Comments on: Combustion Safety Rule #1: Remove Exhaust Gases from House

By: Ira Eisenstein

Ira Eisenstein — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:19:42 +0000

Maybe slightly off of this
Maybe slightly off of this specific topic, but related to combustion safety, nonetheless......

I am a BPI certified Building Analyst / Envelope Professional (can't say energy auditor any more because that's now a separate certification), and I do energy audits.
I use a Bacharach Fyrite Model 60 Combustion Analyzer to evaluate CO, O2, Combustion Efficiency, etc.
Well, my trusty Combustion Analyzer now wants to have its O2 sensor changed.
Has anyone done that themselves, and if so, where in the NYC / NJ metropolitan area (Philadelphia area too) can you get an O2 sensor, and probably also a CO sensor for this analyzer?
Also, once I change these sensors, do I then have to calibrate the instrument, or are "new" sensors already calibrated?
Any advice / help on this would be much appreciated!!

Ira Eisenstein
732-497-2674
iraeise@me.com

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:44:43 +0000

Sean:
Sean: Thanks. Luke's going to be a great rater and he's working for a great company.

David: Good point about the draft hood. Most people think it's OK because the flue gases go straight up into it. That's true except when it's not, which is more often than most people think. And then there's the problem of common venting with furnaces, which overrides the safety feature that cuts off furnaces when they're not drafting properly. I discussed this in an article on atmospheric combustion a couple of months ago.

By: David Richardson

David Richardson — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:33:49 +0000

Great article Allison!&
Great article Allison!

One common disconnect in the venting system that seems to get taken for granted is the draft hood on top of any natural draft appliance.

This is the exact same principle that you are referring to in this article in regards to disconnects in the venting system.

When most energy professionals find a hole in a venting system like the one you've posted in this picture it gets repaired ASAP.

A draft hood which is the exact same type of hole is never taught to be repaired, instead it is taught to be smoke tested for one minute under worst case depressurization conditions.

Makes you wonder why we classify and address holes in a venting system differently depending on their location.

By: Sean @ SLS

Sean @ SLS — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:29:50 +0000

Great article Allison &
Great article Allison & congrats to Luke for becoming a HERS Rater.