Radiant ceiling heat suspected fire hazard (long)

[Matt Elrod]

I built a log house during 1991-93 and have radiant heating panels suspected
of being a fire hazard. Fortunately I also installed a wood stove capable
of heating my home.

Some suspect that the panels in question cause gyproc to calcine,
gradually raising the R value of the gyproc, forcing the panels
to work harder and eventually fail. This would make sense as
gyproc calcines (turns to dust) if heated to more than about 51 c.
I understand the panels in question have a surface temp of about 80 c.

The following notice was issued in British Columbia, Canada,
but may be of interest to home owners/builders in general.

>MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
>RELEASED: NOV. 18, 1994
>CONTACT: RICHARD PATTERSON
>387-4089
>FILE: MA 94-143

>PROVINCE ORDERS ALL FLEXWATT PANELS DISCONNECTED

>VICTORIA ~ A disconnect order covering all models of Flexwatt
>radiant ceiling heating panels was issued today by B.C.'s chief
>electrical inspector Roy Broderick. This follows a recall notice from
>the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Flexwatt
>Corporation stating Flexwatt ceiling heating panels may overheat
>and pose a fire hazard.

> "In the interest of public safety and after careful
>consideration of all available technical information, I am issuing this
>disconnect order to cover all Flexwatt panels," said Broderick.
>"Home and apartment residents and building owners in B.C. who
>have Flexwatt panels must disconnect these potentially dangerous
>products immediately."

> If owners are unsure of their brand of panel, they should
>contact the building or electrical contractor who installed their
>radiant ceiling heating panel system. Residents who do not know
>which contractor installed their system can contact their local
>municipal hall ~ contractors may be recorded in the building
>inspections department.

> Residents may visually inspect the panels only if it is safe and
>reasonable to do so, checking the panel labels to identify whether
>they have panels by Flexwatt. The disconnection must be done by a
>qualified electrician.

> This disconnect order by B.C.'s chief electrical inspector is
>the result of new information being provided by CSA and follows a
>September 1994 CSA recall of specific Flexwatt production models
>and a subsequent disconnect order by the province. Also, the
>province issued a disconnect order in February 1994, for all Aztec-
>Flexel and Thermaflex ceiling heating panels rated 22 watts/ft2, and
>prohibited the installation of all ceiling heating panels rated over 18
>watts/ft2 in March 1994.

> The Electrical Safety Branch of the Ministry of Municipal
>Affairs continues to provide information to CSA to assist it in an
>overall investigation of radiant ceiling heating panel technology.

> The ceiling heating panels subject to today's disconnect order
>have been recalled by Flexwatt Corporation, the manufacturer, and
>CSA, the agency which certified their use in Canada. Any questions
>about the product, its testing and subsequent certification, and the
>recall should be directed to CSA or the manufacturer.

> The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of
>Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services have established a
>telephone line to provide information to the public. In Victoria, call
>387-4313 and province-wide, call 1-800-407-7757.

> Those consumers who wish to speak directly to the
>manufacturer or Canadian Standards Association should call:

>George Shad
>Bill Simpson Province of B.C.
>Flexwatt Corporation CSA
>Information Line
>(508) 291-2000 (604) 273-4581
>Victoria: 387-4313
>(West Wareham, MA) (Richmond)
>Province-wide: 1-800-407-7757
>(24hr, toll-free)

The CSA seems to be blaming the Electrical Safety Branch, who blame
the manufacturers, who blame the installers, who blame the CSA ...

Many unfortunate panel owners have already torn down their ceilings
and have installed alternate heating systems at their own expense.

Has anyone outside of Canada heard of this? Any thoughts?

TIA - Matthew Elrod.