Re: [A/S] Cataletic Heaters/Oxygen Sensor

[Airstream12557@xxxxxxx]

Yes, Noah, there is a difference.  First, with a catalytic heater, your 
concern needs to be with oxygen depletion.  For this you need plenty of 
ventilation to replenish the oxygen that is consumed by the heater.  This 
should be addressed in the manufacturer's literature with your heater.  An 
aftermarket oxygen sensor will alert you when the oxygen level gets too low.

Within reason, carbon dioxide is not a concern.  The concern with combustion 
appliances (your stove, oven, gas lights, etc.) is that they burn the fuel 
(LP gas or white gas) and give off carbon monoxide as a product of 
combustion.  CARBON MONOXIDE is poison.  Automobile (gasoline burning 
engines) exhaust contains a lot of carbon monoxide.  A CARBON MONOXIDE 
detector is a good idea to protect against this combustion byproduct.  Carbon 
monoxide concern is why they tell us not to use the oven as a substitute for 
your furnace.  It is also why you should check your fire box on a gas furnace 
to make sure there are no cracks.  It is easier to use a CO (carbon monoxide) 
detector than to make the fire box inspection.

Carbon dioxide, like nitrogen, is not poison.  The only concern is that our 
appliances do not consume too much of the oxygen and don't leave enough 
oxygen in the atmosphere to meet our breathing needs.  That is why you need 
proper ventilation to replenish the oxygen that is consumed in combustion.  
Since water is also a product of combustion, another benefit of proper 
ventilation is that it also gets the excess moisture out of our trailers.  

To be on the save side, you would need an LP detector (now required by code), 
an oxygen sensor, a carbon monoxide detector, and a smoke detector.  

Sam
WBCCI 12557