Part 2 - Super Safety and your heating system

Evacuation of combustion products

Nothing in the heat exchanger of your heating unit, the smoke flue or the chimney should prevent the complete evacuation of combustion products. These components should be inspected and cleaned when needed, depending on the type of fuel used. In addition, since some units fitted with a fin tube exchanger are more sensitive to clogging, it is important to have them cleaned regularly. Note as well that chimney sweeping is crucial for solid fuels, and that care must be taken when cleaning the liner of a smoke flue so as not to damage it.

Carbone monoxide (CO) detector

It is recommended that at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector be installed in the home so that the occupants are warned of the presence of this toxic gas, which can come from, among other things, the heating system, the fireplace, the workshop or even the garage. However, this additional safety precaution must in no case replace the annual inspection of your heating units by a qualified contractor.

If the CO detector goes off repeatedly, do not unplug it. Call upon a specialized contractor to find out the cause of the problem and solve it.

Here are the main symptoms of intoxication:

Low exposure: frontal headache, nausea, fatigue.

Moderate exposure: persistent pounding frontal headache, nausea, light-headedness or dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, racing pulse, loss of reflexes and loss of judgment.

Acute exposure: weakness, fainting, convulsions, coma, death.

If you experience these symptoms:

• Evacuate all the occupants of the house immediately;
• Leave the doors open in order to fully ventilate the house;
• Contact the fire department in your locality or call 9-1-1;
• If possible, turn off the heat before leaving the house;
• Do not go back in the house before an expert (for example, qualified personnel from the fire protection service or your gas distributor) tells you to;

Before using the heating system again, have it inspected by a qualified contractor.

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