This January 7, 2001 condominium fire in Torrance was caused by a Consolidated Industries/Bard 60,000 Btu furnace. Damage is estimated at $35,000.

On September 27, 2000, the Los Angeles Times published an in depth article detailing the fire and life safety hazards posed by particular horizontal forced air furnaces manufactured by Consolidated Industries. On this same day, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning that certain furnaces manufactured by Consolidated Industries presented a "substantial risk of fire". Unfortunately, fires continue to be caused by these furnaces in the homes of owners who have not heard of, or choose to ignore, this most serious fire and life safety hazard.

Since the September 27, 2000 Times article and the CPSC's warning, four more fires have been caused by these furnaces in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. This brings the number of fires known to have been caused in this area to 29 since 1990. Many more are known to have occurred throughout the state of California and an untold additional number suspected.

Initial concerns for the fire and life safety hazards posed by these furnaces focused on the units that were in the 75,000 to 120,000 Btu range. Fire loss experience now has also proven that the 60,000 Btu units are also susceptible to failure which result in fire.

Of current debate is whether units in the 50,000 Btu and smaller range also pose the same fire and life safety risk. Efforts are being made by the CPSC to answer this question at the current time. Time alone may also answer this question if the Fire Service begins documenting fires caused by these smaller units.

Homeowners with these furnaces are having a variety of experiences while trying to decide what actions to take. Homeowners have found that most Gas Companies will "red tag" and shut down their furnace if it is found to be one of the Consolidated units identified as hazardous. The Gas Company will not service one of these units, and will refer the owner to a licensed heating contractor. Next comes the decision of what contractor to call.

Some homeowners have simply replaced their units being happy for the years of service they enjoyed and feel thankful for not having had a fire. Others have found contractors who have been willing to remove the offending "Nox" rods with the goal of eliciting a few more years of hopefully trouble free use. The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has not commented on this practice to date. There is also no published documentation stating that removing Nox rods from one of these furnaces is guaranteed to render it as safe as a new unit.

The Torrance Fire Department is sympathetic to the homeowner’s dilemma in this matter. It is our goal to help the homeowner avoid a fire. We are offering our fire loss experience with these furnaces to assist the homeowner in their decision making process. It is certain that to diminish or ignore the potential of this fire and life safety issue is to invite an unwanted fire in one's attic.