|
|
| 1.
|
Substandard
Flueless Gas Water Heater Installations |
| |
|
| |
Flueless
gas water heaters serving bathrooms or showers are considered
dangerous because they consume the air inside the room and the
products of combustion containing toxic carbon monoxide discharge
directly into the room where the heater is situated, and may
build up to dangerous levels if ventilation is inadequate. |
| |
|
|
 |
| 2. |
Prohibit
Use of Flueless Gas Water Heaters Supplying Bathroom or Shower |
| |
|
| |
In order to eliminate
dangers from improper use of flueless gas water heaters, LEGCO passed
an Amendment of the Gas Safety Regulations in November 1999, which
prohibits the use of a flueless gas water heater to serve a bathroom
or shower.
The Amendment will come into effect on 1 April 2000. In addition,
the new law also prohibits anyone from supplying or installing a new
flueless gas water heater or replacing an existing flueless gas water
heater by another flueless model. |
| |
|
| 3.
|
Details
of Amendment to Gas Safety Regulations |
| |
|
| |
The Amendment
is basically divided into two parts. Firstly, the amendment
of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations states
that from 1 July 2000 no person shall use a flueless
gas water heater to serve a bathroom or shower. |
| |
|
|
 |
| The responsible person for the premises in which the
heater is installed shall, not later than 30 June 2000, cause
the supply of gas to the heater to be permanently disconnected.
Secondly, the Amendment of the Gas Safety (Miscellaneous) Regulations
states that no person shall knowingly sell or offer for sale any
flueless gas water heater for use in Hong Kong. This amendment means
that no person is allowed to supply a flueless gas water heater
for any purpose from 1 April 2000.
|
| |
| 4.
|
Penalty
of Non-Compliance with New Regulations |
| |
|
| |
Any person
who contravenes the new regulations commits an offence and shall
be liable to prosecution and subject to a maximum fine of $10,000
upon conviction. |
| |
|
|
 |
| 5.
|
Phasing
Out Existing Flueless Gas Water Heaters for Kitchen Use |
| |
|
| |
Only those
flueless gas water heaters (sink heaters) already installed
before 1 April 2000 for supplying kitchen sinks for washing
purpose are permitted to be used. However, strict compliance
to the manufacturer's instruction and warning label are required.
These include the provision of adequate ventilation during use
and the duration of usage should not exceed five minutes. |
| |
|
|
 |
| This type of appliance must not be installed in an
air-conditioned room. The HKSAR Government's intention is that
the present flueless water heaters for kitchen washing purposes (sink
type) will be phased out so that eventually no flueless gas water
heaters will be used in Hong Kong. |
| |
| 6.
|
Safe
Gas Water Heater Installations |
| |
|
| |
Room-sealed
(e.g. balanced-flue) gas water heaters are the first choice
for new and all replacement installations. It is because fresh
air for combustion products is taken from and discharged directly
to outside air (that is, sealed from the room), so the heater
will not consume or contaminate the air in the room.
Where a suitable flue aperture has been provided for the installation
of a room-sealed gas water heater to serve a bathroom, then
it is not permitted to install any other type of gas water heater
for that purpose. |
| |
|
|
 |
| Room-sealed heaters are available in different models
including fanned draught types, and can be installed easily in most
situations. |
| |
For further information,
please contact your gas supply company. You may also contact the Electrical
and Mechanical Services Department at
1823. |
| |
|
