Energy Safe Victoria has raised safety alerts on four open flued gas log space heaters.
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All four models failed safety tests.
Those tests were brought about after the blanket testing of open flued gas space heaters, prompted by a fatality connected to a Vulcan Heritage open flued gas space heater, and a subsequent Victorian coronial inquest.
The four models subject to the latest safety alert can be made safe with a technical fix.
Households with the heaters will be able to register and have a qualified gas fitter modify and test their heater.
Where there are no other issues affecting performance, the technical fix will make the heater safe to use and the responsible supplier will meet the costs.
However, should there be issues with the heater as a result of poor maintenance, or anything not related to the technical fix, the owner will be responsible for the related repairs.
There may be circumstances where the heater has to be isolated due to spillage of carbon monoxide or other dangerous exhaust gases.
The Safety Alert includes:
• Regency i31 supplied by Fireplace Products Australia Pty Ltd,
• Regency F38 and FG38 supplied by Fireplace Products Australia Pty Ltd. The F38/FG38 was also
branded and supplied by Masport prior to 2006 (excludes LP units),
• Nectre 2000 (manufactured from 2007) supplied by Glen Dimplex Australia Pty Ltd; and
• Real Flame Pyrotech (manufactured from 2012) also supplied by Glen Dimplex Australia Pty Ltd.
People with the Regency I31, F38/FG38 or Masport F38/FG38 should contact Fireplace Products Australia on safety@regency-fire.com.au or phone 1800 860 660.
Anyone with the Real Flame Pyrotech or the Nectre 2000 should contact Glen Dimplex Australia on productservice@realflame.com.au or phone 1300 014 389.
Energy Safety director Paul Fearon said that gas heating was still an efficient way of heating homes but people had to ensure that all gas appliances were serviced at least once every two years.
“The operation of open flued space heaters is problematic with the current practice of better sealing homes for energy efficiency,” he said.
“Ultimately open flued space heaters need to be phased out in favour of other alternatives, such as room sealed gas space heaters or split systems. But until that can happen, people need to understand how to manage their open flued gas space heaters.
"This starts with ensuring that they are serviced by a qualified gas fitter at least once every two years,” he said.
For more information visit www.esv.vic.gov.au or visit Facebook page /EnergySafeVictoria
