How long should the oven be tested for CO in the flue during the Interim Testing Procedure?

The proper duration for testing carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the flue of an oven during the Interim Testing Procedure is five minutes. This time frame is established to ensure that a representative sample of the exhaust gases is collected, allowing for a more accurate assessment of CO emissions. Testing for this length of time helps to account for any fluctuations in combustion performance that might occur during the initial phases of operation.

Shorter testing durations, such as one or three minutes, might not capture the steady-state condition of the oven's combustion, which could lead to misleading results. On the other hand, a duration of 10 minutes, while thorough, is generally longer than necessary for achieving reliable readings, and can introduce variables that may not reflect standard operating conditions. Overall, five minutes strikes an ideal balance, ensuring accurate data collection without overextending the testing period.