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 Heating Inspection Safety Guide
- Safety tips for inspecting & repairing central heating systems
- Home inspection class: heating system inspection
- Course on home inspection safety during heating system examination and testing
- Questions & Answers about safety hazards on and around residential heating equipment
- References
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Here we explain safety procedures and tips that are important during heating system inspections.
This website answers most questions about central heating system troubleshooting, inspection, diagnosis, and repairs.
We describe how to inspect, troubleshoot and repair heating and air conditioning systems to inform home owners, buyers, and home inspectors of common heating system defects. The articles at this website describe the basic components of a home heating system,
how to find the rated heating capacity of an heating system by examining various data tags and components, how to recognize common heating system operating or safety defects, and how to save money on home heating costs.
We continue to add to and update this text as new details are provided. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Heating Inspection Safety Guide
This section describes examples of steps to protect the home or heating system inspector during the inspection of a heating system.
It does not address safety concerns for the client/occupant or unsafe conditions on the heating equipment itself, though those
are addressed in other articles at this website. ASHI 9.3.A. The inspector is not required to operate equipment
when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage [or in the opinion of the inspector, may cause any sort
of unsafe condition (added by DJF, NOT ASHI Standards)
In order to be as thorough, accurate, and safe as possible, a heating system inspector should use a well-defined order of discovery
which assures that s/he examines all important heating system components. Several possible heating system inspection "road maps" can be used
for this purpose and are described at this website.
- Air Filter Shock Hazards: Avoid electric shock from the static charge at electronic air filters. - Home inspection standard example: ASHI 9.3.D.4 The inspector is not required to observe electronic air filter
- Backpressure or Flashback: Watch for flashback or backpressure at inspection ports on heating equipment
- Blocked heating flues: a blocked flue can cause the production of potentially fatal carbon monoxide gases in a building. A blocked flue case study is reported at UNLINED FLUE INSPECTIONS.
- BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES - the Blueray history and blue flame vs. yellow flame combustion, flame color & combustion efficiency, & how oil competes with gas as a heating fuel.
- Blueray Heating Boilers/Furnaces Safety Recall by the US CPSC, with additional history, photos, and technical details; Blue Flame Blue Ray
- Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity
- Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, building inspection for CO hazards
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Warning - Chimney Safety: US CPSC safety warning [Home Heating System Should Be Checked for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - clarifying notes by DJF]
- Chimneys & Flues - Asbestos Transite Pipe - chimney movement, chimney cracks, chimney safety inspection, chimney cleaning, draft problem diagnosis & repair
- Chimney Inspection Checklist - detailed articles on a wide variety of chimney safety and functional defects
- CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS - corrosion risks to HVAC condensing and cooling or heating coils, possible corrosion risks to HVAC metal ductwork from corrosive gases produced by Chinese drywall.
- Combustion air: make certain that all fuel burning equipment has adequate combustion air. See COMBUSTION AIR for additional details about the requirement for combustion air. COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings explains how to provide outside combustion air for tight buildings. See COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS for an explanation of the dangers of inadequate combustion air. See COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ for the relationship between fuel burning appliances and building indoor air quality. More about carbon monoxide - CO - is at CARBON MONOXIDE - CO and at CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING.
- Confirm Heat Operation Before Leaving: To avoid a future dispute about having been the cause of lost heat in a building, particularly in cold weather, if the system was on and running, observe and note that it was running normally at the end of the inspection procedure. This is important if your inspection procedure includes any action that may temporarily shut off the system such as testing a shutoff switch.
- Corrosion on Heating Systems Do not pick at corrosion on heating systems - you may cause a catastrophic leak that requires immediate system shut-down - which in freezing weather risks freeze-damage to the building.
- STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS, how to diagnose stains on walls, floors, carpets, and how to determine the stain source
- Disassembling flue vent connections: Do not disassemble flue vent piping - risks of filth, unable to reassemble, etc.
Home inspection standard example: ASHI 9.3.D.1 The inspector is not required to observe the interior of flues [However often you can detect a blocked flue by looking through the barometric damper or by use of a mirror at the chimney cleanout. We recommend this step. -DJF]
Home inspection standard example: ASHI 9.3.D.2 The inspector is not required to observe fireplace insert flue connections [Normally not visible. Caution: there is frequently a hidden problem there.]
