• Sunday, October 31, 2010

    If You're In Bridgeville, PA, What Is The Likeliness Of Carbon Monoxide Exhaust In Your Environment?

    By Brian Freeman

    A safety advisory has been released by the national government recommending that central heating systems in each home should be checked by this season's fall. Everyone is enjoined to cooperate with the said advisory in the interest of public safety.

    The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) urges households to comply with an annual inspection of their central heating systems through the services of a qualified heating contractor. All critical heating components like the boiler/furnace, thermostat control system, safety valves and automatic switches, along with the other electric/mechanical components are to be inspected for proper maintenance. Regular reviews of the entire heating system would be crucial in preventing life-threatening fires and explosions due to potential fuel leaks or overheating concerns.

    It would be of great benefit to the said homeowner if the flue and chimney were inspected for possible problems. This would ensure that proper care and maintenance of the existing central heating system is properly attended to. Debris clogging the passageway should be cleared in order to prevent the leakage of harmful exhaust gases into the home.

    Leakage of potentially harmful gases into the home due to air passageways clogged by debris raises a valid safety concern. The system should be cleared of any loosened mortar, dirt, or nests. One thing to watch out for is to make sure that the ventilation system allows for the safe release of carbon monoxide outside the home. Seals and fittings on the chimney and flue should be properly checked for any perforations or holes. Rusted or corroded passages could very well result in the entry of harmful gases inside the house.

    Carbon monoxide, or CO, has a reputation for being a silent killer. It can run undetected at dangerous levels inside the home due to the fact that it is both odorless and colorless. It is of utmost importance that every measure is taken to avoid having such a dangerous gas from seeping into the house. What's worse is that the house inhabitants may not even know that it's already present inside.

    Residents would be well-advised to be aware of the presence of carbon monoxide fumes in the home. One thing to take note of is that CO can cause flu-like symptoms ranging from dizziness, nausea, painful headaches, being out of breath, etc. It is an understatement to say that being exposed too long to carbon monoxide fumes is very dangerous. CPSC data records the fact that there have already been approximately 60 deaths caused by CO poisoning alone. The most common cause was due to problems with the heating system.

    It is extremely important that flue and chimney passageways are checked and inspected, especially during instances of central heating system conversion. Chimneys tend to collect significant amounts of soot and debris over time leading to a potential buildup of harmful gases. A clean sweep of the chimney passage would be a wise choice as long as all potential causes of blockage are removed completely. In addition, the CPSC also recommends that chimney inspections and/or reviews be performed on a yearly basis as part of the maintenance process. This is even more important when homes decide to change the current heating system to a gas fueled one.

    The CPSC also suggests that reviews and/or inspections of the chimney and flue system be performed on an annual basis as per basic maintenance. Households planning to convert to a gas-fired heating system would do well to have the heating system checked upon installation or conversion.

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