Safety warning issued over Weiss heat transfer units

A safety warning has been issued to homeowners using Weiss heat transfer units over fears they could catch fire.

Some models of the units are believed to contain a fault, and at least three have caught fire, WorkSafe New Zealand said.

A prohibition notice has been issued, warning customers who bought the units to immediately turn them off. A ban on their use and sale officially starts on Friday, June 20.

The Weiss units -- which operate in ceiling spaces and move air through ducts to heat houses -- were known to be sold in Mitre 10, but other shops may also have stocked them, WorkSafe NZ said.

A voluntary recall was announced by the manufacturer on products produced before 2010.

"Energy Safety is pleased that the manufacturer has recognised the possible safety issues around these units and voluntarily recalled some of them," said Mark Wogan, manager of Energy Safety, a department of WorkSafe NZ.

"Energy Safety's prohibition on sale and use is extended through to the 2012 production year as a precaution to ensure that the manufacturer's view that the issues were fixed at the 2010 production year can be substantiated by further investigation.

"There have been three recent instances of these units catching fire, and we are aware of a number of other incidents with them which we are in the process of investigating."

He urged customers who suspected they owned one of the units to immediately turn it off and seek advice from the manufacturer or a registered electrician, and not wait until the formal date of June 20, which is for administrative reasons.

"It is up to the manufacturer to determine how it will deal with consumers who have purchased these units," said Mr Wogan.

"The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the units it sells are safe for consumers to use, and until we are satisfied that this is the case, the prohibition on use and sale will remain in force."

* Energy Safety recommends that as with any electrical device, if consumers smell smoke or see fire they should immediately shut down the equipment and call the Fire Service.

The safety warning relates to Weiss Heat Transfer Units:

• FV 602
• FV 603
• FV 652
• FV 653

- which were produced prior to May 2012.

• If you have one of these units immediately turn it off and seek advice from the manufacturer on 0800 208 008, or a registered electrician.