Regulator warns of dangers of refurbished geysers

If not properly tested, they could result in injury and damage

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications confiscated hundreds of acid-washed refurbished domestic geysers in Pinetown, KZN.
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications confiscated hundreds of acid-washed refurbished domestic geysers in Pinetown, KZN.
Image: SUPPLIED

The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has warned of  the sale of noncompliant geysers following the discovery of hundreds of refurbished domestic geysers at a workshop in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal.

The  regulator says  it has confiscated the revamped geysers because they have not been subjected to full safety tests.

NRCS head of communication Mirriam Moswaane said they received numerous tip-offs about the workshop  and confiscated some refurbished geysers. They then issued directives preventing the sale and advertising of the geysers.

“We will continue to name and shame those who choose to put the lives of the public at risk by selling them geysers that don’t comply with the rules, and in some cases we will invite the law enforcement agencies to carry their mandate. We also warn all industry players, contractors and insurance companies not to manufacture, sell or use non-compliant second-hand domestic geysers,” she said.

Moswaane  has encouraged members of the public to ask for authority letters from retail outlets selling refurbished geysers.

“It is difficult to  identify a refurbished geyser, however we encourage and plead with consumers to demand a letter of authorisation that comes from us [NRCR] before buying the geyser. These refurbished geysers pose a high risk because we have discovered that they don’t comply with VC 9006, Compulsory Specifications for water storage tanks and do not have a letter to be traded in SA,” she pleaded.

She added that enforcing  specified standards is part of the NRCS’s mandate of protecting human health, safety, the environment and ensuring fair trade as well as rooting out non-compliant products in the market.

According to Moswaane refurbished domestic geysers can result in severe damage not only to houses but also to human life. They could result in explosions, acid exposure and significantly higher electricity bills.


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