Many people wonder if and how they can use a generator inside a garage or another confined location without risking injury or death. Portable generators require open air to operate safely.
Place the portable far from any openings in the building to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home. The carbon monoxide gas that is generated is highly toxic. It is recommended to place your portable somewhere that is dry and out of the way of moisture like rain or snow.
There’s no sugarcoating the fact that safely running a generator in a garage not easy and involves some degree of danger. There is a certain procedure to follow to minimize risk, but sometimes it’s unavoidable.
Risks Involved in Running a Generator Indoors
Most security professionals agree that it is a bad idea to run a generator inside of a building, such as a garage.
For some, this may seem like a bit of a stretch. Of course, that’s not the case. That is to say, the following dangers are present while using a generator in a garage:
1. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
The carbon monoxide is released when the generator is running. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent assassin since it lacks both color and smell. Lack of airflow is a problem in any enclosed area.
Consequently, the generator’s carbon monoxide exhaust is trapped inside the house. Carbon monoxide accumulates indoors over time, posing a serious threat due to the fact that the gas is invisible and odorless.
One’s family could die from carbon monoxide poisoning if a generator is being run in the garage. The generator’s exhaust fumes can easily permeate the rest of the house if they’re vented into the garage, where the car is kept. You probably wouldn’t notice anyhow because it lacks both color and smell.
Sealing between the garage and the living space will not prevent the toxic vapors from entering the home and endangering your family. Several studies have found that the exhaust from generators located too close to people’s homes causes the deaths of several individuals every year.
2. Heat
The excessive heat generated by a generator within a closed place like a garage can be quite hazardous. Running a generator in a detached garage can be convenient, but you’ll need to make sure there’s enough circulation and ventilation to prevent the generator from overheating.
3. Noise
You are fully aware of the noise that generators make. Running it in the garage will disrupt the peace of your home and make it unpleasant to live in or sleep in.
Running the generator in a garage with insulated walls and doors may allow you to ignore the hum of the motor, but it won’t help with the vibration.
How to Safely Run a Generator in A Garage?
As was previously said, there are numerous dangers connected with using a generator within a garage. We would advise you to seek the advice of a professional in the field of safety to make sure you and your loved ones are not in danger.
Despite the fact that it is not advised to run a generator in a garage due to the risks stated above, there is a procedure that may be followed to lessen those risks.
1. Get a CO Detector
Putting up carbon monoxide detectors in the garage and around the house is a smart move.
When these tiny devices detect elevated levels in the air, they immediately sound an alarm. Installing one of these inexpensive detectors in strategic locations around your home is the safest way to ensure that you and your family are not exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if you decide to run a generator in your garage, even if it has adequate ventilation.
This kind of smart CO detector that can alert you on your phone is highly recommended.
2. Good Ventilation is essential
Keeping the generator’s carbon monoxide exhaust outside the garage is essential for safe operation.
The best way to ensure enough ventilation is to open all the garage’s windows and doors.
Then, position the generator as close to the garage door as possible to maximize ventilation and the rate at which carbon monoxide can be exhausted.
An additional viable option is to use a powerful fan to vent the gas from the garage.
3. Generator Exhaust Extension
Make sure the generator’s exhaust is vented outside if you’re going to be using it in a garage. One solution is to extend the exhaust pipe leading from the generator to the outside.
4. Limit staying around the generator
If you must use a generator inside, keep yourself well away from it.
Carbon monoxide, as was previously stated, has no discernible taste or smell. Running it in a well-ventilated garage still increases the likelihood that carbon monoxide (CO) will be present, though you probably won’t feel its presence.
If you want to reduce your exposure to carbon monoxide, it’s better to leave the garage when the generator is running.
5. Don’t Store flammables in the Garage
Extremely flammable vapors can be released from gasoline tanks. These vapors can quickly permeate an enclosed room (like a garage) if kept there for any length of time.
Carbon monoxide is combustible, therefore starting the generator at the same moment might cause the entire building to blow.
Keeping gasoline in the garage could potentially cause an explosion, therefore it’s best to keep it somewhere else.
6. Don’t Overload the Generator
People aren’t good at following instructions, so they plug up as many devices as they can to the generator. Naturally, this causes the generator to become overloaded.
Because of the limited space, the results of overloading a generator in a garage are especially disastrous. No one wants a generator explosion or fire in their garage, and yet that’s exactly what may happen if it’s overloaded.
To be sure your generator can handle the devices you intend to connect to it, I suggest reading the instructions.
7. Use compatible Extension Cords
At first glance, power lines don’t appear to be very dangerous. However, generator extension cords pose significant dangers such as tripping hazards and short-circuits.
For this reason, it is important to always double-check the generator’s user handbook to see what kinds of extension cables are compatible with it.
If your manual doesn’t specify what kind of power cord to use, go with the heavy-duty variety.
8. Never Refill When the Generator is Running
Inflammability is a major concern around gasoline. It’s common knowledge. Therefore, it is highly discouraged to fill the tank of the running generator, since this could result in a catastrophic explosion.
So, it is better to turn off the generator and fill the tank while it is not in use. The generator can be restarted without risk after the tank has been refilled.
Alternatives to Running Generator in Your Garage
1. Get an Indoor Generator
Generators that don’t release carbon monoxide are the best option for use in a garage. So, basically, what you’re looking for is a massive solar-powered indoor generators. The best solar-powered generator, in our opinion, may be used inside a garage or a house.
2. Aftermarket Quiet Box or Cover
If you want to run your generator outside without worrying about the elements, though, a shield cover is a great investment. Put it next to your garage, cover it, and run it without worrying about the weather damaging your pricey generator.
Last Words
There are too many potential negative outcomes for operating a generator in attached garage. Even if you believe the garage is well aired, you could end up poisoning the air throughout the rest of the house.
Use a detached garage for the generator, or construct a weatherproof room with thick concrete walls and adequate ventilation outside of or adjacent to the garage. You would then have peace of mind knowing your family’s health wouldn’t be jeopardized.
