WHY is there a vent in my hotel room door? Carbon monoxide poisoning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no smoke/CO detector in the room?

THANK YOU PP!! Because of your comment I climbed on a chair and checked- it's a double smoke detector and CO detector!

Woo hoo!! Looks like I can block the vent and rest easy.

You are the MVP of the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, that vent is not for CO. That makes no sense. Just cover it up.

How does it make no sense? I would love someone to explain the mechanics of CO ventilation so I can understand, because it's worrying.

Also- why is it there anyway? It's not like New Mexico is balmy the whole year...

Because if your heating unit was pumping CO into the room, a door vent would not keep you from getting CO poisoning. That note on the unit is for the installation. Don't block anything on the heating unit and you'll be fine. Do you have anxiety issues?

Nope, i don't.

So you're saying that in order for the heater to have worked and passed inspection, it would HAVE to have the chimney, the door vent would not be sufficient?

No thoughts about WHY the vent is on the door then?

Hotel rooms are required to meet minimum ventilation standards. The vent on the door is probably a cheap way to bring the hotel rooms up to code. They have nothing to do with the heating systems ventilation needs.

Right.... and my worry is doing something (like blocking the vent) which would make the hotel room not up to code. I should think that would be obvious...

Not up to code for your fresh air requirements. You are getting fresh air, but it's cold air. If you don't want to be cold, cover it up. It has nothing to do with the heater and you won't die of CO poisoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no smoke/CO detector in the room?

THANK YOU PP!! Because of your comment I climbed on a chair and checked- it's a double smoke detector and CO detector!

Woo hoo!! Looks like I can block the vent and rest easy.

You are the MVP of the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no smoke/CO detector in the room?

THANK YOU PP!! Because of your comment I climbed on a chair and checked- it's a double smoke detector and CO detector!

Woo hoo!! Looks like I can block the vent and rest easy.

You are the MVP of the thread.

Glad it had a happy ending OP.

[Anonymous]

I stayed in a historic hotel in New Mexico and it had vents in the doors, too! My major issue was how much noise would come in from the hall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I stayed in a historic hotel in New Mexico and it had vents in the doors, too! My major issue was how much noise would come in from the hall.

So strange! I wonder why this is... I've been to New Mexico before and found it gets pretty cold at night usually. I really can't understand it. Do you mind me asking what part of New Mexico it was in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, that vent is not for CO. That makes no sense. Just cover it up.

How does it make no sense? I would love someone to explain the mechanics of CO ventilation so I can understand, because it's worrying.

Also- why is it there anyway? It's not like New Mexico is balmy the whole year...

Because if your heating unit was pumping CO into the room, a door vent would not keep you from getting CO poisoning. That note on the unit is for the installation. Don't block anything on the heating unit and you'll be fine. Do you have anxiety issues?

Nope, i don't.

So you're saying that in order for the heater to have worked and passed inspection, it would HAVE to have the chimney, the door vent would not be sufficient?

No thoughts about WHY the vent is on the door then?

Hotel rooms are required to meet minimum ventilation standards. The vent on the door is probably a cheap way to bring the hotel rooms up to code. They have nothing to do with the heating systems ventilation needs.

Right.... and my worry is doing something (like blocking the vent) which would make the hotel room not up to code. I should think that would be obvious...

Not up to code for your fresh air requirements. You are getting fresh air, but it's cold air. If you don't want to be cold, cover it up. It has nothing to do with the heater and you won't die of CO poisoning.

Don't cover it up. It is to prevent CO poisoning because it provides sufficient combustion air supply to the furnace in your room. Normally with enough air it burns cleanly and hot gases head up chimney. If there is in sufficient oxygen, the combustion is incomplete and CO can result. And CO tends to sink so may. It exit out chimney (most CO detectors should be at foot level).

[Anonymous]

Actually, CO is about the same density as the regular room air so it doesn't sink or rise. CO detectors should not be placed at foot level.

http://healthybuildingscience.com/2013/02/22/carbon-monoxide-facts/

"CO is slightly lighter than air. However, studies have shown no significant difference in measurements based on what height CO detectors are mounted. Different manufacturers recommend different mounting locations, and you should always follow the manufacturers’ recommendation."

[Anonymous]

The vent is to provide enough fresh air for the furnace to burn properly. Do not cover it up or the furnace may not work properly. Ask for an electric blanket and pick a less rustic place to stay next time.

[Anonymous]

Same goes for a home's furnace re: ventilation. Building Code in DC is that any room with a furnace either not have a door that can be closed or the door must have at least two 10x10 inch vents, for combustion purposes. If your cabin is small and it has its own furnace, then I expect that explains needing the vents.

[Anonymous]

And please consider speaking to a professional about anxiety.