greenhouse heating and the dangers?

[Snadger]

Does paraffin give off carbon monoxide when burned? I know it gives of carbon dioxide which promotes plant growth.!

With beurocracy rampant in all things I'd be surprised if a Risk Assessment hasn't been done by someone, at some time, as it comes under the COSHH regulations!

[The Doctor]

Doesn't the ratio of carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide given off depend on the level of oxygen and therefore efficiency of combustion?

In other words, insufficient ventilation causes incomplete burning and more carbon monoxide. Just like gas boilers.

Or is paraffin completely different?

[SMS6]

Well as I was really confused about all this heating business I settled for buying a very small paraffin frost buster and so far this has been adequate in the greenhouse.

Tomatoes seem to appreciate it, they've come on really well in the last few days and the grapes are recovering nicely

[djhs196]

Just been researching on the forum a little on propane greenhouse heaters and came across this in the search results, but did want to flag up a couple a couple of comments saying that they weren't aware of any cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in greenhouses.

I know that the most recent one I remember is date after this comments, but tragically did occur. Mr Bisby from Sheffield:

Man died after inhaling fumes in greenhouse - Sheffield Telegraph

"A KEEN gardener who sat in his greenhouse after a row with his wife was killed by paraffin heater fumes, an inquest heard"

Not day to day normal circumstances I know, but does flag that the warnings of good ventilation / maintained heaters aren't overkill.

[Akumos]

My partner has an old paraffin heater some where in the garage and he suggested we use that BUT that's just it, it is an old one and I'm not convinced how safe it would be.

You can buy carbon manoxide deterctors for very cheap. Keep one of these in your greenhouse too!!

Ei Electronics Carbon Monoxide Detector Ei 201 at Wilkinson Plus

[phillw]

Hi all im new to all this, i have a green house with poly carbonate windows and its 6ft x 6ft and we have now put a paraffin heater in to keep it warm as we are growing veg etc in there for the reptiles we have. when we go in to get some veg for reptiles obviously we can smell the paraffin fumes and before we give to the reptiles we wash the veg, would the veg still be ok to feed to the reptiles or not

[rustylady]

Do you really need to heat the greenhouse at the moment Phil? If you can smell paraffin fumes then your heater is not properly adjusted.

[Thelma Sanders]

I can always smell the paraffin whether the heater is alight or not - they just dooo smell.
Takes me back to our kitchen when I was little

[phillw]

no instructions with it, its similar to the parassena one's but it has a black fuel tank with twin brass wick burners any idea what brand it is as there isn't any markings what it is, we are growing tomatoes, cucumbers and various other stuff for the tortoises. what sort of temp does it drop below at night before i should light the heater and is it best to leave window slightly open for the fumes etc.

[phillw]

found its a eltex bretshaw

[Potstubsdustbins]

Paraffin/Kerosene is a hydrocarbon and will therefore as with all other carbon fuels give of carbon monoxide if not correctly adjusted and given the correct amount of air to burn correctly.

Having said that unless your green house is damn near airtight there should be enough adventitious ventilation to allow complete combustion if the burners are correctly adjusted.

The thing with paraffin heaters is that they and the fuel they contain warm up after lighting this changes the volatility of the fuel allowing faster evaporation and easier burning.

The correct lighting proceedure is to light and adjust the flames, then check and adjust after 5 to 10 minutes and then check and adjust again after a further 10 minutes.

The warning sign is soot. If any carbon fuel burning appliance is producing soot then it is producing carbon monoxide as well.

You need very little CO in atmosphere to cause illness. As little as 0.4% will give a 60% saturation of haemoglobin in a few minutes. 30% to 40% saturation will lead to impaired judgement and possible collapse. 50% to 60% will lead to loss of consciousness and coma.

All good news what.

Coln

[phillw]

hi potstubsdustbin when you say adjust if you see soot i take it i must increase the wick a little bit at a time

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Phil,

No, if it is producing soot the flame is to high and you will get incomplete combustion i.e. less carbon dioxide and more carbon monoxide.

If you are getting soot when the heater is turned down it usually means one of two things. Either your wicks need triming or there is not enough air to provide the required oxygen for complete combustion.

Hope that helps Colin

[Glutton4...]

Go and buy a Carbon Monoxide detector from your local DIY shop. It will cost you a tenner, and may save your life.

DO IT!

Thank you.

[Madasafish]

I have used paraffin heaters in my greenhouse for over 30 years with no gas poisoning, no soot and no ill effects on either me or my plants.

That is solely due to the fact I know what I am doing - having been taught as a lad when our parents had paraffin heaters in a very cold and draughty house in N Scotland. Central heating? None.

But incompetent use and haste will result in soot.

Carbon monoxide in a greenhouse? From a paraffin heater? Theoretically possible but if it' a yellow flame heater more likely to go out first due to carbon dioxide build up. More possible with a blue flame heater.

But in practise, the air leaks round doors mean it's most unlikely..

For reasons of control and economy I am going electric.. only 40 metres of cable required. Temporary wiring with lcd and cable reel connected to waterproof sockets.. £65.