On June 23, 2014, Mike McClintock, Special to Tribune Newspapers reported an article titled "Guarding against silent, deadly carbon monoxide"
He stated that unlike smoke you can smell and flames you can see, carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas that gives no hint of its lethal presence. It flows in the exhaust of water heaters, furnaces and anywhere there's a flame. It can kill in minutes, you don't cough or wake up to a noxious smell. You just don't wake up.
That's why building codes about removing CO are so stringent. They cover the kind of exhaust pipe you can use, the construction of flues, how close a sidewall vent can be to a window, even how high above the roof a flue must be to release the gas so it can't flow back into the building.
He explains that as a natural byproduct of combustion, CO is not some remote environmental threat. It comes out of automobile exhaust pipes, utility company smokestacks, backyard barbecues, and for the most part does not pose a health threat outside the house. However, inside is another matter. In tightly built energy-efficient homes, even small CO leaks can build to deadly concentrations. A small crack in a flue or a slightly loose connection between metal vent pipes can release the gas.
Besides following proper building code guidelines, carbon monoxide detectors are a must. If you own property in Chicago, make sure you keep current with the maintenance of your property. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. Don't risk a complaint which can generate a Building Code Violation. If you are cited for ANY building code violation, contact Bradford Miller Law, P.C. for a FREE 15-minute consultation. Located in downtown Chicago, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code Violations for several years.
Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com
Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale
Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.