- DUCT SYSTEMS - air leaks, unsafe ductwork, inadequate supply or return air, other defects
- DUCT & AIR HANDLER ODORS - how to find and cure smelly duct work or air handlers
- Ducts - Asbestos Transite Pipe
- DUST, HVAC CONTAMINATION STUDY An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
- FAN LIMIT SWITCH control on heating furnaces
- NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE includes a discussion of noises related to heating equipment
- OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS and also OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS explain how to diagnose oil burner noises, smoke, odors, sooting, and which conditions are potentially dangerous, requiring prompt service or repair
- Odors From Heating Systems - a list of articles addressing the sources of odors produced by various types of heating systems - how to find, diagnose, and correct these possibly dangerous conditions.
- Safety Recalls, Chimneys, Vents, Heaters
BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
BLUERAY Recall
CHIMNEYS & Flues - Asbestos Transite
Goodman HTPV RECALL
Heat Recovery Ventilator RECALL
Lennox Furnace Manuals
Lennox SAFETY WARNING
PLASTIC Plexvent / Ultravent RECALL US Consumer Product Safety Commission notices, contact information, claims
Weil McLain RECALL
- SOOT on OIL FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT discusses sooty on or inside oil fired heating equipment and its effect on heating costs and heater operating problems. Also see OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS.
- STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS, how to diagnose stains on walls, floors, carpets, and how to determine the stain source
- When to Shut Down Heating Systems: Turn off heating equipment immediately if you see conditions that appear to be unsafe, such as evidence of fire, smoke, puffback, or if you see safety controls such as relief valves, temperature limits, or flue gas spillage sensors which have been removed or modified, or if the equipment has already been "red-tagged" by a service technician.
- When to Avoid Turning On Heating Systems: Do not turn on heating equipment if you see any condition that appears to be unsafe. Some examples are listed here.
- Do not turn on equipment which has been "shut down" - Possible open piping, unsafe wiring, leaks, unsafe chimney, fire risks.
- Do not turn on equipment which has been switched off without explicit permission/instruction from a responsible party
- Examine gauges (not entirely reliable) for unusual pressure or temperature conditions and do not permit such equipment to continue to operate
- Do not turn on, or turn off if already operating, any heating system whose temperature/pressure gauge shows abnormally high operating values
- Do not operate equipment which does not appear to be vented properly; shut down equipment if, on operating it, you observe an apparently blocked flue
- Do not operate equipment if the chimney is suspect--e.g. old single wythe unlined brick with visible damage in the attic or outside
- Do not turn on, or turn off if already operating, any heating system that is not safely connected to a chimney
- Humidifier Inspections: Be careful about disconnecting humidifiers to obtain access to furnace plenums: you may cut yourself on sheet metal, cause leaks in humidifier piping, cause spills.
ASHI 9.3.D.3 The inspector is not required to observe humidifiers
- But watch for humidifiers which leaked into and damaged duct work or onto and damaged a heat exchangers
- Lighting test fires: Do not light fires in coal or wood stoves to check draft, etc
Home inspection standard example: ASHI 9.3.C. The inspector is not required to ignite or extinguish solid fuel fires
- Noises, smoke, soot, back pressure at inspection port (watch out for burns and fires if this port is opened), sloppy startup, rumbling, sloppy or delayed shutdown-flame lingers COULD indicate a very dangerous operating condition.
- Relief Valve Testing on Heating Systems: Do not test relief valve levers nor catch your sleeve on one
Home inspection standard example: ASHI 9.3.B. The inspector is not required to operate automatic safety controls
- Shock Hazards at Heating Controls: Watch for electric shock at controls
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
- DUST, HVAC CONTAMINATION STUDY An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
- Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
- Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
- Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
- Inspection Procedures for Oil-Fired Heating Systems Detailed step by step approaches for inspecting complex systems]
- Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
- Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
- Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
- Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notices
- Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler/gas valve CPSC recall/repair
- Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
- National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
- The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
- Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
- The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
- Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
- "Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- "Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- "Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
- Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
- Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
- Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
- Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
- The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
- Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
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