Staying CO Safe – From the Ground Up
Staying CO Safe – From the Ground Up
TSSA introduces carbon monoxide safety action plan to condominium and apartment owners and contractors
Over 50% of carbon monoxide injuries and fatalities in Ontario occur in apartment buildings and condominiums across the province. These incidents can happen due to faulty heating systems shared by multiple units.
And while water heaters, blocked venting and chimneys can be the culprit for these incidents, the majority of the incidents are caused by make-up air units. So how do we reduce the number of these incidents and ensure Ontarians stay safe? It starts from the ground up —and everyone has a part to play.
A Team Effort in Keeping Tenants Safer
Approximately 63% of CO risk or incidents are due to fuel- burning devices which have not been properly maintained. This can result in the release of poisonous CO gas into a residence or public area within a building, an explosion or a fire. It is the responsibility of the building owner to schedule regular inspections and maintenance for the fuel-burning devices within the building in accordance with the TSS Act and all associated regulations. It is also the responsibility of any contractor working on a fuel-burning device in your building to ensure their work is completed according to regulations and the manufacturer’s certified instructions posted on each and every device.
TSSA: Keeping Ontarians Safer
Ensuring public safety—it’s the cornerstone that TSSA is built on. And while owners, contractors and residence play their parts in helping keep everyone safe, it’s TSSA who enforces, inspects and advocates for the public. So, what are we doing to address the CO risk in apartments and condominiums?
Enforce and Inspect
As a part of our Apartments and Condominium Action Plan, TSSA has launched a multi-pronged inspection program focusing on locations within the province of Ontario where past CO incidents have occurred. Beginning in early 2018, TSSA will be contacting over 100 locations and scheduling inspections of those locations’ fuel-burning devices to ensure they have been properly maintained. Throughout the remainder of 2018, a targeted approach will take place to close out the plan.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FUELS RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MULTI-UNIT BUILDING OWNER, PLEASE CONTACT TSSA’S FUELS TECH DESK AT:
fuels_technical_services@tssa.org or 416-734-2726
For any other questions, please contact TSSA toll-free at
1-877-682-8772 or visit us online at www.tssa.org
Whether a building owner or resident of a building, please feel free to download our CO Safe from the Ground Up brochure, attached below, and learn about CO safety where you live today.
