by John Traveler

Created on: October 26, 2009

The gas furnace is one of the most important appliances in our homes; it is also one of the most dangerous. It's not that gas furnaces are inherently hazardous, but simply that we humans take them for granted and fail to do the little things that will keep our family safe. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that will increase the margin of safety with respect to the gas furnace in your home.

1) 30 INCH CLEAR-SPACE

Your gas furnace heats air with a burner which can be a source of ignition for combustibles in close proximity to it. Since the furnace is usually installed in the garage or basement, it's easy to allow things to get piled up next to it, but also a recipe for disaster. Keeping a 30 inch clear space around your furnace can provide the needed margin of safety in this case.

2) GAS LEAKS

When it comes to gas leaks, gas furnaces are designed to meet high safety standards. The furnace [particularly newer models] incorporates safety devices to automatically turn off the gas when any malfunction occurs. In fact, the probability that you will ever have a leak in your gas furnace is lower than your chances of winning the lottery, but it does happen. You will almost immediately detect a gas leak in your furnace system because a chemical which produces a pungent odder is added to propane and natural gas specifically for this purpose. It you do detect a gas leak, get out of the building, call 911 and find the main gas shut off valve and turn it off. In places that experience earthquakes, knowing where your main gas valve is an how to turn it off is a must, and having a wrench right there to accomplish the task is equally important.

3) PREVENT ASPHYXIATION

Believe it or not, asphyxiation is the most serious condition which can arise with a gas furnace and the leading cause of deaths associated with them. The byproducts of combustion in a gas furnace are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides and water vapor. The water vapor won't hurt you, but everything else is lethal when breathed in sufficient concentrations. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous, because it only takes a small amount to cause unconsciousness.

Normally, the combustion air in your gas furnace is drawn in from outside and expelled back out through the exhaust flue. But, should a crack develop in the heat exchanger unit of your furnace, noxious exhaust gases can be introduced into the heated living space. By the time these gases are concentrated enough for your nose to detect, it's probably

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