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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Release # 05-050 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Jenn-Air Downdraft Gas Cooktops Units: About 1,170 Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa Hazard: The recalled cooktops have switches located too close to the gas tubing leading to the grill burner. Electrical arcing can cause the tubing to leak gas and ignite, resulting in a fire hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received four reports of cooktops catching fire during use as a result of a gas leak. There have been no reports of injuries. Description: The recall includes built-in Jenn-Air model JGD8348CDP downdraft gas cooktops. They have serial numbers xxxxxxxEA through xxxxxxxER. The cooktops were manufactured by Maytag between January 1, 2004 and September 17, 2004. The model name and serial number are printed on a label on the vent fan housing, which is visible in the cabinet under the cooktop. Sold at: Appliance stores nationwide from January 2004 through September 2004 for about $2,000. Manufactured in: U.S. Remedy: Customers who have purchased one of these recalled cooktops should contact Maytag to schedule a free, in-home repair. Consumers should stop using the grill or burners activated by the two left hand controls until the repair is completed. The center and right hand burners can be used. Consumer Contact: Contact Maytag Corp. at (888) 330-3810 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.maytag.com. Firm's Hotline: (888) 330-3810 View this press release online at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05050.html. CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

MASON, Ohio, Nov. 15 Thomson Higher Education, part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC - News; TSX: TOC - News) and a leading provider of personalized educational information, announced today that it will offer an online home inspection curriculum through its CompuTaught imprint. CompuTaught offers quality online courses that provide busy professionals with a fast, easy, and convenient way to satisfy education requirements. "At Thomson, we're excited to expand our online courses to include the fast-growing area of home inspection," said Ed Moura, president, Thomson Business and Professional Publishing, the business unit that serves the real estate market with its growing suite of products. "Strategically, this opportunity fits with our overall planned growth to extend beyond our present set of online courses for real estate and to offer a greater depth and breadth of courses in real estate-related markets." The world's largest home inspection association, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), which serves over 9,400 home inspectors worldwide, reports that its membership is growing at an average rate of 300 per month. Given the industry growth, CompuTaught's online home inspection curriculum is coming at a perfect time to meet the needs of the many busy professionals considering entering this field who would benefit from the convenience of a user-friendly, interactive, and completely self-paced online experience. CompuTaught's mastery and fluency-based learning system for home inspection features the following: -- Instruction tailored to the needs of each individual student to ensure mastery and fluency in each topic. -- Interactive tutorials that monitor learner progress and provide feedback as needed to help them learn the material easily and completely. -- Comprehensive coverage based on the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHII) training curriculum that includes traditional subject areas, as well as an emphasis on standards of practice. -- Best practices for successful business development -- equipping future home inspectors with practical tips and strategies they can immediately apply to develop their own successful home inspection practice. "Currently, twenty-eight states have passed some form of licensing for home inspectors, and this number continues to expand. Many education providers are challenged to meet these licensing requirements, but CompuTaught's quality distance learning program has passed stringent state licensing requirements and professional association certification for more than 16 years. CompuTaught will now offer the home inspection professional a proven learning methodology to obtain the solid foundation of training needed for success," said Bud Hunsucker, senior vice president and general manager for the CompuTaught imprint at Thomson Business and Professional Publishing. Earlier this year, Thomson purchased CompuTaught to complement its line of real estate and appraisal products. Founded in Marietta, GA., in 1989, CompuTaught was the first in the country to offer state-approved real estate licensing courses on computer and continues to be the leading developer of computer-based education for the real estate and appraisal professions. In addition to the new online home inspection courses, CompuTaught provides state-approved licensing courses in real estate and appraisal, including the National USPAP 15-hour Equivalent Course. It currently distributes its courses through more than 200 independent schools. For more information on CompuTaught, its online courses, or the CompuTaught Education Referral Network, visit http://www.computaught.com . About The Thomson Corporation The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com ), with 2003 revenues of $7.44 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 38,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC - News; TSX: TOC - News). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations, and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning. Thomson Higher Education (http://www.wadsworth.com ; http://www.brookscole.com ; http://www.swlearning.com ; http://www.heinle.com ) is a leading provider of higher education textbooks, software, and Internet materials for the humanities, behavioral, and social sciences, mathematics and the sciences, and business and economics. Thomson Higher Education publishes under the brands of Thomson Wadsworth, Thomson Brooks/Cole, Thomson South-Western, Thomson Heinle, and Thomson Schirmer. Source: The Thomson Corporation

Hi Darren, That's one I've never heard before. However, if all oil flues could not be more than 10ft. in length there are literally millions of heating systems that are violating that rule. What's up with that? Sometimes you can't believe everything that you read. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

