Media Centre
18/08/09Warning about unsafe hot water systems
Hundreds of Queenslanders may be illegally installing potentially dangerous gas hot water systems being sold through internet auction sites.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said State Government Petroleum and Gas inspectors were concerned that more than 700 Queensland householders may have installed unapproved systems.
"My department has obtained information that a batch of imported gas hot water systems, which may not be safe to use, have been sold into Queensland through auction websites," Mr Robertson said.
"Unapproved appliances cannot be guaranteed as safe and it's understood around 700 of this type of potentially dangerous system have been purchased by Queenslanders on-line.
"Some cheap imported gas hot water systems are not built to appropriate Australian Standards.
"All gas appliances have to be approved by an approved certifying body before they are sold, installed or used and I'm advised these systems have not gone through this process.
"The certifying process checks the systems for any defects which can lead to flame failure, gas leaks and the potential for a serious explosion and personal injury."
An approved appliance is clearly marked with one of five badges from either the Chief Inspector or one of the four approved certifying bodies—the Australian Gas Association (AGA); the Queensland Gas Association (QGA), SAI Global Ltd or IAPMO R&T Oceana.
"We have contacted Queenslanders who may have purchased these systems and I urge them to respond to my department for advice," Mr Robertson said.
Unapproved appliances which have already been installed will need to be removed by a licensed gas fitter. After market modification and certification of the appliance can be undertaken by the Australian Gas Association (AGA) or the Queensland Gas Association (QGA) but this may prove impractical or uneconomic.
Purchasers should seek refund from the on line seller or if unsuccessful through consumer protection avenues.
Mr Robertson said his department had been alerted by licensed gas fitters concerned that householders were installing unapproved and sub-standard hot water heaters being sold from Sydney.
"I'm advised Petroleum and Gas inspectors have discovered that besides the many hundreds in Queensland there have been as many as 4000 sold Australia-wide.
"Many are being sold as being suitable for use in caravans, motor homes and fixed installations, stating they meet an ISO 9001 quality standard which has no relevance at all to the safety of a hot water system.
"This is extremely misleading information as that standard relates only to production management system requirements."
Mr Robertson said a Petroleum and Gas inspector had contacted a major online internet auction site, the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The sale of this particular product has been removed but others may continue to be advertised.
The department's Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate has safety inspectors based in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Woolloongabba.
For information on the nearest inspector telephone head office at: 07 3237 1626.
A list of all Safety and Health Inspectorate staff and their telephone numbers can also be found on the department's website at: www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/PG_contacts.cfm.
Further information about approved appliances badges can be found on the Petroleum and Gas website at:www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/approving_authorities_for_type_a_and_b_gas_devices.cfm.
Media contact: 07 3224 7332
Last Updated 03 November 2009
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