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Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 871
Location: Farnborough, UK
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 Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject: Immersion heater safety caution... (Potential safety issue) |
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Hail All! 
Just thought I'd pass on the following letter that I just received from my housing association concerning a possible safety issue with older immersion heaters. The fault in question has already caused one infant death, and could lead to possible flooding of homes at least (See info after quote for more.) if not more serious matters. 
It might not seem like much for many people to bother about, but I thought it would be a good idea to pass on the info anyhow, as there is no harm in doing so.
| Sentinel Housing Association wrote: | Dear Sir/Madam
RE: Electric Immersion Heater Thermostat Risk
The safety of all our residents is important to us here at Sentinel, and we think it's important you are aware of a recent incident.
You may have become aware through the media of the tragic death of a baby in Somerset, after an electric immersion heater thermostat failed, which heated up the cold water tank, which in turn burst and subsequently scalded the infant, who was in the room below.
Although this is an extremely rare occurrance we are aware that some of you may be worried that something similar could happen in your home.
We can reassure you that we are taking steps to ensure that this kind of thermostat failure does not occur within any of our properties, and are reviewing thermostats which may pose a risk.
In the meantime, there are a number of warning signs that could indicate that an electric immersion heater thermostat isn't working properly. These are: - Excessively hot water coming out of the hot water taps;
- Excessive noise or 'bubbling' from the hot water cylinder;
- Hot water coming out of certain cold taps (Some storage cisterns also feed cold water taps in the bathroom);
- Steam/moisture in the roof space.
If you notice any of the above symptoms then you should switch off the immersion heater system, and immediateley contact our Customer Services Centre on 0800 xxx xxxx, so we can come out and check your hot water system.
If your system has been replaced since April 2004, the type of immersion fitted has an automatic cut-off fitted if the temperature gets too high, so you should not experience any of the signs above.
Please contact us if you feel you need more advice, or have any concerns regarding this issue on the above number.
Yours faithfully
[Signed]
Howard Beresford
Planned Maintenance & Asset Manager |
The main reason that I'm posting this here is just to disseminate this information to people who may find it informative and helpful.
Some slightly technical, but more informative/in-depth info:
Thinking back to when I lived in Aldershot a few years ago, the building that I was living in was fitted with "Kernal" water systems - A centralised plumbing system, with hot/cold tanks and control gear all in a 3x3x6ft "cage". These had a plastic cold water tank mounted above the usual copper hot water tank, and I would lay a bet that it was one of these systems that was involved in the above quoted incident, given how the details match up! 
Normally it is rather unusual to have a hot water tank located in close proximity to the cold water one where the two can be placed seperately, or at least I believe that is the case. The exception with Kernal systems is that they use the weight of the water in the higher cold tank to provide extra pressure for the hot water circuit, and to keep the hot system full of water to prevent the boiler from "burning dry". It doesn't help that the overflow/steam outlet from the hot tank flows directly back into the cold tank, either! 
Of course, it depends if your house/flat uses a "kernalised" system or not...But given both the time and space saved through their use, I would imagine they are highly popular with construction firms, and ye could probabally find them in most post 1985CE buildings nowadays. Either way, they're normally as safe as houses, but my advice is that if thy immersion heaters were manufactured/fitted before 2005CE, then ye'd be wise to have them exchanged for ones that meet current IEE standards.
As for I: I live in a building that was built around 1982CE or thereabouts (I can't say for sure) and my immersions may be a bit on the ancient side...I can't tell. 
Mind ye - As I have an instantaneous heating shower, do all of my washing up using what hot water is left in the kettle, and do all of my laundary down the local laundarette - I never need to heat up any water in the boiler anyway, so I'm definateley safe...And ye ought to see how much I save on my electricity bill as a result!  
Farewell...And stay safe!
>> Colin B << |
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