Household Gas Appliance Safety - Media Statement
[ Last Updated 7 June 2007 ]
"Gas appliances are safe – when installed, used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions," says Tony Leverton, Group Manager of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Energy Safety Service. His statement follows yesterday’s screening of the TV3 20/20 programme, Silent Killer that highlighted the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from incorrectly installed and poorly maintained gas appliances.
Over the past ten years in New Zealand, one reticulated gas fatality and two LPG fatalities, in a house or caravan as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, were reported. They were the result of incorrect installation, poor maintenance or inadequate ventilation. In the UK during this same period, about 260 fatalities were reported. Comparable to user populations, New Zealand has around one quarter the number of reported fatalities as the UK.
The Energy Safety Service is the government agency that is responsible for promoting the safety of people and property from the dangers of gas and electricity. It does this by working with industry and consumers to ensure safe appliances and their safe use.
Since its founding in December 1999, the Energy Safety Service has undertaken several information programmes to help raise public awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr Leverton states "We have also worked with industry on public information campaigns about gas safety. In the past three years, a total of 600,000 pamphlets and 400,000 posters on gas safety, including messages about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, have been widely distributed. More than one million swing tags with LPG cabinet heater safety messages were sent out through service stations and service agents to be attached when filling LPG cylinders."
"New gas appliance and installation Standards have also been released to better assist licensed workers in meeting safety requirements."
The 20/20 item raised questions about the safety of LPG cabinet heaters, as they cannot be used in Australia. Mr Leverton says, "LPG cabinet heaters are approved for use in the UK and Europe. Cabinet heaters have never been allowed into Australia. The Australian position relates to regulations against having an LPG cylinder inside, rather than carbon monoxide danger. In fact, the maximum limit for carbon monoxide emissions for new gas appliances is the same for both Australia and New Zealand. There have been no reported fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with cabinet heaters in New Zealand."
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