Connecting With Experts in the Fight Against CO Poisoning: The NCOAA 2023 CO Safety Summit

On July 31-August 2, 2023, UL Standards & Engagement served as a platinum sponsor of the 2023 CO Safety Summit of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association, held in Wilmington, NC. The three-day event was dedicated to education, research, case studies, data, new technologies, and best practices for prevention and detection of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

During the summit, fire marshals and fire service professionals, carbon monoxide professionals, and community risk reduction experts from around the world presented on topics including emergency response; science and innovation; surveillance data; and codes, standards, and regulations. ULSE Director of Standards Programs Diane Haithcock presented on our safety standards that have been proven to effectively mitigate CO poisoning, and she also encouraged summit participants to share their expertise by getting involved in the ULSE standards development process.

“I’m very proud to have joined the experts on the front lines in the fight against CO poisoning, and deeply compelled to address this issue after speaking with those who have lost loved ones,” Haithcock said. “ULSE is working to help protect consumers from CO poisoning with standards for portable generators and carbon monoxide alarms, and we rely on the input and expertise of these individuals to help in the ongoing development of these standards.”

In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the publication of a staff report that determined UL 2201, the Standard for Safety for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Emission Rate of Portable Generators, would avert nearly 100% of deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in testing scenarios that were based on CPSC data of fatal incidents with non-compliant generators in enclosed spaces. In order to comply with the requirements in this Standard, a portable generator must produce a low emission rate, and it must also be equipped with a CO sensor that will automatically shut the unit off if certain concentrations of CO are detected.

Additionally, UL 2034, the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, requires CO alarms for homes and vehicles to report at carbon monoxide levels below those that cause a loss of ability to react to dangerous CO exposure – to help ensure occupants can escape to fresh air before the CO accumulation reaches deadly levels. The Standard also requires CO alarms to sound an audible end-of-life tone (indicating the need for device replacement) that is different from the alarm signal.

If you would like to contribute your expertise toward the ongoing development of safety Standards in the fight against CO poisoning, please take a moment to learn how you can get involved.