The pilot light in my gas furnace goes out every day, is it a health hazard?

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Jessica

My landlord refuses to repair the gas furnace, even though the pilot light has been going out on a weekly basis for all the 8 months I have been his tenant. The only thing he has done so far is (last week) to get a plumber to install a new ignotion switch. (Previously, it was having to be relit with a long match as the switch was broken.)

Putting a new switch on only makes it easier to relight, it doesn't solve the problem of why it was going out to begin with. Since this was done 5 days ago, the gas has gone out every day, the last two days it was twice in one day. The ladt time we had to re-light it todsy, it took numetous attempts over about 20 minutes.

I am a NY tenant. We rent a 2 family house with my family on the ground floor. when the gas boiler goes out, it means the tenant upstairs has no hot water either. She told us this has been going on for 4 years, yet does not seem willing to 'rock' the boat.

First question is my highest concern- is this a health hazard to my family and I? I have had a huge increase in migraines and wonder if this is connected.

Can I force my landlord to repair it?

In NY, is the landlord obligated to 1/ install smoke and carbon monocide detectors and 2/ to have the gas boiler (furnace) inspected annually? This is a legal requirement in many European countries.

Thanks so much for any advice or thoughts! All will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
If this is a forced air furnace there is a very important and possibly dangerous situation that hasn't been raised. A cracked heat exchanger will not only keep blowing the pilot out but can cause carbon monoxide buildup.

Relight the pilot and burner and wait for the blower to cycle on.If you see the flame fluttering, or worse yet, if the flame starts moving towards the the front part of the heat exchanger cell shut it off completely and possibly start shopping for a new furnace!

However a severely rusted burner assembly on some brands can cause the same symptoms. Hopefully a good cleaning with a wire brush will cure your problem.

Good luck!

New carbon monoxide detector law?

ChasesM

What is the new law for carbon monoxide detectors? We rent an apartment. Are the landlords required to provide them? What about smoke detectors? We live on the second story 2 bedroom apartment with one smoke detector.
We live in Jamestown, NY.
Or does anyone know a website were I can find the info?

Answer
âIn the case of a building constructed on or after January 1, 2008, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

â1. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story having a sleeping area.

â2. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on each story where a carbon monoxide source is located.

âOne carbon monoxide alarm installed on a story of a dwelling unit or sleeping unit having both a sleeping area and a carbon monoxide source shall suffice for that story within that dwelling unit or sleeping unit.

âIn the case of a building constructed before January 1, 2008, a carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in each of the following locations:

â1. Within each dwelling unit or sleeping unit, on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

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