 Flexible Radiant Ceiling Heating Panels

Toronto, Ontario, March 9, 1994:  The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has 
been conducting investigations of incidents involving flexible radiant ceiling 
heating panels in cooperation with regulatory authorities in British Columbia, 
Ontario and Qubec.  British Columbia and Qubec have ordered the 
disconnection of Thermaflex and Aztec-Flexel radiant ceiling heating panels 
rated 22 watts per sq. ft. in response to recent incidents, including some 
fires.  

CSA recognizes that a potential problem exists with flexible radiant ceiling 
heating panel systems.  While the product meets the existing standard, 
something is happening in the field to cause these fires.  The direct cause in 
many of the incidents has not yet been determined because of the variables in 
the system, which include the product itself, the installation, construction 
practices and the proximity of radiant heating panels to other building 
construction materials and heat sources. 

As a standards writing organization, CSA's role is to facilitate the 
development of standards, many of which become National Standards of Canada.  
Standards are developed through the voluntary consensus principle, using a 
committee with a balanced matrix of membership consisting of regulators, 
consumers, experts and manufacturers. As a certifier, CSA's role and 
responsibility is to ensure, through testing and evaluation, that products 
comply with the applicable National Standards.  Radiant ceiling heating panels 
have been in use in Europe for more than 30 years and in North America for 
more than 10 years, and as such are designed to meet the requirements of the 
major certification organizations in Canada, the United States and Europe. 

In response to the incidents occurring in the field, CSA is working very 
closely with all the parties involved; the regulatory authorities, the 
manufacturers, the electricians and the installers.  In addition, CSA has 
conducted and continues to conduct additional testing of the product in its 
labs, simulating field conditions and abnormal situations. So far, CSA has not 
been able to duplicate the failures. 

CSA will continue its research of the whole system to determine the root cause 
of the problem.  Towards this end, CSA will use research data from all 
available sources and will contract the services of an independent engineering 
or research firm to assist in this endeavour. 


Canada's first standard on Radiant Space Heating Systems was published in 
1985, underwent a full revision in 1989 and is now a National Standard of 
Canada that reflects the latest technology at the time.  Standards are dynamic 
documents that are continually reviewed and updated under the consensus 
process.  

Accordingly, the committee for radiant ceiling panels recently held meetings 
to look at all the variables in the system and made a number of proposed 
changes to the standard that entail a systems approach to resolving the 
issues.  The committee also made recommendations for changes to the Canadian 
Electrical Code and the National Building Code. 

In British Columbia and Qubec, homeowners having flexible radiant ceiling 
heating panels affected by the disconnect notices or moratoriums in their 
province, are urged to follow the directions given by the regulatory 
authorities. 

For further information, media calls should be directed to: 

Conrad Tucker                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                              
Jean-Yves Paquin Media Relations Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Audits & Investigations Rexdale (Toronto), ON                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Pointe-Claire (Montral), PQ Tel:  (416) 747-2456                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Tel:  (514) 428-2415 Fax:  (416) 747-4292                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Fax:  (514) 428-2422       

Bill Simpson Quality Assurance Manager Richmond (Vancouver), BC
Tel:  (604)273-4581 Fax:  (604) 273-5815
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