Preventing accidents
| POOL HEATER INSTALLATION CHECKLIST |
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| • Ensure the heater is approved for use on pools. Tankless or conventional water heaters (e.g. a 150-L [40-gal] hot water heater) are not designed to heat pools. • Ensure the pool heater is approved for its installation location (i.e. indoors or outdoors). If the heater is installed inside a building, it is critical the unit is approved for this type of installation and that the venting terminates outside the building. • Ensure there is adequate combustion air to minimize the possibility of carbon monoxide (CO). • Read and comply with the manufacturer’s certified instructions and all applicable provincial codes for the installation. |
Carbon monoxide is a leading cause of accidental poisoning in North America,5 and a good reason why swimming pool owners should have a certified fuel technician inspect and maintain their pool heaters annually.
This odourless gas is produced as a byproduct of combustion when common fuel-burning appliances and equipment that use natural gas, oil, wood, propane, and kerosene, do not get enough air for complete combustion. When this happens, CO can build-up—especially in a confined room or space—and can lead to toxic effects on humans and pets.
John Marshall, BA, CIGC, CFEI, is director of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA) Fuels Safety Program. TSSA is Ontario’s public safety regulator mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety in key sectors of the provincial economy. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety. Marshall can be contacted via e-mail at jmarshall@tssa.org.
