WorkSafe widens ban on Serene heaters linked to fires
Wednesday, 17 April 2024
Testing found two models of Serene wall mounted heater did not meet safety standards.
The S207T and S2069 models are the latest in a string of Serene heaters to be banned or recalled.
An industry expert says authorities have been too slow to act over safety concerns first raised in 2017.
WorkSafe has widened a ban on Serene wall mounted heaters, which don’t meet safety standards and have been linked to a spate of fires.
The ban now applies to Serene S207T heaters imported, sold, or installed since January 2018, and S2069 models imported, sold, or installed since June 2018.
Testing found neither model met safety standards and a reported fire associated with an S2069 heater was being investigated, WorkSafe said on Wednesday.
The two models are the latest in a string of Serene heaters to be banned or recalled.
The S2068 model was banned in February and a voluntary recall was announced last month after it was linked to more than a dozen fires and overheating events.
Some S1088 and S1077 models were also recalled in 2007 due to a problem with the fan which could cause the heater to catch fire.
Simon Gallagher, national manager of consumer services at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said the ministry was working with Energy Safety and retailers to discuss what they can do to ensure the safety of their customers.
As part of that work, MBIE was encouraging retailers to undertake a voluntary recall.
However, an industry expert said authorities had been too slow to act on issues with the heaters, first raised several years ago.
Justin Sollitt, director of Genco Energy Group, said his company completed safety audits on Serene heaters and reported “acute safety issues and fire incidents” to the company in 2016 and 2017.
“Because of Serene’s inaction, we raised the same concerns with Worksafe in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021,” he said.
“This required enforcement action is not something that has come to light with [Worksafe] only in the last few months.”
A WorkSafe spokesperson said Sollitt’s concerns were different to those which led to the banning of the S2068 heater.
The first failure of an S2068 was reported to Energy Safety in June 2021, and had been investigated as an isolated incident.
Once a pattern of similar incidents emerged, Energy Safety opened a wider investigation in May 2022, he said.
“This investigation took time as it was technically complex and comprehensive.”
WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team had audited all of the Serene appliances Sollitt had raised concerns about to ensure they had appropriate testing and certification.
“We took action in response to one bathroom mirror, which Serene could not provide compliance documentation for,” he said.
Regarding the banned wall heaters, Gallagher said the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) guaranteed products must be of acceptable quality, including safe to use and fit for purpose.
“Where a product is not of acceptable quality, you have the right to a refund, repair, or replacement,” he said.
“MBIE recommends that consumers who have the S2068 contact the business they purchased it from to arrange for its return under the CGA. Consumers who have the S2069 or S207T and are concerned may also wish to contact the supplier to seek a remedy under the CGA.”
Full details of the banned models can be found on the Worksafe website.