ASTM E2292-03

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E 2292 – 03
Standard Practice for
Investigating Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2292; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope useful in that its output provides almost instantaneous concen-
tration data, and it therefore has the capability to warn the
1.1 This practice covers guidelines for collecting and pre-
investigator if carbon monoxide levels are reaching dangerous
serving information and physical evidence related to incidents
concentrations.
involving the poisoning of individuals by carbon monoxide.
4.2 Reagent Tube Indicator—Several types of reagent tube
1.2 This practice is not intended to be a guide for investi-
indicators are available for measuring carbon monoxide, car-
gating carbon monoxide poisoning caused by hostile fires.
bon dioxide, and fuel gases. Reagent tubes capable of respond-
Guidance on the investigation of carbon monoxide poisonings
ing to concentrations of 0 to 100 ppm, 0 to 1000 ppm, and 0 to
related to fire can be found in NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and
1 % carbon monoxide in air are recommended.
Explosion Investigations.
4.3 Ventilation Equipment—A fan or similar device should
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be available to allow flushing the air space around equipment
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
between tests.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.4 All equipment shall be calibrated at least annually.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Safety
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 Testing equipment suspected of causing carbon monox-
ide poisoning can yield definitive results that cannot be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
obtained any other way. Testing equipment that may have
E 678 Practice for Evaluation of Technical Data
injured individuals; however, is a potentially dangerous under-
E 860 Practice for Examining And Testing Items That Are
taking, in that the investigator runs the risk of becoming
or May Become Involved in Litigation
exposed to carbon monoxide being produced by improperly
E 1020 Practice for Reporting Incidents
functioning equipment.
2.2 NFPA Standards:
5.2 Safe testing procedures are of the utmost importance.
NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code
3 Before any testing is planned, a safety officer shall be identi-
NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
fied. The safety officer’s responsibilities shall be to protect the
3. Significance and Use safety and health of the investigator and any individuals who
may be affected by the testing.
3.1 Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for approxi-
5.3 Stable communications should be assured between the
mately 300 deaths annually in the U.S., (excluding fire deaths)
site and emergency service providers.
and carbon monoxide poisoning causes thousands of individu-
5.4 Until its safe operation has been verified, only one
als to seek medical attention.
person at a time should be allowed into any space where a
3.2 This practice is intended for use by individuals who
piece of equipment is being tested for carbon monoxide output.
investigate incidents involving carbon monoxide poisoning. If
That person should remain within sight of the safety officer or
this procedure is followed, the cause for the carbon monoxide
another individual capable of rescuing that individual from the
poisoning incident may be determined, and steps can be taken
space.
to prevent future incidents.
5.5 All testing shall be discussed in detail with all individu-
4. Equipment
als involved in the testing, prior to the beginning of any test.
4.1 Electronic Carbon Monoxide Monitor—A direct read-
6. Procedure
ing electronic monitor having a range of 0 to 1000 ppm is
6.1 Scene Security—the first priority is to evacuate the
scene and prevent further injuries or loss of life.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on Forensic
6.1.1 After evacuation, the scene should be secured, and if
Sciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.05 on Engineering.
possible, a field measurement of carbon monoxide levels in
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published June 2003.
2 various locations around the scene should be taken.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Available from NFPA, 470 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02210.
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E2292–03
6.1.2 The fuel supply to the scene should be turned off. This equipment service personnel, law enforcement officers, code
may require the switching off of internal combustion engines, enforcement officers, and the insurance carrier for any of the
or the closing of valves for gaseous or liquid fuels. parties listed above.
6.7 Notify individuals who have been identified as possibly
6.2 Documentary Information—collect information related
having an interest in the testing of the time that the tests are
to the poisoning event, including emergency phone line record-
going to take place. For additional guidance on notification, see
ings, and medical records, particularly those that describe the
Practice E 860.
blood gas analysis of the victims. Obtain statements as early as
6.7.1
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