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Safety reminder on use of flueless gas water heaters

• The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (Monday) reminded owners of older models of gas water heaters to ensure sufficient ventilation when using such appliances.
• "In any event, these appliances should not be used continuously for more than five minutes," a spokesman for the department said.
• The reminder was issued in the face of the current cold spell when temperature is forecast to drop further during this week.
• The spokesman advised residents that despite low air temperatures, owners of flueless gas water heaters must keep their windows wide open to ensure that combustion products do not build up inside the room when taking a shower with hot water supplied from a flueless gas heater.
• "It is essential that customers arrange with their gas suppliers, or contractors, to have these old models checked regularly by a qualified or registered gas installer," he added.
• Earlier last month, the Government announced that new regulations to control the use and sale of flueless gas water heaters would come into effect next year.



• The effect of the new regulations is to prohibit:

* as from April 1, 2000,

• the sale or supply of flueless gas water heaters for use in Hong Kong,
• the new installation of flueless gas water heaters and
• the replacement of flueless gas water heaters by another flueless model; and

* as from July 1, 2000,

• The spokesman noted that the prohibition on the use of flueless gas water heaters to serve a bathroom or shower would affect up to about 20 000 households.
• "New installations have been prohibited since April 1991, when the Gas Safety Ordinance came into effect, but it has now been decided, on the advice of the Gas Safety Advisory Committee, to prohibit older installations too, as they present a continuing safety risk," he said.
• "The new regulations give owners of flueless gas water heaters serving bathrooms or showers until June 30, 2000 to disconnect their installations permanently," he explained.
• The spokesman advised owners of flueless gas water heaters serving bathrooms or showers should take the following actions : -
• They should contact their gas supply companies well before the final deadline of June 30, 2000 to make arrangements for disconnection of the heater and, if desired, its replacement with a safer model. It is of paramount importance that installation should be done by a registered gas installer.
• While awaiting replacement of their flueless heaters, they should pay particular attention to safety warnings on the need for sufficient ventilation at all times when operating the appliances.
• They should make full use of the regular safety inspections offered by their gas suppliers.


• The spokesman warned that from July 1, 2000, anyone who uses a flueless gas water heater to serve a bathroom or shower will be committing an offence which carries a fine of $5,000. He emphasised that the new regulations did not affect existing flueless gas water heaters serving kitchens. However, the new regulations prohibit the installation of flueless gas water heaters in kitchens as from April 1, 2000. The contact numbers of gas supply companies are:

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