Carbon Monoxide Risk Mitigation
Carbon monoxide and radon tests are more frequently associated with residential real estate, as such testing is commonplace when buying or selling a house, as carbon monoxide and radon issues directly affect home values and liveability. And though many outside the real estate business might not consider it, such testing is an integral part of the valuation of a commercial real estate investment.
You may have read our previous post entitled A Post: On Carbon Monoxide, and if you did, then great; however, here is a brief review of this often-deadly gas:
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is produced in a commercial setting by burning wood, gasoline, heating oil, and other fuels. Everyday items, whether commercial or residential, that utilize combustion such as furnaces, stoves, grils, fireplaces, and water heaters, can all be sources of carbon monoxide. It follows that an issue with an office bulding’s central heating system can very well produce unsafe quantities of this gas. CO is an odorless gas, which greatly adds to its dangerousness.
Here are some suggestions on how to mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide throughout your commercial real estate investments:
Install CO detectors if this is not already part of a centralized fire and CO detection system
Even if the CO detectors within your property are part of a centralized system, make certain to purchase CO detectors that are both plug-in and have a battery-powered back-up
Have your CO-producing systems tested two to four times per year either by internal maintenance personnell or by an external maintenance company. Keep records of each of these tests
Test the centralized fire/CO detection system two to four times per year. Keep records of each of these tests . As an extra measure, ask the property’s local fire department to test the centralized and individual CO detectors once per year. Keep a record of this test
And finally, outline plans that directly address CO emergencies ranging from symtpoms of dangerous CO levels to failed CO detection systems
Avoiding the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning takes diligence. Mitigating the risk in a commercial real estate setting is well worth the cost and effort. As always, consistency and a comprehensive approach are frequently the best solutions to any real estate investment and management issue. Contact Industrial Commercial Real Estate to discusss how we can provide thorough carbon monixide mitigation and other real estate investment protection solutions.
Remember, if you notice any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, then it is always best to contact emergency medical professionals immediately.
