is it important to replace a gravity (octopus) furnace for safety?

[Dan C.]

BP furnace experts - do you consider it important to replace a gravity furnace (often referred to as an "octopus") for safety reasons?

A duplex I've had for eight years has one of these. I do make certain to have a furnace company inspect and tune it up every fall.

I talked to the owner of the HVAC company I use and asked him what he thought of it. He said that these types of furnaces, while they last a long time, when they do fail, the can fail spectacularly. He also mentioned they don't have the modern safety features.