InterNACHI almost lost a member yesterday

Specific Inspection Topics Inspecting HVAC Systems
21

Jeff the TIFF8800 is not rated as a Carbon monoxide tester period, I’d recommend a rated personal protection device That can be worn on the belt>

I had a very similar experience to Allens’ 10 years ago and bought a belt clipped alarm straight after

Regards

Gerry

22

[FONT=Arial]I am glad that you are okay![/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]I am testifying as an Expert Witness in an upcoming trial. I did an inspection “After the fact”. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]A man in his late 50’s and his teen aged son both died of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]They were dead a week to 10-days before they were found. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]At my inspection, there were 17- lawyers from five different law firms.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]They represented; [/FONT][/size][/FONT]

  1. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]The family of the deceased. [/FONT][/size]
    [/FONT] 1. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]The property owners.[/FONT][/size]
    [/FONT] 1. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]The fuel oil supplier. [/FONT][/size]
    [/FONT] 1. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]The Oil Furnace manufacturer.[/FONT][/size]
    [/FONT] 1. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial][size=3]The manufacturer of the replaced Oil Furnace motor. [/FONT][/size]
    [/FONT]
    [FONT=Arial]Since we are going to trial so I cannot get into the details but…. I will say that you should make sure that all visible ductwork / flues/ exhaust vents are connected and vented properly before you start ANY gas / oil / propane “appliances”. [/FONT]
    [FONT=Arial]{Check for “gaps” separations at the joints.}
    [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]PS:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Many of us ask the buyer or their Real Estate agent to make sure that all utilities are on and that the heat {in the winter} or the AC {In the summer} is “On” so that we can inspect it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]I did an inspection on a “Bank Owned, sold As Is property”. I asked that all of the utilities be turned on. Since the property is being sold “As Is”…. The Real Estate Agent who represents the bank had an absolute fit! [/FONT]

To make a long story short;

  1. The water was gushing down the walls.
  2. The oil furnace was venting directly into the
    basement.
  3. The basement was filled with smoke! :shock:
  4. [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Arial]My client walked away from this “Jewel”.[/FONT][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Once again…. I am glad that you are okay![/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Keep up the Good Work!:stuck_out_tongue: [/FONT]

23

Thanks for the reminder to be vigilant about safety, glad you made it out.

24

Gerry,

Do you replace yours every two years, or does it actually work longer? Shorter?

Jeff

25

Jeff, I don’t have the need to use mine these days as since I moved to Florida I never see oil or gas boilers and furnaces like I used to in New England. The one I still have I have owned for 8 years and used it for 4 years without issue.

Regards

Gerry

26

Thanks for the info. Even though $200 is cheap for “health insurance”, It still seems like a waste of funds for a “disposable” tool every two years. Now four years, that’s acceptable.

27

Home Inspections RI Anthony Divello 401-782-5589
http://captsized.inspectorpages2.com

stop look listen smell proceed
safety first

glad you are still here

28

How are the personal CO detectors calibrated? Do they have cal gas and do scheduled bump test and calibrations. I am not familiar with the personal detectors. As a professional FF, I am responsible for the calibration of 96 gas monitors throughout my department. I see the CO detectors that are built into smoke detectos and stand alone CO detectors malfunction all the time and do not trust them. I’m curious about the pager style CO detector. Thanks for the info.

29

Some roofers can be very careless. I knew of a case where the roofer jambed the cap onto the flue vent pipe and blocked nearly all of the air flow. This went on for months until the condensate ruined the furnace. The homeowner got a new furnace and HW tank out of the deal.

30

I did a 1 year warranty inspection a few weeks back, the 75 gal. gas water heater was never piped to the outdoors! Nothing was installed but the water heater!

Client lived in the house for almost a year with it pumping straight into the basement.
They had three kids under five years old.

Everyone went to the Doctor to have blood tests.
All had O2 problems.

But we don’t need to inspect new construction, there is a builders warranty to cover that…

31

I just did one a week or so ago. There were two 54 yr old gas wall furnaces in terrible condition. Found this in the attic. The other flue was completely disconnected and pumping CO into the attic which had a roof with only gable ventilation. The sellers would not correct the issues I discovered so the buyer walked. Buyers were very happy they chose an inspector besides the one the agent was recommending. They said they were unaware any of this was present.

Oh yeah, the roof had been replaced in 2005 and most likely when these “modifications” were done. It had only been vacant about a year. Someone was very lucky they didn’t wake up dead. I found a lot of disconnected flues after Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis when the roofers would remove the stacks to replace shingles and never bothered to inform anyone or correct the problem.

32

Found the pic of the other flue.

33

Be safe.

34

Glad everyone is alright. Where would one purchase a personal carbon monoxide detector. I have the one that I use for checking furnaces and other gas fired items, cut I don’t want to carry that one around everywhere.

35