While our fingers are still crossed for the arrival of cold weather, it is never too early to review furnace safety tips and best practices for your workplace. Your furnace may not be something you consider when you go into work everyday, but it deserves a slot in your to-do list this time of year.
Heating equipment is a leading cause of office fires. It is extremely important to be aware of your furnace’s operating state before, during and after its month of usage. Comfort Temp is here to highlight the most helpful tips to promote awareness about workplace furnace safety.
Be Aware of Warning Signs
Listening to the warning signs of a failing furnace will save you money and minimize the risk of a workplace fire or carbon monoxide leak. If your furnace is experiencing any of these symptoms, call a professional today:
- Gas smells
- Burning smells or other strange smells
- Thermostat not functioning properly
- Pilot light burning yellow
It is especially important to note that if you smell gas, turn off your furnace immediately, open windows if possible and leave the building promptly. A carbon monoxide leak is extremely dangerous to your health and can start fires. Call a professional at Comfort Temp or your natural gas provider right away to fix this issue.
Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
Having carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms is not helpful if they do not work! Now is the perfect time to check on their performance and battery life. You should have detectors on every level of your workplace and for extra precaution, you should have detectors in your furnace room. If you do not have carbon monoxide detectors, we strongly urge you to install them. Taking these easy steps to ensure safety can save lives.
Keep Flammable Items Away
This may seem obvious, but it is crucially important. If your furnace room has more than one purpose – perhaps for storage – ensure that there are no objects near your furnace. The recommended amount of space between your furnace and other items is 3 feet or more. We also advise you to store combustibles, such as gasoline, cleaning supplies and paint thinners in an entirely different room. Lastly, keep the furnace room clean by dusting regularly and sweeping.
Schedule Inspections
Stay up to date on yearly furnace inspections to minimize the risk of damage and furnace malfunction. Not only will this save you money and increase your furnace lifespan, but it will keep you and your employees safe! A yearly inspection will allow technicians to determine if your furnace is in working order so it can keep you warm all winter long. This is also a great time to change your furnace’s filter and give your furnace a good clean.
Safety is a Priority
At Comfort Temp, we want to ensure your furnace is in proper working order to keep your workplace as safe as possible. Now is the time to put the tips into practice as you get ready to start up the furnace again.
To schedule furnace maintenance, call Comfort Temp today or visit our website. Don’t forget about our 24/7 emergency service!
