FURNACE HAZARD: WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Review the related articles and make yourself familiar with the issue. Then:

1. Determine if you have one of the furnaces identified in the NOTICE OF FIRE HAZARD attachment.
2. If you do, contact your local gas company and a licensed Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractor for an inspection your furnace.

Unfortunately, owners of these furnaces are "on their own" at this time in dealing with repairing or replacing these furnaces. Some gas service providers will only go so far as to identify your furnace as one of the "suspect" group. Some will "red tag" it as not to be operated. Most all gas service providers will advise you to call a licensed HVAC contractor.

When you call an HVAC contractor for an inspection, be sure to tell them you have a "Consolidated" furnace. Make yourself comfortable with your contractor’s knowledge of the issue. When they arrive to conduct the inspection, ask them to include:

1. A thorough inspection of your burner and heat exchanger.
2. A test for any possible carbon monoxide emissions.

If you choose to continue using a furnace that is identified as one of the suspect group, it is strongly advised that you:

1. Provide an air space beneath the unit.
2. Provide a non-combustible surface (dry wall, sheet rock, cement board) beneath the unit.
3. Install an ionization type smoke detector in the attic.
4. Continue to have the furnace professionally inspected each year.

We at the Torrance Fire Department hope you will find this information helpful, and invite you to call with any additional questions you may have on this or any other fire safety matter. You may call our Community Risk Reduction Division during regular business hours at (310) 618-2973.