With the announcement that the EPA Administrator has signed off on the HCFC Allocation and Pre-charged appliance rules (see the blog from HARDI Vice President/Legislative guru Talbot Gee here, or visit the EPA Web site here to see the published rules), I thought I might weigh in on that topic as well.
But a story I saw on the news last evening was one that I couldn't shake from my head. In Charlotte, NC, 10 people from an apartment complex were hospitalized as a result of carbon monoxide poisioning. According to Charlotte Fire Department spokesman Rob Brisley, there were dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in multiple apartment units. The CO came from a faulty heater in one of the units and eventually spread to three other apartments.
We often hear during the winter about these stories, many times as a result of individuals following dangerous practices to heat their dwellings with unsafe heating devices, either due to difficult economic conditions or their lack of knowledge regarding the emission of CO.
However, in this case, it seems apparent that the problem arose because the equipment in the complex had a defect(s) - highlighting EXACTLY why it is so important for building owners and HVACR service professionals to use caution, regularly inspect equipment, and repair or replace equipment when the situation deems it necessary.
According to the Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, carbon monoxide posioning kills hundreds each year, and tens of thousands more are hospitalized as a result of its effects. A simple thing such as performing a combustion check, using a CO detection meter or performing a closer inspection of a heat exchanger can truly be the difference between life and death. As an industry, let's continue to promote awareness and take the extra steps necessary that could save the life of a friend, colleague, family member - or even yourself.
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