Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that weighs about the same as air does. It cannot be expected to rise or gall like some other gasses because it will distribute itself throughout the space. Carbon monoxide can accumulate in interior spaces and exterior areas and is affected by a multitude of variables (e.g., boat geometry, hatch, window and door openings, ventilation openings, proximity to other structures, swim platforms, canvas enclosures, location of exhaust outlets, vessel attitude, wind direction, boat speed, boat system performance and maintenance, etc.)
TH-22 technical information report provides educational material about carbon monoxide relative to boats and boating. This technical information report discusses many of these variables and enables the reader to better understand some of the more predictable effects. However, this report is limited in that it cannot cover all conceivable variables, and the reader is cautioned not to rely exclusively on it to prevent the accumulation of carbon monoxide. Click here to view the document. ABYC Standard A-24: Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems is now available for free to the boating public. Click here to view the document.