A single word in Connecticut’s building code may be putting lives at risk.

Right now, the rules governing how furnaces and water heaters are vented allow installers to follow manufacturer instructions or use a certified safety standard. That small word — “or” — has created a loophole permitting the use of cheap plastic piping never designed to carry dangerous exhaust gases.

A proposed code change would fix this with one clear requirement: venting materials must be tested and certified specifically for combustion gases. This is not a technical debate. It is a public safety issue.

The hidden risk in our homes

Modern high-efficiency heating systems save energy and lower utility bills. But they produce exhaust that must be safely carried out of the home. For years, many installers have used standard PVC pipe — the same material used for drain lines — to do that job.

Here’s the problem: PVC was never designed or tested for this purpose. The standards governing PVC pipe explicitly state they are not intended for venting combustion gases. Pipe manufacturers won’t recommend or warranty this use.

When these systems fail, the results can be fatal. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and deadly. According to the CDC, more than 400 Americans die annually from unintentional CO poisoning, over 100,000 visit emergency rooms, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized. More than half of those deaths occur in the home. The CPSC reports that 84% of consumer-product CO deaths happen between September and April — exactly when Connecticut furnaces are running hardest.

Failures can happen inside walls or ceilings, invisible until someone gets sick or worse.

Why this hasn’t been fixed

If the risk is real, why has it been allowed to continue? Because safer materials cost more. If one manufacturer requires better venting, their systems become more expensive to install. In a competitive market, that’s a disadvantage — so everyone sticks with the cheaper option.

This is exactly where building codes come in. When the rule applies equally to everyone, safety improves without penalizing any one company.

Others have already acted

Connecticut would not be the first to address this. Massachusetts state regulations explicitly restrict plastic venting to only CPVC, polypropylene, and materials specifically product-accepted for combustion gas exhaust. Standard PVC does not qualify. Canada made similar changes after documented failures. The market adjusted. Installations became safer.

The window is now

The 2026 Connecticut State Building Code is expected to take effect in mid-2026, following a review process that began in January 2024. That process is now in its final stages. The Connecticut General Assembly approves the codes and sets implementation dates — meaning lawmakers will soon decide what’s included. Once finalized, the code governs construction across the state for years.

The window to fix this problem is now.

A common-sense standard

The proposed solution is simple: require any plastic venting material to be certified to a standard specifically designed for exhaust gases. That standard already exists. It tests materials under real-world conditions — heat, moisture, chemical exposure — to ensure they hold up over time. Standard plumbing pipe is not tested this way. When we’re talking about systems carrying a deadly gas through the walls of a home, that distinction matters.

What you can do

This decision rests with the people we elect and appoint. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 29-252, the State Building Inspector and the Codes and Standards Committee oversee adoption — but the General Assembly holds final authority.

Contact your State Senator and State Representative at cga.ct.gov and ask them to ensure the 2026 code requires venting materials to be certified for combustion gas exhaust. You can also reach the Office of the State Building Inspector directly at portal.ct.gov/das. A short, direct message carries real weight at this stage of the process.

The bottom line

This is not about overregulation or unnecessary cost. It is about ensuring that materials used in life-safety applications are actually designed for that purpose.

Connecticut has a narrow opportunity to close a known gap, align with neighboring states, and prevent avoidable tragedies.

A single word created this problem. Fixing it could save lives.

Peter Winslow works for the Walter Morris Company in Agawam, MA.