Gas Fireplace Safety Tips from CSA International

TORONTO , Oct. 13 /CNW/ - Spending time with a book or a loved one in front of a warm and cozy fire is a pleasant experience many Canadians embrace during the colder winter months. Not only do gas fireplaces offer us memorable moments and decorative qualities, they also provide comfortable, economical and supplemental heating for the home. However, before using gas fireplaces this season, it is important to take the time to conduct a routine inspection and annual maintenance.

CSA International, a leading provider of product testing and certification services, offers the following tips to help you prepare your gas fireplace for the winter season:

    
    Gas Fireplace Maintenance
    -------------------------
    -   Follow the manufacturer's instructions in the owner's manual, or use
        the care guide for maintenance and use of your gas fireplace.
    -   Installation and repair of a fireplace should be done by a qualified
        professional service person.
    -   A fireplace should be inspected before use and checked annually by a
        qualified professional service person.
    -   Control compartments, burners and circulating air passageways of the
        appliance must be kept clean.
    -   Do not store combustible materials, gasoline or other flammable
        vapours and liquids in the vicinity of your fireplace.
    -   Due to high temperatures, the fireplace should be installed out of
        traffic and away from furniture and draperies.
    -   Children and adults should be alerted to the hazards of high surface
        temperatures and should stay away to avoid burns or the possibility
        of clothing catching on fire.
    -   Young children should be carefully supervised when they are in a room
        with a fireplace.
    -   Clothing or other flammable material should not be placed on or near
        the fireplace.
    -   Any safety screen or guard removed for servicing a fireplace must be
        replaced before operating the appliance.
    -   If the pilot light or flame goes out, wait five minutes or longer
        (see the manufacturer's instructions) before attempting to relight
        the fireplace. This allows time to clear the fireplace of gas and is
        particularly important with direct-vent models.
    -   Be alert for unusual odours or odd-coloured flames, which are often a
        sign that the fireplace is not operating properly. In such cases,
        contact your dealer or licensed technician for servicing. Contact the
        gas company or emergency services if you smell gas when the unit is
        off.
    -   Gas fireplaces with glass doors should not be operated if the glass
        is cracked or broken.
    -   Do not clean your fireplace if it is operational or still hot.
    -   Do not use abrasive cleaners, and always refer to manufacturer's
        instructions when cleaning glass components of your fireplace.
    -   Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and lethal gas that can
        occur any time there is incomplete combustion or poor venting. Any
        home that contains combustion appliances such as a gas fireplace
        should have a CSA International-certified carbon monoxide alarm
        installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you intend
        to purchase a new carbon monoxide alarm, be sure to look for one
        bearing the CSA International Certification Flame mark and CSA 6.19-
        01 reference mark.
    -   In humid or hot weather, ensure that you flip the gas switch to
        'Off'. This will help keep your fireplace in good shape as well as
        your energy costs down.
    

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA International certification marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a leading solutions based standards organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit www.csa-international.org

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For further information: Marco A. Ouji, Media Relations Officer, CSA Group, T: [phone], E: [email protected]