14 - Friday, February 23, 1990 - North Shore News

ASK QUESTIONS WHEN BUYING NEW SYSTEM

Knowledge key to heating safety

THE AVERAGE Canadian
doesn’t have to travel far to en-
counter potential hazards like
high-voltage electricity, toxic
gases, searing heat and flames.
They can be found in the heating
systems and equipment of almost
any home.

That’s why the people who
manufacture and install heating
devices in Canada follow strict
safety standards.

If you are considering installing
a new heating system, or are mov-
ing into a house with an existing
one, look for a certification mark.

The Standards Council of
Canada has accredited four
organizations to certify heating
equipment: the Canadian Gas
Association (CGA), the Canadian
Standards Association (CSA), Un-
derwriters’ Laboratories of
Canada (ULC) and Warnock
Hersey Professional Services
(WHPS).

The stamp of one of these
organizations on a heating appli-
ance means it meets the perfor-
mance or safety requirements of
one or more standards.

But certification isn’t a
substitute for knowledge. Ask
plenty of questions when shopping
for a heating system and during its
installation.

Your dealer, hydro company,
gas company and fire department
may have helpful brochures.
Departments of the federal and
provincial governments concerned
with energy, housing and con-
sumer issues may also be able to
send you information on the
various types of heating systems
available and how to care for
them. Here are a few tips:

Chimneys: Since chimneys con-
duct hot, toxic gases away from
your home, they are a critical
component in heating safety. Fac-
tory-built chimneys should be cer-

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tified and labelled by ULC or
WHPS.

While different systems put dif-
ferent demands on chimneys,
common problems include con-
densation damage and obstruc-
tions. Both of these hazards can be
battled by installing a cap and
screen on top of the chimney to
keep debris, birds and moisture
out.

Creosote, a flammable substance
that coats the inside of the
chimney, is of particular concern
when heating with wood. The
greatest accumulation is usually at
the upper end of the chimney, and
should not be allowed to exceed
three millimetres.

Finally, make sure your chimney
is appropriate for the type of fuel
being burned. When a_ heating
system is changed, the chimney
may also have to be modified to
cope with the amount of heat and
moisture being expelled.

Wood Heating: Wood-heating
appliances are certified by the
CGA, CSA, ULC and WHPS.
Make sure the dealer helps you
choose one that is the right size for
your house.

If it is too large, you may get a
lot of creosote build-up. Similarly,
it is important that only well dried
wood be burned. The humidity in
wet wood will cause cooler burning
and a rapid accumulation of
creosote in the chimney.

It is critical that wood-burning
equipment be installed a_ safe
distance from furniture and walls.
Check the certification label or
owner’s manual for exact distances
and stick to them. Even a little ex-
cess heat fram a wood stove will
cause the wood in a wall or floor
to dry out and become gradually
more flammable, with potentially
disastrous results.

The entire system, including flue
pipe and chimney, should be in-

spected yearly.

Oil and Gas Furnaces: Oil and
gas furnace equipment is certified
by the CGA, ULC and CSA. [ft is
important to call a professional
once a year for maintenance
because malfunctioning furnaces
may cause toxic gases to escape in-
to the house rather than up the
chimney.

Some things you may be able to
do yourself. Keep the furnace area
well ventilated and free from dust
and litter. Check your owner’s
manual for instructions regarding
motor lubrication and fan belt in-

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spection. But remember, turn off
the furnace power switch before
removing furnace panels.

rectric Heat: Electric heating
systems are certified by the CSA
and CGA. If you are using
baseboard heaters, hydro officials
say curtains should be at least eight
inches from the top, or three in-
ches in front of the heater. If they
hang in front of the heater, there
should also be a one-inch gap be-

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tween the curtain and the floor.

For more complete information
about home heating safety, talk to
your dealer or contact one of the
agencies listed in this article.

If you are interested in learning
about standards, write to the
Standards Council of Canada, 350
Sparks Street, Suite 1200, Ottawa,
K1P 6N7. You'll receive a copy of
the publication, Standards and
Certification: What's in it for me.

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