I have rubber soles on my shoes, my screwdrivers are insulated and have my glasses to protect my eyes. Sometimes, I'll still be wearing my nitrile gloves when I get to the panel, but often not. I've had one throw an arc and pop a breaker due to a sharp screw that had cut into a wire and I've had breakers fall out on me. Funny story. I used to be so frightened of inspecting these damned things that I would stand back as far as I physically could and lean way inward to the panels to remove them. My reasoning was that if I got hit by the panel, my body's dead weight would continue to carry me to the floor and pull my hand off the panel if I got zapped. Funny term that - "dead" weight. After a while, I got over my nervousness. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Darren, There is a rule in the codes which states that an uninsulated horizontal connector may be equal to or less than (<) 75% of the total length of the vertical leg of the vent, and an insulated (double-walled) connector can be equal to or less than 100% of the total length of the vertical leg of the vent (IRC 1803.3.2/UMC 815.2.2.7). I've never heard of a 10ft. rule. Vent pipe size does come into play, but so does the total BTU/HR usage of the appliance, the total cubic feet of the area where the appliances are located, their sources of combustion air, whether other air-scavenging appliances are located within the same space, tightness of the building, temperature of the space where the furnace and water heater are located and the type, size and location of the flue which they are venting into. On top of that, minerals in the soil of that crawlspace may very well shorten the life of that pipe that's in contact with the soil and cause it to cool more rapidly as well. That's why you need to understand the science of what is going on with combustion and the flue and what conditions must work together for the furnace to vent properly. The article that I cited above is an excellent place to garner the basics of this issue, so I'll see if I can upload it to the downloads section for you guys. First I have to check with my boss at JLC and see if that is okay. For you folks who're new to the business, a lot of what we need to know in this business is grounded in science. A background in the trades isn't necessarily going to give you all of the tools that you need to do this job well, and it'll be easy for yourhead to "spin", if you don't have a good understanding of basic physical science as well as building science issues. I recommend that you spend as much time as you can studying these issues. There are some great sites to do so. You can subscribe to JLC and Fine Homebuilding. You can frequent this and the JLC Building Science Forum. You can visit Joe Lstiburek's website at Building Science Corp., or you can hang out on the Home Energy Site and read as much as you can. You can also take college courses in physical science and building science. Whatever you do, don't stop trying to learn everything you can each and every day you're in this business or you'll get left behind by technology. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Bruce, I think you've right, it isn't drafting correctly. However, in regard to the propane/oil in the same vent I think you've erred there. According to my HVAC CodeCheck, it is okay to vent oil and gas into the same flue (IRC 2426.5.6.2/UMC 809.0). The same text, when discussing Gas-Appliance Venting says that no solid fuel and gas-burning appliances can be connected to the same vent (IRC2426.5.7.1/UMC 802.4) and no common connection with a solid-fuel chimney (IRC 1801.11/UMC815.2.2.9). Also, the length of the horizontal run, although very long, might not have anything to do with why it isn't venting well. Darren didn't say whether the connector is a single-wall or double-walled vent. If it is a double-walled vent and no longer than 18 ft. with an 18ft. vertical vent, it would not have too long a horizontal run - at least not according to the code. It could be the type of flue - single-wall vs. double-wall - it might be the tightness of the area where the furnace is located, it might even be that a cold air return or a clothes dryer are too close to the furnace and water heater or they are too close to each other. There are lots of possibilities. One thing that I don't think HVAC guys do very much, but are supposed to since about 1990, is to check the amount of draw on a flue and determine the combined total BTU/HR of all appliances connected to the vent, determine whether there is sufficient make-up air in the space where they are installed, and then, if so, compare the total combined BTU/HR usage to the NFPA vent sizing tables that were published back then to serve as a guide for flue sizing. They're still doing things the old way - using vent ratios - to determine whether a vent is too large or too small. If you've got a copy lying around, refer to the February 2003 issue of JLC for a great article by Bob Dwyer and Mark Gronley on page 75 about this topic. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi, I think you've gotten the GFCI labeling requirement confused with regular wiring. Here's what Douglas Hansen says about the issue in his book Electrical Inspection of Existing Dwellings 2001 Edition: ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Crusty, Thanks for your response. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say you can't beat CMU walls, because conventionally placed concrete walls have a whole lot more lateral strength than CMU's, despite filling and rebar, but what was unique about this product is that it is a wood/cement product like Hardiplank and has been around since long before Hardiplank ever existed. That's the primary reason I'm curious about it. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

