Fire hazard

[John Liczwinko, #374]

Inspected a house that had a fan assisted wall heater that was partly blocked with a wood door. What would be acceptable repairs besides moving the heater: Install a metal door? Install a bi-fold door? Install a door stop to keep the door away from the heater and what would be the safe distance?
John

[mnahrgang]

How about shutting the door?

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Too simple.

[Bob Elliott]

I think he is concerned as to if it poses a fire hazard.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Most of those heaters are equipped with Thermal safety switches so if they overheat, they will shut off and have to re-set manually.

Oh, and the door might get a little warm.

Could someone please shut the door.

[John Liczwinko, #374]

The Cadet Co. recommends 3' clearance from the front of the heater.Keeping the door closed is not an answer and thermal switches are known to fail. I would not want to tell a client who's house burned down, that they should of had the door closed.

[William Warner]

Needs relocated or removal in my opinion.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by wwarner

Needs relocated or removal in my opinion.

Exactly, it is a poor installation location.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I don't think that admitting the heater is badly coordinated with the function was ever an issue.
A partially blocked fan forced heater (electric) will not function as manufactured, but doubt it would cause a fire like it's relative, the electric radiant heater.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jliczwinko

Inspected a house that had a fan assisted wall heater that was partly blocked with a wood door. What would be acceptable repairs besides moving the heater: Install a metal door? Install a bi-fold door? Install a door stop to keep the door away from the heater and what would be the safe distance?
John

Door is to close too heater vent, recommend evaluation by HVAC Contractor with remedy as necessary.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That is exactly what I would have noted in my report Brian,

Thanks and Noted.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mcyr

That is exactly what I would have noted in my report Brian,

Thanks and Noted.

Some of here are truly experts in many phases of Construction(Marcel specifically, me not so much). But as an Inspector it is not our job to design/advise/suggest how to fix/repair/correct anything. This will lead to trouble. ID the problem, suggest/recommend the appropriate trade/specialist to evaluated and repair/correct/as needed.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I totally agree Brian, but my perspective here is to help understand the root of the consequences of why a particular defect occurred.

If I can help some in understanding the actual circumstances of how something is and why it is not right or will not collapse, is a step in a direction needed to properly describe the defieciency observed.

Narritives to protect your behind is valued at just that.

I do operate under a different hat when doing inspections and use the same narratives, because most of the time, you don't know the clients.
It is always good to protect yourself against unwarranted claims, but knowing what is right and what is wrong is always a +. And the biggest question is why it is not right.

After all, some Members like to know the Why for there own education for latter use.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by mcyr

I totally agree Brian, but my perspective here is to help understand the root of the consequences of why a particular defect occurred.

If I can help some in understanding the actual circumstances of how something is and why it is not right or will not collapse, is a step in a direction needed to properly describe the defieciency observed.

Narritives to protect your behind is valued at just that.

I do operate under a different hat when doing inspections and use the same narratives, because most of the time, you don't know the clients.
It is always good to protect yourself against unwarranted claims, but knowing what is right and what is wrong is always a +. And the biggest question is why it is not right.

After all, some Members like to know the Why for there own education for latter use.

I am not sure it is always about self protection Marcel as it is about the best service. I can look at something and tell if it is or is not working, and tell who should repair it. But, I do not repair things on a regular basis, so I am not familiar with the best practice, or the costs associated to repair/fix things. There may be many ways to correct defects.
Nor will I tear what ever it is that is defective apart to truly diagnose what is exactly wrong.

Now do I still tell people verbally sometimes my opinion about stuff?? Perhaps.......