Technical Safety BC has conducted a comprehensive investigation into commonly used Carrier Gas furnaces, and found that a design flaw led to several dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) exposures in recent years.
Technical Safety BC carried out this investigation following multiple incidents in which eight people were hospitalized across BC due to carbon monoxide exposures caused by failures in a common product line of residential gas burning furnaces.
“Carbon monoxide exposure can be deadly, which is why we recommend owners of Carrier furnaces immediately install a CO detector and contact a licensed contractor to inspect their unit,” said Eric Lalli, Leader, Incident Investigation.
“These furnaces have the potential to release elevated levels of CO for some time before being detected, and British Columbians may not be aware of the potential hazard present in their homes.”
Although the manufacturer ceased production of these furnaces in 2011, many furnaces remain in operation throughout the province.
Contractors and homeowners should be aware of carbon monoxide risks—which can include serious illness, severe side effects, or death—and check their homes for Carrier Gas furnaces produced between 1989 and 2011 as they may require updates or repairs.
British Columbians who have them installed in their homes should seek the expertise of a licensed gas contractor to look for potential safety hazards, the agency says.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can be hazardous to health and potentially life threatening if not detected early.
Technical Safety BC determined that the Carrier Gas furnaces had a common design feature that contributed to the failures, specifically, polypropylene lined secondary heat exchangers.
This component was found to be susceptible to corrosion, which interfered with combustion airflow, which in some cases produced CO.
