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CO Safety
Carbon Monoxide from a Poorly Maintained Furnace can be Deadly
Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colourless and odourless
poisonous gas often referred to as ‘the silent killer’. It is produced
when fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood, propane and kerosene don’t get
enough air to burn up completely. CO itself is odourless and tasteless but
it may be accompanied by an abnormal odour of incomplete fuel combustion. Damaged or blocked venting as well as
inadequate air for combustion can allow carbon monoxide to build up inside a home.
Always make sure your fuel burning appliances have an adequate air supply
to prevent a CO hazard. Make maintenance of your furnace and venting
systems by a qualified contractor an absolute priority. Exposure to CO can
cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness,
burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of
consciousness. In severe cases, it can cause brain damage and
death. Older persons, housebound people, children, people with heart or respiratory
conditions and pets may be more sensitive to it, and feel the
effects earlier than others.
What causes a CO hazard?
•Fuel-burning appliances, venting systems and chimneys that
haven’t been serviced or regularly maintained by a qualified
heating contractor.
•A chimney blocked by a bird or squirrel nest, snow and ice or
other debris.
•Improper venting of a furnace and cracked furnace heat
exchangers.
•Exhaust fumes seeping into your home from a car running in an
attached garage.
•Using fuel-burning appliances designed for the outdoors (like
BBQs, lanterns, chainsaws, lawnmowers, snowblowers) in a closed
area (like a tent, recreational vehicle, cottage, garage,
workshop).
•Combustion gases spilling into a home, rather than being
exhausted if too much air is being
consumed by a fireplace, or exhausted by a kitchen or bathroom
fan, in a tightly-sealed house. Your furnace or gas water heater
will not exhaust properly if there is negative pressure in the
home.
CO alarms can warn you about sudden failure of fuel-burning
appliances and are a good second line of defence against CO exposure. At
least one (1) CO alarm should be installed at knee-height, adjacent to the
sleeping area of your home. You will need more than one alarm, if sleeping
areas exist on more than one floor. Unlike smoke, which rises to the
ceiling, CO mixes with air. If a combination smoke/carbon monoxide
detector is used, it should be located on the ceiling to ensure that it
will detect smoke effectively. CO alarms should not be installed near fuel
burning appliances.
The Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) reminds home owners that it is your
responsiblity to properly maintain your boiler or furnace. Annual
maintenance, as a minimum, by a qualified contractor is the best method to
fulfill this requirement.
When we service your furnace or boiler, we will check the
ambient CO level in the home. We will also check the CO produced by the
unit. We will make the necessary adjustments to the furnace or boiler. We
also check for improper or failed venting. Venting can fail due to cracks,
holes or blockages. Call us at
(519)451-8910 to schedule your annual furnace or boiler maintenance.
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