Safety
Combustion Safety Red Flags
A stop-work reference for the moments that should slow the job down immediately.
Stop and escalate conditions
- Repeated rollout trips or visual evidence of flame rollout.
- Vent connectors with corrosion, disconnection, backdrafting, or obvious condensate damage.
- Sooting, delayed ignition, or burner carryover that threatens cabinet wiring or controls.
Field red flags
| What you see | Why it matters | Immediate move |
|---|---|---|
| Rollout switch open | Flame is where it should not be | Do not just reset and leave |
| High ambient CO or flue spillage signs | Occupant safety risk | Shut down and ventilate per procedure |
| Severe rust at burners or vent path | Combustion and vent integrity may be compromised | Full combustion and venting inspection |
What the cheat sheet is not
- It is not a replacement for a combustion analyzer, venting inspection, or manufacturer service procedure.
- It does not authorize bypassing safety devices to keep a unit running for convenience.
- It does not replace local code, utility requirements, or company red-tag policy.