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Smoke Detector For Inside Furnace
Question
Used our new (2 yr old) Tioga 22E for the first time last w/e. We
found out the coach batterey doesn’t hold much of a charge. Around 3
a.m. the smoke alarm went off, I woke up, it was cold, the furnace fan
was barely blowing. And something smelled smoky.
Answers
You didn’t tell us what brand of furnace so we have to guess. I’m
going to guess it is quite similar to the one in my
Itasca/Winnebago. The smokey smell was your furnace burning with
too little air because the draft fan was undervoltaged. Smoke
likely backed up and leaked into the compartment (not supposed to)
and tripped your smoke detector. Looking at the schematic in the
manual, I see that it is a very simple spark direct ignition furnace
with a sail switch to prove draft before ignition. No apparent
provision for undervoltage trip. As the draft fan undersped from
low voltage, the sail switch should have tripped the furnace off.
Looks like you have two things you need to check out. First, find
out where the fumes leaked into the cabin. Second, find out if your
furnace has a draft switch and if so, why it didn’t work. If it
does not have a draft switch, I’d be figuring out some sort of
undervoltage shutdown for the furnace, for operating without
sufficient draft is dangerous. You might also look at where the
furnace exhaust is relative to windows and other sources of inside
air. Mine is right above a window. I know not to open that window
if the furnace is to be used.
Associated Smoke Detector For Inside Furnace Question: oil furnace odor & black soot?
I bought my 1950’s cape cod in CT in Sept 2008. The forced hot air furance was inspected and cleaned, and passed without comment. I have a 200+ oil tank that I fill about two times per year. I planned to have the furnace cleaned in the spring of 2010. However, I have not had anything done to it between 2008 and now (Feb 2010). But for I coudl have it cleaned/oil filter changed, the smoke stack has noticeable black smoke and small flakes of soot land on the roof. After only 2 days of this the inside started to smell of fumes (My carbon detector did NOT go off) but the smell is too strong for my family. I plan to have a furnaces/ HVAC tech clean/inspect ASAP. What should I ask them to do? maintenance
- Answer:Ask them to check the furnace for proper combustion and ventilation. Make sure you have a source of combustion air (AKA make up air) to the furnace.
Associated Smoke Detector For Inside Furnace Question:Question about landlords coming into my apartment twice a year for inspections. Is this legal? ?
Are they just using this as an excuse to snoop around or spy on my while i’m gone at work? I get a note every six months from my landlord at the large apartment complex i live in. It says that they will be changing the furnace filter and doing various inspections, INSIDE my apartment. They say that it’s mandatory and there are no exceptions. They don’t cite any laws, they just seem to have made up these rules. Just because they own this building doesn’t mean they can barge in here twice a year whether i’m home or not, can they? I can change the friggin filter myself. I can test a smoke detector myself. I’m tired of people violating my rights and privacy just because they think we are too stupid to do things ourselves.
- Answer:What’s your lease say? You say the landlord “just seem to have made up these rules.” What you’re describing is very typical, and should be in your lease. As for legal: Yes. It’s legal. Yes, just because they own the building, they can barge in twice a year. In fact, your lease probably provides that they can enter your apartment upon reasonable (often 24 hours) notice, and can enter without your permission in the event of an emergency. Maybe you can change the filter yourself. Maybe you can test a smoke detector yourself. Other people can’t. Or won’t. And if your neighbor’s smoke detector isn’t working because the battery’s dead and a fire breaks out, you could be injured or killed. They’re not violating your rights and privacy. Again, read your lease. You’ve given them explicit permission to do as they’re doing. If you really don’t like it, buy a home of your own.
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