Fires in bathroom heat, fan and light units

Fires in bathroom heat, fan and light units

It’s that time of year when people turn on their bathroom’s heater, fan and light unit without even giving it a second thought that it might be the potential source of a fire.

The New Zealand Fire Service would like to remind people to check if their bathroom’s heat, fan and light unit is correctly installed and cleaned.

The number of fires still occurring in these units is of concern with the likelihood of 10 – 15 fires in the next year. Research indicators also suggest this number will continue to increase over the next couple of years in older units if they have not been modified as recommended by the industry and Electrical Safety Services

The industry has been very responsible with Australian company IXL Pty Limited and Auckland based HPM NZ Ltd issuing a safety warning as well as providing advice on how existing units needed to be modified to operate safely.

Principally the units need to be modified so that the fan extract function turns on automatically when the heat lamps are turned on.

The Fire Service also reminds people of the need to ensure fan units are kept clean by regularly removing the dust and lint that builds up around the fan blades, motor unit and in the ducting where fitted through normal operation.

If people have concerns over their bathroom’s heat, fan and light unit they should contact their electrician and/or seek the advice of the unit’s manufacturer/supplier.

The cleaning of bathroom and other extractor fan units in a home can be combined with the regular cleaning and testing of smoke alarms installed in the home.

ENDS

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