Gas Water Heater Safety: Most Important Things To Remember

Despite their dependable natures, gas water heaters can turn nasty. Please, don’t misunderstand our intentions. Treated properly, this quick and quiet gas appliance safely heats piped water. That being said, gas is a potentially hazardous fuel. For this reason, gas devices require special design features, plus a measure of intelligent oversight. Duly vented, a healthy gas flame burns while the tanked water bubbles. What if the vents are obstructed?

Combustion Safety 

Do ventilate the area around the gas water heater. That air needs to be safe, not loaded with chemicals. Consequently, there shouldn’t be any aerosol cans or chemical cleaners stored anywhere near the ventilation channel. Give that gas-fueled mechanism plenty of room. By the way, location planning plays a major role here, especially when the appliance is installed in a workspace. If the water heater is situated in a garage, mount it high so that the pilot light burns well above any low-floating fumes.

Breathing Safeguards 

As the gas burns, next-to-no carbon monoxide is produced. The appliance burner really does a good job at consuming its fuel. The system vents also take care of trace CO exhaust. What if those vents are obstructed? What if the burner is ailing and it’s generating dangerous quantities of carbon monoxide? This is an invisible gas. Make no mistake, it can kill. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in occupied areas so that this odourless gas never endangers anyone’s health. Maintain all detectors and the burner assembly.

Pondering A Few Worthy Mentions 

It’s nice, the thought that a gas water heating system is being inspected by a knowledgeable heating technician. The CO detectors are tested. A quick test sets off the alarm, then the tech replaces a few batteries. The residence or office space is protected. Still, not every hazard can be addressed in this way. If there’s a natural disaster, do turn off the gas line. Even better, purchase an appliance that incorporates a thermocouple. If the pilot light goes out, that safety device will immediately actualize the emergency shut-off valve and make the gas assembly safe.

At the end of the day, the equipment must safely regulate the combustion cycle. This means we need to be able to initiate an instant fuel shutdown action. Next, the atmosphere created by the gas must be monitored. Vents are a good start here, but these safety openings can become obstructed. Carbon monoxide detectors are an essential part of a gas water heater safety plan, for they protect occupants from this odourless, invisible gas.

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