and it will also not allow gas into the restaurant without the exhaust hood running. The Merlin 1500S and 2000S are perfect for this situation. Allowing key lock authority over the gas supply to the kitchen and auto shut down of the supply if and when dangerous levels of Methane is present. Plus, in the event of a fire can be linked into the Ansul system and Fire Alarm.
2000S AGS (2)

If you are designing or upgrading any commercial kitchen please don’t hesitate to get in touch with AGS – info@americangassafety.com or 727-608-4375

Official article – http://s.oregonlive.com/ev8owaP

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Fire House Protection

By | AGS, Fire & Environment Safety

American Gas Safety protects many environments with its modern solutions for gas safety. One such environment which you may not recognize as requiring such a level of safety is your local fire house. Turns out the guys and gals who spend their time protecting us need that little bit of security and safety built into their working environments.
Here’s the scenario; Team A is busy prepping work gear and generally preparing themselves for a long shift at the fire house. Someone is cooking the team’s meal, a nice hearty fuel enriched stew on the gas range in the kitchen.
The fire alarm annunciation signal goes off, everyone springs into action, with only the safety of the general public on their minds. Did someone forget to turn off the gas stove?

firehouse

It happens much more often then you would think, but fires in fire houses is not uncommon. The Merlin range of gas safety and isolation panels has a solution.

The Merlin 1000Si and 1000S+i are perfect for this situation. Allowing key lock authority over the gas supply to the kitchen and auto shut down of that supply if and when the fire alarm annunciation signal is live. Coupled with detectors and remote knock off buttons we can protect the personnel whilst they go about protecting us.

We have created a CAD file to demonstrate the Merlin system and to form a basis for specification, the CAD file can be viewed at http://americangassafety.com/product/merlin-1000si-2/

Link the Merlin 1000Si or 1000S+i to a lockable knock off button or the Merlin CT500s and you can control and protect the stations outdoor grill with the same system.

1000S

1000S

For more information regarding the Fire House protection solution from AGS please contact your local representative. www.americangassafety.com Tel: (727)608-4375

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Are Your Loved Ones Safe?

By | Fire & Environment Safety

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Although it is a by product of normal animal metabolism it is dangerous at high concentration levels. Carbon Monoxide is also generated by fossil fuel burning appliances like stoves, heaters and generators and its these appliances which we need to be careful of.

Even though there are rigorous code and regulations governing these appliances and their flue’s, it only takes a little human error or short sightedness or maybe a change in the weather to transform these appliances into deadly machines.

Carehome

Recently, residents at a Grand Island, NY nursing home were evacuated from parts of their building after high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the basement. According to Buffalo News, firefighters detected dangerous carbon monoxide levels of 350 to 400 parts per million in the basement near a boiler which provides hot water and heat to the two story building.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that carbon monoxide is the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in the U.S every year. The gas is responsible for about 15,000 emergency room visits and 500 deaths.

The boiler at the Grand Island care facility was found to have a blocked exhaust flue. Blocked by snow. An unforeseen result of the days heavy snow fall.

Luckily, no one was injured or needed further aid at the nursing home and the high levels of carbon monoxide were confined to the basement. The snow blocking the exhaust of the poisonous gas was removed and fans were employed to help dissipate the room.

Early warning is vital when dealing with carbon monoxide and the immediate shut-off of the supply of the poisonous gas is advantageous. American Gas Safety’s GSP range of gas safety panels, when combined with the digital CO detectors will immediately sound an alarm, shut-off the incoming gas supply to appliances via a solenoid valve and even alert the buildings BMS or existing fire alarm system.

Most Carbon Monoxide poisonings happen in winter, as people are more likely to stay in confined spaces for longer periods of time and close ventilation with the intention of stopping drafts. Most states have laws and legislation to help with detection and prevention of CO poisoning but its always worth checking with your care facilities to see if their standard of detection and alarm is up to date and sufficient to protect your loved ones whilst they sleep. It only takes a question on your next visit and it could save the lives of your loved ones and others who resided at the facilities.

For more information on the life saving abilities of the Merlin GSP range of safety panels and the other products available from American Gas Safety please check out the website or give the office a call on (727) 608-4375