Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

See what we found on a job?

Options
RayWohlfarth
RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,507
in THE MAIN WALL
Customer complained of headaches. This is what we found above the drop ceiling in the return air plennum



Ray Wohlfarth
Boiler Lessons

Comments

  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    Options
    Well...you probably saved some lives (or at least cured some 'illnesses').
    Did you get any CO readings from a personal monitor (or your analyzer)?

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    Canucker
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,643
    Options

    Canucker
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,574
    Options
    Scary.

    I have seen a lot of flue pipes that are not secured well enough for me, not enough screws and no hangers.

    It may stay up fine during normal operation.

    But,...............will it stay up if you get a puff back?

    That's my criteria
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,868
    Options
    So the smoke pipe goes thru the return-air plenum? Whoever did that should not be in the business.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Ironman
  • Rich_49
    Rich_49 Member Posts: 2,766
    edited March 2018
    Options
    Open plenums are disgusting and should be outlawed . Run ducts or figure something else out . Good thing you found this Ray , good job
    You didn't get what you didn't pay for and it will never be what you thought it would .
    Langans Plumbing & Heating LLC
    732-751-1560
    Serving most of New Jersey, Eastern Pa .
    Consultation, Design & Installation anywhere
    Rich McGrath 732-581-3833
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,507
    Options
    @STEVEusaPA We were there to look at installing an AC unit.
    @ratio That was my reaction when I saw this LOL
    @EBEBRATT-Ed We were told this did not work and then it started while there.
    @Steamhead I agree Some people are real hacks.
    @Rich Thanks. Return air plennums are dangerous
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,113
    Options
    Seems that no one knowns that they should be installed a single wall to double wall appliance adapter .Even on jobs i see inspected they never use them and when i do a job w permits the inspectors always look at the adp strangely and i tell them what it is and they usually say they never seen one funny cause that what is supposed to be used to prevent what rays picuture posted . great find ray its sad that some many have no idea of what there doing or more don t care and wouldnt spend the 46 dollars on the correct adp.peace and good luck clammy
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
  • NY_Rob
    NY_Rob Member Posts: 1,370
    Options
    RayWohlfarth said:

    Customer complained of headaches. This is what we found above the drop ceiling...

    They were fortunate they could still complain... dead men don't get headaches.

    No CO detectors in the building?

  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,507
    Options
    @clammy Right! How much extra would a proper adaptor cost in the scheme of things.
    @NY_Rob Great point No CO detectors in space.
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,574
    Options
    Most all commercial buildings have return air plenums. Your not going to change that.

    As far as the fluepipe in the RA plenum it doesn't sound like the best idea.....................Return air plenum is not supposed to contain any plastic, pvc piping, or plastic covered wiring Romex etc.

    Conduit, greenfield, mc cable anything metal is ok.

    Flue pipe doesn't seem right but I am thinking it meets code. Have to look that one up
  • Harvey Ramer
    Harvey Ramer Member Posts: 2,239
    Options
    A return air plenum has the potential to be at a lower static pressure than the flue. The only flue that should be allowed through the plenum is one that has no joints inside the plenum, and has welded seams.
  • Mike_Sheppard
    Mike_Sheppard Member Posts: 696
    Options
    We had a building with one woman who was constantly complaining of being light headed and dizzy and insisted it was because the boiler exhaust was leaking. I went out and checked the flue, the chimney, and checked combustion on the boiler. Everything was good. I checked back with the building maintenance a few weeks later and the lady was in the hospital. She was having heart attacks.
    Never stop learning.

Categories