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Possible hazard?

jaja
jaja Member Posts: 2
in Indoor-Air Quality
I have a question about the exhaust and air intake on a heating furnace please. Could an air intake pipe leading to the outside be inside the exhaust pipe? The area around the intake or at least the inside pipe was foamed to prevent mice entry. I’m told that the furnace failed and the person could have died. Is this possible?
Thank you for your time.

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,332
    Yes, concentric venting (pipe in a pipe. Inside exhaust, outside combustion air) is allowable if the manufacture specs it. But what you show here is something that failed kindergarten arts and craft. Get that repaired ASAP.
  • jaja
    jaja Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for the info HVACNUT. This was done by one of my employees and I want to do what is right. Should I pay for repairs? Or is that such a micky mouse job that I shouldn’t? Just your opinion please. Thanks again
  • delta T
    delta T Member Posts: 884
    Sealing that connection around the exhaust leads to very poor combustion which leads to high levels of Carbon Monoxide. This is potentially lethal, we hear stories all to often of people who die becuase of things like this.

    Given the shape that the venting is in now, I would say it most likely needs to be replaced a fair way back, looks like it is not lined up properly, got far too hot (looks warped to me), and is missing a termination cap. Get a licensed HVAC tech out there to fix this ASAP. The unit CANNOT run with the venting in this state.
    SuperTech
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    jaja said:

    I have a question about the exhaust and air intake on a heating furnace please. Could an air intake pipe leading to the outside be inside the exhaust pipe? The area around the intake or at least the inside pipe was foamed to prevent mice entry. I’m told that the furnace failed and the person could have died. Is this possible?
    Thank you for your time.

    That is a concentric vent. It looks like it was broken off. The outer air intake has been plugged with foam and the exhaust has been hastily covered with a galvy screen that will rust out in short order. Any time a repair like this is made, the entire pipe should have been inspected and repaired with new manufacture and code approved parts.

    To answer your first question. Yes this certainly could have resulted in the failure of your furnace, and yes, someone could have died.

    If the work was performed by a contractor, I would say they owe you a new furnace.

    If the work was performed by an employee of yours, I would say you need to supervise them more closely so they do not kill someone.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    SuperTech
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    Zman said:

    If the work was performed by an employee of yours, I would say you need to supervise them more closely so they do not kill someone.

    If that were my employee, I'd fire him immediately. That would at least work in your favor when the lawyers get involved- and I have no doubt they will. Also, your insurance company may decide that they will no longer cover you if you keep that employee.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    delta TSuperTech
  • SuperTech
    SuperTech Member Posts: 2,430
    Yeah that's horrible. Your employee endangered the lives of your customers in this situation. I would definitely have a talk with him...
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
    You may be jumping the gun here. If he has disconnected the air in pipe from the furnace and is drawing combustion air from inside it should be ok. Yes it looks like he cut the pipe with tin snips and the screen won't last a season, but I don't think it's attempted murder just yet. Like Friday says just the facts mam.
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    The OP indicated that the furnace failed as a result. I am thinking it is still hooked up. Who knows what failed, it might run just fine if you give it some air.
    My guess is that the employee is a handyman hired by the owner or management company. I can't see anyone in the trade pulling a move like that.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
    With no combustion air the unit would not have fired for more then a few seconds if at all. After another read he states that it's the air in that was the inside pipe. That is not normal it is usually the exhaust pipe that is the inside pipe and the air in is the larger outer pipe. If his statement is true then his man sealed the vent. In order for the furnace to run at all he would have had to bypass several safty's.

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