Furnace Power Switch

[homechecker]

furnace/boiler switch

furnace/boiler switch

The switch to shut off an oil fired boiler or furnace must be outside of the room containing the heater.When an oil fired heating system malfunctions it usually smokes alot. The idea is that you can shut down the system without breathing in the smoke.This switch is an emergency switch.The switch on the side or next to the heater is the serviceman switch.This is in the fire prevention code book. It covers oil fired heaters.

Gas fired heaters is under the plumbing code. The emergency switch is not required. Only the service switch. A malfuction in a gas system like a gas leak does not smoke. When you smell gas get out! The time you might spend shutting off a switch or the arc of the switch may be lethal.

 

[morepower]

Morepower

Morepower

NFPA 31, 4-3.1, 1997 edition. It is quite clear where the switch is to be located. This does not apply to gas fired appliances, only oil fired. I'm one of those that can honestly say " Good thing the emergency switch was there". My neighbor's fuel line sprung a leak at the furnace and was spewing burning oil all over the furnace room because the furnace was running. As you will see by referencing the code, the switch has to be placed "in a readily accessible location at a safe distance from the burner".

 

[Foorsail]

Furnace Switch

Furnace Switch

No disconnect switch required at the top of the stairs in electric or building code. Unless this is the only disconnect per the code.

Have a nice day.