Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine April 2018

4. Due to friction and restriction in the vent pipe, some of the fumes were not expelled but spilled out of the furnace. 5. The return air was very leaky because the installing contractor did not seal the connections. 6. Fumes spilled from the furnace were sucked into the return air and then distributed into the office of the Governor—thus the smell of gas. OK, whether or not you buy this explanation is not the point. The point is that ignorance or carelessness created an unhealthy and potentially dangerous environment for our Governor. This is very important to him for very personal reasons; i.e., his health. It is important to our industry and the legislature because it illustrates the fact that the HVACR industry is involved in the health and safety of every home and business in Arkansas. Licensing and continuing education are important and should be required for those who desire to be in the HVACR business. I have heard some say, “It should be buyer beware!” OK, I don’t like people telling me what to do either but how many Governors or regular citizens must we put at risk and potentially kill before we realize that the HVACR industry must be regulated. A license says the person has some modicum of knowledge and experience that would allow them to

practice craft. Continuing education says that they are keeping current on code and health and safety issues which protect the public. This particular incident involves the Governor and therefore many will be interested; but, what about the family in Ft. Smith that almost died from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter. You may not know them and you may not think them as important as the Governor; but, they are even more important to their family and friends. Their story is one too often repeated across the state after a hail storm. The roofer disconnected the roof vent. The furnace fumes, carbon monoxide, dumped into the attic, entered the house and the family was two hours from being dead when the paramedics and fireman arrived. Many people think they have the flu when in reality they have early stages of CO poisoning. It is all too common. According to the EPA, unintentional CO poisonings are responsible for about 500 deaths and 15,000 visits to emergency rooms annually. Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common cause of poisoning death in the United States? Perhaps people should just purchase a carbon monoxide detector rather that require licensing and continuing education of the HVACR industry. One thing is sure, everyone should have fire and carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home; however, the Carbon Monoxide Saftey Association says, the HVACR