Propane heaters are a common technology used in commercial and larger residential bed bug heat treatments. With proper safeties and operation, propane heating systems can provide a number of highly positive benefits such as faster treatments and larger treatment capacity. However, improper use or the wrong type of portable propane heater indoors can pose both significant carbon monoxide (CO) and damage risks. Using an indoor propane heater for bed bugs with carbon monoxide detection like the Sleeptight 800 is the only way to guarantee proper oxygen levels for the technician.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: When propane heaters are used in poorly ventilated or enclosed spaces, they can lead to CO buildup, which interferes with the blood’s ability to transport oxygen. The user will not know they are building up CO, as it is a colorless, odorless gas. In severe cases, CO poisoning can result in collapse, coma, and even death.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Dizziness
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels like propane. Attempting to use and repurpose portable heating systems for indoor bed bug treatments can have harmful consequences. We will explore some different propane systems, and explain why the CSA certified Sleeptight 800 is the safest indoor propane heater for bed bugs.
Types of Portable Propane Heaters
–Forced air direct– Forced air direct propane heaters typically have a higher volume blower that blows air across an open flame; some of which are able to be ducted. Generally speaking, they have a high discharge temperature range, but much lower in comparison to torpedo/salamander systems. If used outdoors, carbon monoxide levels will remain low as long as air flowing through the machine isn’t restricted. They generally have very high BTU ratings, and can rapidly elevate CO if used indoors.
–Direct-Fired Torpedo(Salamander) Heaters– a non-ductable propane heater system that has extremely high discharge temperatures, and a small blower to aid in the combustion process. They are typically used in unfinished construction sites where combustibles are not close. Some contain oxygen depletion sensors, but do not measure carbon monoxide levels. These should never be used for bed bug treatments, but unfortunately are due to their cheap cost to purchase.
–Box-Style Direct-Fired- Enclosed flame, typically ductable. Some machines carry an indoor/outdoor rating, but do not contain carbon monoxide interruption safeties or oxygen sensors. They are intended for use in well ventilated areas such as event tents and construction sites.
–Indirect-Fired Portable indirect-fired propane heaters typically are ductable, and products of combustion are expelled through a flue stack. The heater be used indoors if the flue stack is vented properly, but is typically not practical to perform individual treatments in residential structures due to time and labor logistics of safely venting a system. They do not contain oxygen depletion sensors or carbon monoxide detection, as they have separated combustion chambers.
The Proper Technology
There are a multitude of risks for each of the propane heater types. All systems have a much higher discharge temperature, whereas the Sleeptight 800 builds heat through higher air volume with a lower temperature discharge. A lower discharge temperature will reduce the risk of damaging contents within a treatment area. The Sleeptight 800 has two blower systems built into one heater; one for the combustion process, and a secondary top blower to diffuse the air and lower the temperature to protect the space.
Some suppliers will attempt to sell systems that are not intended or built for use as indoor propane heaters, and some people will use them as a “cheaper” alternative to a system like the Sleeptight 800 Bed Bug Heater; which is specifically built for safe indoor use. Others may use them in occasional situations where their equipment cannot access the treatment area from outside. The biggest risk with using these systems inside of a bed bug treatment, is no carbon monoxide safety devices built into the heater. Not having these protections can result in serious health consequences.
Choose Safety
The indoor propane heater built for safe use in bed bug treatments is the patented Sleeptight 800. In the event the system exceeds the acceptable level for OSHA’s 8 Hour continuous exposure threshold, the heater will immediately shutoff. This helps prevent the user from operating the heater without its fresh air delivery system. If the user attempts to circumvent the safety, the integral carbon monoxide safety will shut the system down. No other systems on the market have these safeties. Using any system indoors without the safeties of the Sleeptight 800 significantly increases the risk of harm to the operator and the structure being treated.
