Super Safety and your heating system
(PDF Version)
A qualified contractor
 A
heating system installed according to the different codes in force
and well maintained by a qualified contractor is your best guarantee
of comfort, savings and, above all, safety.
No matter what fuel you use — natural gas, propane, fuel
oil, wood, pellets or anthracite —, let a specialized contractor
holding the appropriate licence from the Régie du bâtiment
du Québec see to the installation and maintenance of your
heating system. You should also know that a master electrician who
is a member of the Corporation des maîtres électriciens
du Québec (CMEQ) must see to the electrical connection of
heating units.
Approved products only
All gas-powered heating equipment that is sold in Québec must bear the seal
of approval of one of the following organizations:
- CSA International (CSA)
- Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC)
- Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd. (WH, cETL)
- Underwriters Laboratories Incorporated (UL)
- OMNI-Test Laboratories, Inc. (cO-TL)
This seal of approval guarantees that the unit has undergone rigorous
tests according to the standards recognized in Canada to ensure
safe and efficient operation.
To identify these seals or to contact one of the certifying organizations,
click on this link: Certifying
Organization Seals and Coordinates.
Annual inspection
Despite beliefs to the contrary, all heating systems — including
those using natural gas and propane — require regular maintenance.
If not, beware of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is an odourless
gas that can be fatal!
For your safety and that of your family, have your heating system
inspected by a qualified contractor. It should be inspected every
year, preferably before the heating season starts. And most importantly,
never play the role of heating specialist yourself !
 Air
intake
In order for your heating system to function perfectly, a good
fresh air intake and a complete evacuation of combustion gases are
necessary. The contractor must ensure that there is an adequate
intake of air through the permanent openings and that these openings
are the size required by your installation. The combustion will
thus be complete which will also reduce deposits on the main elements
of your heating unit and keep heating costs to a minimum.
Caution when renovating: Certain interior renovations to
your home, like finishing the basement, replacing windows and better
insulating your house, may change the intake of fresh air and therefore prevent
complete combustion. In addition to increasing your heating costs, this kind of situation poses a danger to you and your loved ones. Talk this over with your contractor.
Mechanical ventilation
Homes have mechanical ventilation systems installed mainly in the
bathroom (fan) and kitchen (hood). Recent building standards require
better sealing of the home's envelope. Ask your contractor to see
that the mechanical ventilation system does not impair the proper
operation of your heating unit or the evacuation of combustion gases.
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.
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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.
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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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Information
You can obtain additional information about
the installation or maintenance of your equipment from contractors or organizations that specialize in this area.
Natural gas
Propane
Fuel oil
Wood, pellets or anthracite
Electrical installation of your unit
To check whether your heating contractor has the appropriate
licence, contact the regional
office of the Régie du bâtiment du Québec
or consult the License Holder Register. |
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