November 15, 2004 Release # 05-047 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Gas furnaces Units: About 226,000 Manufacturer: The Unitary Products Group (UPG) of York International Corp., of York, Pa. Hazard: These furnaces can overheat, causing heat-exchanger cracking, burn-through and, in extreme cases, furnace wrapper burn-through. This can lead to heating and possible burning of the drywall and other combustibles adjacent to the furnace, which poses a fire and smoke hazard to consumers. Incidents/Injuries: UPG has received 27 reports of fires, some resulting in extensive property damage that could be related to these hazards. There have been no injuries reported. Description: The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. The furnaces are a silver color with white access panels. The "Coleman," "Coleman Evcon" and "Red T" brand names are located on the middle of the front access panel. These model furnaces with model numbers listed below are included in the recall: DGAM075BDD DGAM075BDE DGAM075BDF DGAT070BDD DGAT070BDE DGAT070BDF DGAT075BDD DGAT075BDE DGAT075BDF DLAS075BDD DLAS075BDE DLAS075BDF The model number is written on a nameplate, found by removing both front access panels. The nameplate is found mounted on the left inside surface behind the lower panel. Sold at: These furnaces were sold nationwide between 1995 and 2000 under the brand names of Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T as original equipment in manufactured homes and as replacement furnaces in manufactured homes. Manufactured in: Wichita, Kan. Remedy: Consumers should not use the heating function of these furnaces until it has been inspected and repaired. Consumers should contact UPG to schedule a free inspection and repair of any furnace involved in the recall. Consumer Contact: For more information, call UPG toll-free at (888)665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.dgatprogram.com. UPG Technical Services is also conducting a comprehensive notification and communications program and working with its distributors to locate owners. View this recall online at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05047.html Firm's Hotline: (888) 665-4640 Firm's Media Contact: Helen Marsteller at (717) 771-7451 RMM Recall Hotline: (800) 304-1316 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Hi All, The devestation in Florida and the high cost of wood, and woods apparent susceptibility to rot and insect infestation today vs. older wood of the same species, has had me wondering about other building methods. I've been exploring some alternative building technologies on various building science sites and found a link to this product. Has anyone ever seen this system used? I actually got directed to this site from the PATH site. According to the company, they've been around since 1953, yet I've never seen or heard about it. Here's the link: Durisol Dry-laid Block System Input anyone? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hmmm, In the Army we had a saying - "Buddy is only half a word." [:-censore OT - OF!!! M.

Well, For, those new to the biz, that's a great illustration of one of the reasons why one is prohibited from using a single-walled vent in unconditioned space. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Chad, I think you're okay. New York adopted the IRC last year, right? I'm looking at my Code Check and seeing: Bathroom, Toilet & Bidet, 30in. wide clearance, 21 in. at front IRC 2705.1. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hmmm, That's kind of interesting, 'cuz there's tons and tons of UFFI in homes around here that hasn't caused any paint problems. Was the home brand new by any chance? Was the redwood siding backprimed? Was the redwood siding properly conditioned and prepared for painting? Was it installed direct to studs or over sheathing? Redwood, like cedar, has extractives that can be paint unfriendly and needs to be carefully prepared and primed before painting. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Bruce, Actually, UFFI was not the mess it was made out to be by the media. It turns out that in the end it off-gases for about 3 weeks and then after that has less UF in it than most other building materials and other things that we're regularly exposed to. It was just a big media scare that wiped out a lot of legitimate businessmen - just like the mold hype is doing today. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

This should be good for some lively discussion. Check it out and then voice your opinion. Voodoo, Smoke & Mirrors, Junk Science, No Science....??? Ceramic "Insulation" ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

This is kind of interesting. I could get on board with this. (You'll have to register at this link, but the process takes about 20 seconds.) Houston is trying something new. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

I think it depends on the panel manufacturer's listing and labeling. I'm pretty sure that most of them make bus bars that can be added to their panels in the event additional terminals are needed. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi All, Thought some of you who, like me, read voraciously about everything related to construction and building science that they can, might be interested in some of the pubs available from the HUD User Web Store - Building Technology Section. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Then there are those clever folks down under. The Aussies have two varieties of inspectors - Building Surveyors and Building Inspectors. The Building Surveyor would be the equivalent of a cross between a muni inspector and a construction consultant here, and the Building Inspector is a Building Surveyor Lite and has the same function we do. Interestingly, the Aussie Building Inspectors don't have to do electro-mechanical systems, so buyers have to hire trades to come in and inspect those components. Holmsglen International residence course Central Queensland University's Bachelor of Building Surveying External Degree Program (A student taking this course can complete 2/3 of the course and graduate with an Advanced Diploma of Building Inspection - sort of the equivalent of our Associates Degree - by completing the courses below.) Central Queensland University's Advanced Diploma of Building Inspection OT - OF!!! M.

Hi All, Douglas has a lot to say about grounding and bonding in his book, but I think this is what Kurt is looking for. From Electrical Inspections of Existing Dwellings - 2001 Edition: ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Dang! Here's another one! Humber College OT - OF!!! M.

Hmmm, Here's an organization and program that I'd never heard of before: British Columbia Institute of Property Inspectors"\ British Columbia Institute of Technology House Inspector Program Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

I still don't think 5PPM is anything to be concerned about. I grew up in a home that had an unvented gas stove with a pilot light burning 24/7/365. Not even once was anyone in my family ever affected by that pilot. When that water heater lights off, the interlock will kick on the fan and it will draft fine. If it didn't then I'd be concerned. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike

Hi Steve, 5PPM isn't a whole lot. You don't really have a dangerous condition unless you are producing 9PPM consistently. Are you sure it was the pilot? Was anyone smoking in the house at the time? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike