Air Pollution in Your Home

Pollution Indoors

air pollution
Adequate ventilation and good air distribution are important.

In our cities, the air we breathe is not clean. Coal plants and factories belch out harmful CO2, trucks and cars spew filthy exhaust fumes. Many families in our cities rely on coal and wood fires for heating and cooking. On the outskirts of the city, cows and other farm animals add methane to the mix. Sometimes just looking out your window at all the pollution may be enough to make you stay indoors.

Staying indoors

The degradation of indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor pollution. Pollutants can build up more in the much smaller closed-up area of your home. They may not be ventilated to the outside.

You may think indoor air pollution does not apply to you. In addition, you don’t live near a highway, farm or industrial plant.  You don’t smoke and you don’t use a wood-burning stove. However, the air you breathe may still be polluted.

Some very surprising sources cause indoor air pollution:

  • Your house itself.
  • The land on which your house is constructed.

Furthermore, we spend a large portion of our time indoors. Indoor pollution can then becomes a serious concern.

Side effects of air pollution

Some side effects of indoor pollution is maybe a little worse than the common cold. However, pollution can lead to coma, lung cancer and death if you are exposed over a long period. Continue reading “Air Pollution in Your Home”

Gas installations in your home

Gas Certificate of Conformity

gas certificate

Gas certificates

Many homeowners have installed gas appliances due to high electricity costs. However, homeowners must comply with specific regulations which relate to safe installations, Gas Certificates of Conformity and South African National Standards.

Appliances must conform to the relevant SABS standard (SANS 1539).

As from 2009, the Occupation Health and Safety Act (No 85 of 1993) requires that all gas installations must have a Gas Certificate of Conformity! This applies to all permanent installations such as gas fires, hobs, stoves and braais. After an installation has been inspected a Gas CoC is issued if it is safe and leak-free.

Authorised installers registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGSASA) issue certificates.

Any homeowner who has a liquefied petroleum gas (LPGas) appliance installed in their home must have this certificate.

Home insurance

Gas appliances that leak could have major health implications for a family. Not to mention the huge danger of an explosion.

If you don’t have this gas certificate an insurance company will repudiate claims. This could have severe financial repercussions for you. Such an inspection is essential for your insurance policy to remain valid. Moreover, an inspection will ensure that the installation is safe and your family is not at risk.

When you sell your home. you are required to hand over the gas certificate to the new purchaser.

Safety service checks

If you smell gas or suspect your gas appliance is leaking turn off the appliance immediately. In addition, open all the doors and windows to air the room and shut off the gas supply at the control valve. Before you use it again, have it checked by a registered gas installer.

Have a registered gas installer perform an annual service check to ensure your gas installations remain in working order. Go to either the LPGSASA website or the SAQCCGAS website for a list of registered gas installers near you.

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THE HOME DETECTIVE » gas heater

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