Month: January 2024

During heating season, the threat of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is at its peak—for homeowners and the HVACR pros making service calls. Because CO is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas, it’s critical to practice CO safety and be armed with a reliable carbon monoxide detector, proactive in its use, aware of the steps to take if CO levels are detected and able to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning.

Sources of CO 

Fuel-fired appliances, like furnaces, use combustion to create heat. Since combustion is never perfect, dangerous byproducts like CO are produced along with heat. Performing combustion analysis helps HVAC techs precisely regulate the fuel and airflow, optimizing system efficiency and safety by delivering the most heat while minimizing harmful emissions.  

CO Symptoms and Effects 

Common symptoms of CO exposure include headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Exposure might also lead to weakness, confusion, and shortness of breath. Anyone having these symptoms on the job site should immediately notify occupants, leave the area, and begin proper ventilation procedures. If the symptoms do not stop, seek medical attention immediately. Higher levels of exposure lead to chest pain, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, CO poisoning is fatal.  

Check for CO 

It’s impossible to know if CO is present without a proper CO detector. Use a “walk-around” carbon monoxide detector like the SCM4 Carbon Monoxide Detector, which features a fast, electro-chemical sensor to measure CO levels from zero to 1000 parts-per-million (ppm) in real time. For reference, 9 ppm is considered the maximum safe level of exposure over 8 hours for indoor environments and 200 ppm or greater will cause physical symptoms and can be fatal.   

Keep a CO detector and other combustion analysis tools in your HVACR toolkit for every job, regardless of the equipment being serviced, as other fuel-fired appliances may be present. Wearable CO detectors provide continuous monitoring for added safety. Home-installed CO detectors are also crucial for early warnings of elevated CO levels.

Get Certified 

Any tech working around furnaces should obtain certification in combustion performance and carbon monoxide safety. Many organizations offer certification for HVAC techs to learn about CO hazards, testing procedures using a carbon monoxide detector and an overview of the combustion process. For example, learn more about the courses offered by the Carbon Monoxide Safety Association.  

CO is a serious and frequent danger to both techs and occupants. Always practice CO safety, ensuring that fuel-fired appliances meet safety standards, keeping you and your clients safe.  

Fieldpiece products are tough, versatile, innovative and can handle the demands of working in HVACR. That’s because they were designed with the idea that every HVACR professional in the field deserves the best tools possible. Here are just a few highlights of some innovative features and technologies we developed to make your jobs easier, faster and better!

Stop Recovery on a Dime with Zero-Stop™

When recovering refrigerant, the Fieldpiece MR45 Refrigerant Recovery Machine has the ability to automatically stop the recovery at 0 psig, with additional auto stop levels of -10 inHg and -20 inHg. Stopping the recovery at 0 psig is an industry standard when recovering A2L refrigerants to prevent air from contaminating the refrigerant in the recovery cylinder.

Change Vacuum Pump Oil on the Fly with RunQuick® Oil Change

Regularly changing the oil in a vacuum pump is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and  longevity. The oil in a vacuum pump reduces friction and wear between moving parts, and over time, the oil can become contaminated with debris, moisture, and by-products of the pumping process, making clean oil an essential part to maintaining peak pump performance. To make these oil changes as quick and easy as possible, Fieldpiece vacuum pumps utilize the RunQuick Oil Change system, which allows technicians to change their oil while the pump is running. In as little as 30 seconds technicians can swap out their old oil without losing vacuum, saving time on the jobsite and increasing the life of the pump.

Eliminate the Water Trap and Extend Sensor Life with HydroCycle™ Pump and SensorVault™ Technology

The Fieldpiece CAT85 and CAT45 Combustion Analyzers feature cutting edge improvements like no other combustion analyzer. The CAT85 showcases the HydroCycle Pump, which condenses and returns water to the flu. This eliminates the need for a water trap, as well as the need to buy water trap filters, lowering the cost of ownership for technicians.

The Fieldpiece CAT85 and CAT45 Combustion Analyzers also feature SensorVault technology that help sensors last longer. SensorVault  automatically seals the sensors when the unit is powered off – isolating them from ambient oxygen, thus reducing sensor degradation when they’re in storage. If the sensor needs to be changed, they’re field-replaceable and come with a four-year warranty. This means maximum uptime on the job site, and lower cost of ownership for techs.

Measure System Temps in a Flash with Rapid Rail™ Sensor Technology

The JL3PC Job Link® System Pipe Clamp Probe, allows techs to get accurate temperature readings in seconds. By incorporating Fieldpiece’s patented Rapid Rail Sensor Technology, these clamps utilize the pipe itself as part of the sensor to immediately react to changes in system temperature. They provide accurate readings on wet or damp pipes and are not affected by wind, ambient temperature, or any other outside influence. Instant readings make it easier for a tech to get a superheat and/or subcooling measurement.

These technologies are just the tip of the innovation iceberg that Fieldpiece brings to tools and test instruments.  Fieldpiece doesn’t just introduce products, we introduce solutions designed for HVACR techs, like integrating a dual port manometer into our combustion analyzer to save space in your tool bag and color tags for hoses so you can easily swap for a spare rather than purchase a whole set.  We’re on the job with you, discovering your pain points and finding solutions. These are just a few examples of the innovative features and technologies we’ve brought to you, and there’s more coming!

To see more innovations, visit fieldpiece.com