Health and Safety Executive
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HSE safety alert: Explosion risk from redundant domestic back boilers
The Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) has today issued a safety alert
aimed
at homeowners, tenants, landlords and heating
professionals
following five incidents in the last five years
where redundant solid
fuel back boilers exploded. A number of
these incidents led to injury
and sadly in one case a fatality.
The risk can arise when a disused boiler has been left at the
back of a
fireplace and a coal or wood fire is lit in front of
it. This can mean
the boiler heats up causing the boiler
casing to explode. If you have a
redundant back boiler you
should not light an open fire in front of it.
Information in the alert should help you identify whether you
have this
potential risk in your property / housing stock and
what steps you
should take. If you are unsure if you have a
back boiler behind your
fireplace you should seek further
advice from your landlord or a
competent professional such as
a plumber or heating engineer.
For practical and technical advice you can contact the Solid Fuel Association helpline on 0845 6014406 http://www.solidfuel.co.uk http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/or HETAS, the body recognised for official testing and approval of domestic solid fuel burning appliances at http://www.hetas.co.uk <http://www.hetas.co.uk/
The alert is on the HSE website at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/localgovernment/alert.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/localgovernment/alert.htm
Notes to editors
1. Over the last 5 years HSE is aware of several incidents regarding exploding back boilers. On 11 November 2007 a woman died after an incident in Twyning, Gloucestershire. An HSE investigation is currently ongoing and no further details can be given at this time
HSE is aware of four other incidents. These occurred in Lincolnshire, South Wales and two in Nottinghamshire.
2. HSE is sending a letter to local authorities to ensure they
are aware
of the alert. At the same time they are being
reminded of the Safety
Alert on scalding risks from domestic
hot water systems issued in July
2007 http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/localgovernment/hotwatersystems.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/localgovernment/hotwatersystems.htm
Public enquiries
HSE's InfoLine 0845
3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG
HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet http://www.hse.gov.uk/ http://www.hse.gov.uk
Ends
