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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
Winter 2015
energysafe issue 40
Cannon Fitzroy and Canterbury
brands gas heater warning
By Enzo Alfonsetti, Manager
Type A Gas Appliance Safety
ESV has been investigating reports of
carbon monoxide spillage from Cannon
Fitzroy and Canterbury inbuilt space
heaters certified under AGA no. 6118 and
manufactured between 20 March 2001
and 8 October 2009.
Independent testing in a NATA accredited
test laboratory of heaters taken from customers’
homes determined that in some cases the level
of carbon monoxide measured at the appliance’s
primary flue exceeded the limit allowed in
Australian standard AS4553: Gas space
heating appliances.
It was determined that the positioning of the
ceramic log set relative to the appliance burner
was critical and that any misalignment of the
log set relative to the appliance burner could
result in the production of unacceptable levels
of carbon monoxide.
The current manufacturer, Sampford IXL,
and previous manufacturer, Sampford & Staff,
both state in their installation instructions that
any opening in the appliance fan chamber for
the entry of gas supply piping should be sealed
with fibreglass insulation to prevent any leakage
of combustion products between the fan
chamber and the chimney.
However, ESV has noted that in a number of
installations openings for gas supply piping have
not been sealed by gasfitters. Subsequently the
appliance room air fan can draw in combustion
products from the chimney, resulting in carbon
monoxide being discharged into the home. In
cases as described above where the appliance
produces unacceptable levels of carbon
monoxide this can lead to an unsafe condition.
Additionally, in very cold weather conditions
such as those experienced in Melbourne
this winter, some of these appliances have
been found to spill carbon monoxide from the
appliance draught diverter.
Notwithstanding the above, laboratory
testing has indicated that even where
appliances complied with the emission
requirements in a laboratory environment,
the appliances can produce unacceptable
levels of carbon monoxide when subjected to
downdraught conditions.
The downdraught conditions typically occur
on windy days or where there is a negative
pressure in the home as a result of insufficient
ventilation coupled with the operation of
bathroom exhaust fans or kitchen rangehoods.
Hence an unsafe condition could exist where
there are downdraughts or a sustained negative
pressure environment within the home.
ESV is currently no ]