Original message
| printreader
 |  "isn't it scary"
, posted Tue 7 Sep 23:43  
hypothetical
I gave online advice to john smith of phoenix arizona. john smith listened and then opened the 12 yr old rheem furnace in his hall to fix the wiring that caused his a/c not to work. he then
A. burnt himself on the pilot light
B. shocked himself on the fan control relay
C. loosened the pilot tubing and caused a slow leak of natural gas
D. actuall removed the fan control relay and found the 230 vac they use in Phoenix, his wife will miss him
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE.
i fix therefore i am.
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Replies:
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| ExtremeAC
| "Re(1):isn't it scary" , posted Tue 13 Feb 21:31
Read the " Disclaimer" on the home page...
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| BassetHeating
| "Re(1):isn't it scary" , posted Sun 12 Feb 13:36
Mike
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| fireweaver67
| "Re(1):isn't it scary" , posted Sun 2 Oct 23:09
That is very scary. I don't know how it works in the States, but in Canada, you tell someone who to do something, you've just assumed supervisory command and if that person screws up T.S.S.A will be seeing you soon. We are forbidden, word used loosely, to tell anyone that is not a gasfitter how to do any work on there furnace/A/C unit at all!!!
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| Mechanical Mind
| "Re(1):isn't it scary" , posted Sat 6 Nov 17:14
You are right. That is scary. What is even scarier to me, is wondering if someone could be sued simply for offering advice?
Hmmm...
* You can visit me at http://www.mechanicalminds.net *
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| | thekenbrothers
| "Re(2):isn't it scary" , posted Wed 18 May 21:36
kinda strange cause i was thinking about that today.maybe a person who is giving advice can have a clause in thier post saying thier not responsible for thier actions
Ken
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| | doityourselfer1
| "Re(3):isn't it scary" , posted Thu 16 Feb 19:41
People worry too much. What happen to helping out your fellow man. Besides how do they even know who you are. And even if they court order this web site to tell them who you are, they still have to prove that you typed in the message. So its highly unlikely that they could ever prove it was you. Most of my experience in mechanical work is from the knowledge of co-workers and friends.
save money do it yourself
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| | Furnace Pro
| "Re(4):isn't it scary" , posted Sat 18 Nov 19:06
It is very true. This board provides a medium for people who just need some simple advice to ask their questions and get some answers. There is a fine line between offering advice and providing someone with enough information to hurt themselves. I have read a lot of these threads and find that for the most part, many on here will provide advice and close with "call a professional". That is about all you can do I think. There is always a nut out there where ever you go that will pull a HUA (head up ass) move and then try to blame someone for thier stupidity. As an HVAC manager, I am trained in first aid/CPR and qualified as a first responder.... it's no different in that area, you must first get permission from the victim before doing anything. Only after they have lost consciousness can you make an attempt to save their life without fear of repercussions or lawsuits.
I have received some great info on this site and really enjoy posting and reading here. You can never learn all there is to know. So, please keep on keepin' on, but it would be a good idea to put a little ditty about calling a professional if you feel it is necessary or you are offering instruction where someone could get hurt.
Just my thoughts
Its only a problem if you can't fix it.
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| | 17bigfoot
| "Re(5):isn't it scary" , posted Fri 22 Dec 14:05
The day we are afraid to help each other by offering advice will be the last straw. We can't let frivolous or rumours of frivolous lawsuits stop us from caring. I won't be intimidated. Get yee behind me satan! ha!
BBIIGGfoot
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| | hvaclogic
| "Re(6):isn't it scary" , posted Sun 21 Jan 19:09
I think you can generally tell from the form of the question seeking advise just how much info you can give before you simply tell them to get a pro. We should always strive to help and educate those seeking knowledge. When a home owner is better informed they tend to make our job a little easier since they know how much on going education we put ourselves thru to stay current on our industry. Just keep in mind that what we think are simple troubleshooting techniques could potentially cuase harm or serious injury to a DIY. I for one would find it difficult to sleep at night knowing my advise caused someone their life or home.
Don't swap parts use your meter!
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| | hvacts
| "Re(7):isn't it scary" , posted Mon 22 Jan 10:11
hi, i am new to this site and this fourm, i've been a tech for 27 yrs and am presently N.A.T.E certified for residential hvac service and install. i would really like to help those in need but i.am trying to get a handle on what you are saying. should we or should we "not" help this people?
i do agree that you can tell by the questions they ask if they should just be told they should call a pro , how about the ones that show signs of having some common sense?
thanks for allowing me to input....
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| | kimmy
| "Re(8):isn't it scary" , posted Sat 3 Feb 22:32
For too many years the HVAC trade was a hoodoo trade.
I live in the boondocks and all parts take a few days to deliver.
I will do anything in my power to get the heat up and running, except putting peoples lives in danger.
TSSA has too much power and they don't understand the need for honest and safe needs that have to be applied to keep people warm.
They only understand the big cities. They only understand the big corporations that tell them what to do.
We have to do anything we can (with safety in mind) to keep people warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
30+ years in the HVAC/R trade.
Started when equipment was repaired not replaced.
Still feel the same way.
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| | northernfitter
| "Re(9):isn't it scary" , posted Sat 5 Jan 14:33
I have dealt a fair bit with the TSSA lately mostly on calls where customers called me in after getting screwed over by under the table hacks with no contractors licenses. Quite frankly I too work small towns and if you explain it properly and there is nothing you can do short of bypassing safeties or leaving unsafe conditions then the furnace stays off. The TSSA is not going to step in and slap you unless you are doing one of those things. Quite frankly I dont think the TSSA has enough power and I think a lot of dangerous situations are popping up now because of it.
12years as a service tech in Ottawa and the valley. Just left Direct Energy to start my own company. Go to www.reliableheating.ca or email me at adrian@reliableheating.ca
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