Correct installation and maintenance do not guarantee protection against indoor carbon monoxide emissions from gas boilers in British Columbia homes, schools, and care facilities.

Here's what to know

Technical Safety BC examined 13 incidents dating back to 2021 and identified a shared risk affecting a category of direct-ignition boilers, according to Canadian Occupational Safety.

These appliances serve only space heating, and they resemble wall-mounted instantaneous water heaters.

A boiler can keep operating with a damaged exhaust vent, sending carbon monoxide indoors instead of outside, explained Ryan Hazlett, leader of incident investigations at Technical Safety BC. The damage results from a small explosion inside the appliance: Delayed ignition allows gas to build up before it burns.

"What we identified after that is that these boilers don't recognize that," Hazlett said. "There's no safety mechanism required for that, and so they continue to operate releasing that carbon monoxide indoors."

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More background

Multiple units can also be connected to heat schools and apartment buildings. Hazlett also described the boilers as a popular option in larger single-family homes.

For Hazlett, the findings exposed shortcomings in the certification standard. Reviewing the incidents together revealed a shared risk that went beyond the installation and servicing problems initially blamed in individual cases. Those problems heightened the danger, but focusing on them had made the broader issue harder to identify.

Carbon monoxide alarms must comply with the BC Building Code and, under the safety order, be located in mechanical rooms and close to sleeping areas, COS reported. Building owners must also arrange servicing by licensed contractors, who must check that ignition and venting work correctly.

No deaths or serious injuries associated with these boilers have been reported in British Columbia, Hazlett said.

What's being done?

Technical Safety BC has requested changes to the certification standard from the Standards Committee and is working with boiler makers worldwide, according to COS.

"In the meantime, the safety order is intended to lower the risk to an acceptable level while these long-term fixes are implemented by manufacturers and the standard," Hazlett emphasized.

Separately, efficient heating and cooling upgrades can help households manage energy expenses and exposure to higher energy prices. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0-down options, with stated potential to lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance, making ongoing equipment care part of the upgrade decision.

For homeowners exploring efficient electric HVAC, pairing it with solar can further help manage utility spending and make a home more self-reliant. EasyHome offers a solar comparison-shopping tool to help homeowners view installation offers side by side and make sure they get the best deal.

Where can I learn more?

Soot, unusual smells, and disconnected vents have raised boiler safety concerns in other homes, too. These stories follow homeowners and renters dealing with carbon monoxide fears, aging boilers, and questions after servicing.

• A home inspector flagged carbon monoxide concerns around an old boiler.

• A UK tenant noticed black soot above a boiler after experiencing a headache.

• A working 1970s boiler drew urgent warnings over soot and calls for professional inspection.

• A UK renter's post-service boiler smell led an emergency line to suggest detection fluid.

• A homeowner spotted water on floorboards before learning the vent wasn't attached.

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