I have a carbon monoxide w/ explosive gas detector & battery back-up in my shop as well, Dan. I still leave a fan on and something open while forging.

All of my gas fired equipment is in a separate, less enclosed, space than the rest of my shop, it has an exhaust fan in the peak and large sliding doors to boot. However, I also got carbon monoxide detectors quite a few years ago and was astonished how they picked up a problem even with my setup! The way certain gases move does not have make sense according to our reasoning. With all of my ventilation in my forging area the detectors there will not sound off, but in my finishing room next to it they will detect a buildup of dangerous gas.

To be honest I have always been very surprised there has been so few incidents in our business over the years due to our penchant for home made equipment. I have seen some home made gas forges that scared me to be anywhere near them, and yet the owners claimed no troubles. Too often I think we confuse our justifications for lack of vigilance with just pure luck. But then something is never a problem... until it is.

Firefighters have to deal with the results of CO gas in other homes and that coupled with my personal experiences makes me quite confident in saying that this is a deadly threat that should not be underestimated. This is a silent, invisible killer that can have you before you notice many signs. When it is too late you will be found by rescue personnel with a ruddy complexion, rather than the telltale cyanotic blue, due to the saturation of this gas in your blood which readily replaces the O2 you need to live. At least you can hope it is rescue personnel, we will bring our own O2 with us when we drag you out… your family will not and could share some of the ill effects. Please don’t ask me how I know this, just do whatever it takes to protect you and your loved ones from this threat.