FURNACE SAFETY AND FIRE PREVENTION
As winter approaches, most of us think nothing of turning up the heat inside our homes. Gas-powered furnaces are widely used in the Mid-West. They work by combusting fuel to create heat. However, when not used or maintained properly, furnaces can actually create a host of extremely dangerous and even fatal situations to the structure and its’ inhabitants. It is imperative that property owners educate themselves on the importance of furnace maintenance. Education can limit the risk of potential hazards significantly. Below are a few causes and consequences of furnace hazards, also prevention tips to help possibly avoid an accident.
A large portion of accidents involving gas furnaces are simply caused by faulty or malfunctioning parts. Gas furnaces that have not been correctly rated for the building that they are placed in could produce far too much carbon monoxide for the building size. Another cause is insufficient combustion air around the furnace. In general, failing to follow the instructions provided by the furnace manufacturer can also cause accidents.
A structure fire is often the most likely outcome of using a faulty or unmaintained furnace. Unmaintained equipment is susceptible to leaks, when too much natural gas is leaked into the air, it quickly builds up. Since natural gas is a very volatile substance, it can easily explode and cause a fire in the structure. Even if an explosion does not occur, the excess gas in the air can cause people to become sick. A release of too much carbon monoxide into the air can cause people to quickly become depleted of oxygen. They may display symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, convulsions, breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, and even death.
Proper maintenance is a crucial part of safe furnace operation. Before starting up the furnace when the cold months arrive, property owners should make it a point to have a professional inspection performed. Having certified inspectors check the furnace before each winter can reduce the risk of dangerous situations by identifying potential threats. Install carbon monoxide detectors in each room as well as next to the furnace to alert the occupants of gas leaks, if a leak becomes present. The detectors should be checked regularly to ensure that the units are operational and the batteries are charged. Always make sure protective covers are in place and it may be a good idea to create a combustible free zone 3ft. from the furnace with masking tape.
Maintenance and certified inspections of your furnace along with Fire and CO Detectors will all help to keep your family and property safe. Do your part to reduce the risk.
FIRE & SMOKE RESTORATION
In the unfortunate event that you
experience fire damage in your home or
business, your first call should be to The
Restoration Company. Within minutes a
fire can be devastating, leaving your
property and valuable belongings and
equipment in ruins. When this disaster
strikes, our team is there to assess the
damage and compassionately guide you
through the restoration and recovery
process.
Fire damage can lead to an unsafe
environment for you and your loved ones.
We are here to take the uncertainty out of
the situation and get your life back on
track. There are a number of services we
perform when assessing and restoring a
fire/smoke damaged property.
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, TRC restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to pre-loss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
TRC certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources and assist in solving the problem.
Call our emergency line at 847-625-6911 or local line at: 224-637-3130. Or visit our website: www.trcil.com
We can help.
TRCIL.COM
The Restoration Company Inc
Safety tip for this weekend of stormy weather⚡️⛈
Interesting fact, Water Damage ranks as the #1 homeowners loss, get protected and prepared with the Insurance Life Institute
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