New gas detector did its job well

The Gas Detection Project recently issued new Ventis Pro5 personal gas monitors (PGMs) to our Specialist Fire Investigators to replace their ‘end of life’ QRae and MicroRae monitors.  

Specialist Fire Investigator Kirk Davis based in Counties Manukau had reason to use his new gas detector recently at a fatal house fire. Kirk recounts how it went. 

‘At approximately 1.50pm my PGM alarmed briefly as I lifted a heater. I stepped outside and it cleared very quickly. Both Colin Melville (FIAUCK04) and I then moved inside together back towards the area where my alarm had activated a minute or two earlier, and a Police detective followed.  

‘Within approximately 30 seconds, both of our PGMs activated strongly. We immediately left the building, and I advised the Police officer that we should move well away from the building. I asked FIAUCK04 to contact FireCom and advise them of the activation and to respond a pump that could check why it had activated. As that call was made, I noticed smoke showing from the lower level of the house, near to where we had been working, so a second call to FireCom was made. 

‘On reviewing the PGM it showed a Peak CO level of 53. As I was in full PPE, including a full-face mask, I had not noticed any sign of the smoke or fire until exiting the building, as it was impossible to smell through the PPE. There is no doubt that the personal gas detector did the job it was designed to do by detecting the carbon monoxide and alerting us to it.  

‘This was the first time the PGM had activated on a job other than from me breathing on it, so it was awesome to see that it worked, and that the work the gas detection project has done on this was so worthwhile. Who knows how long we could have been in a high CO environment before noticing or, as a worst case, been in a house that we didn’t know was burning!’