ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612050026
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: what's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY COX
Q: I want to add heat to my basement, and my house is supplied with natural gas. I've seen heaters for sale that burn gas and are not vented to the outdoors. I wonder how much sense that makes, because these heaters have a flame. Does Roanoke County have an ordinance concerning unvented gas heaters in a basement? I'm worried about fumes building up.
R.C., Roanoke
A: Your concern makes sense.
Newer models of unvented heaters are safe - even in a basement - if the buyer is careful to get the right product, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Vent-free gas space heaters should be equipped with an oxygen-depletion sensor. Data gathered by the commission indicate there have been no deaths from carbon monoxide caused by gas heaters equipped with this sensor.
The device will shut off the heater if the oxygen level in a room drops from the normal 20.9 percent to below 19 percent.
Carbon monoxide is by far the greatest concern with flame heaters. Natural gas and propane burn cleanly in newer heaters as long as the oxygen level remains high, so fumes shouldn't be a problem.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that a door be left open to the rest of the house when a gas heater is used.
It also suggests that a Underwriters Laboratories-approved carbon monoxide detector, similar to a smoke alarm, be installed in homes that are heated by oil or gas - even when the furnace is vented.
The building code requires that gas heaters be UL-approved and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, said Joel Baker, a Roanoke County building commissioner.
Humidifier safety
Q: Is it dangerous to use a humidifier on a heat pump in a residence, and how should it be cleaned to prevent Legionnaires' disease?
S.S., Wytheville
Q: My humidifier came with lots of instructions for cleaning it; other people tell me they never clean theirs. Is this a particular brand's requirement?
L.J., Roanoke
A: Legionnaires' has been linked to humidifiers in recent years, but the chance of catching the disease in a private residence is much lower than the risk in public places.
This pneumonia bacterium doesn't grow on its own; someone breathes it out. When the germ reaches a warm, humid place, it can thrive.
Temperatures from 95 to 115 degrees are its preferred environment.
Humidifiers, both those in home heating/cooling systems and the portable ones sold in stores, usually come with instructions for cleaning.
It's impossible to repeat each manufacturer's rules here.
The requirements may include throwing out the old water twice a week or more. They may suggest scrubbing the interior and filter, possibly using chemicals ranging from chlorine bleach to bromine.
Room humidifiers can grow molds that affect some people severely, depending on their allergies and other conditions. They should be cleaned.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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