Failed Heat Exchanger Leads to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Home

Location: Surrey

Regulated industry sector: Gas - Natural gas system

Incident overview

During a winter cold snap, the heat exchanger in a natural gas furnace failed, causing high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) to fill a residential townhome. Redundant safety features on the furnace, like the flame rollout switch and the air proving switch, also failed to control the hazard. The high levels of CO triggered CO detectors to alarm. One adult and three children were taken to hospital and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.