31 July 2024

NR24-003

Morco Products Ltd open flued LPG water heaters – critical safety upgrade alert

The BSS is supporting Morco, in its on-going campaign to find and fix potentially dangerous models of its LPG water heaters that may leak gas causing fires or explosions.

Following concerns that appliance test-point screws may not have been correctly tightened at the time of commissioning or servicing, Morco has issued a safety alert and is offering free upgrades for the affected models.

Morco’s concern is that un-rectified water heaters can potentially leak unburnt gas that could cause fires or explosions, that may result in burns and injuries.

What is the hazard?

Morco has identified a potential fire risk on their Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open flued water heaters. Gas leaking from an installation test-point could ignite and causing the plastic bezel and control knobs at the front of the water heater to catch fire and melt.

The models affected were sold between 2018 and 2023.

What to do if you think one of the water heaters may be installed on your boat.

Go to the Morco website to check if the appliance is one of the affected ones. It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide.

If confirmed as one needing an upgrade, then fill in a Safety Upgrade Form that will help Morco ratify the need to act and for them to organise an approved Gas Safe registered engineer to make the required safety upgrade to the water heater which will be free of charge.

Water heaters that have already had the safety upgrade should have a Morco branded yellow service notice sticker applied to the front face of the appliance including these words ‘Notice to commissioning engineer’ and a reference in the bottom left: Cod. 80000353 – ed.1

If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at gaswaterheaters@morcoproducts.co.uk. 

Morco stresses that if the LPG water heater is suspected to be leaking gas, the supply should be disconnected and Morco or a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer contacted straightaway.

The Boat Safety Scheme urges anyone with a Morco water heater to check their model and year against the very clear information on the Morco website and get in touch with Morco if they are at all unsure and need help.

If they spot one of the affected water heaters installed on a boat, we are asking BSS Examiners to have a conversation with their customers and ask whether it has had the free safety upgrade. If it hasn’t, the boat owner will be encouraged to get in contact with Morco.

The BSS has an information page on the Morco Safety Upgrade Campaign with additional information on how this matter may affect BSS Examinations for a boat with one of the affected water heaters installed www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe-advice/known-recalls-safety-alerts/

 

– ENDS –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Morco Products roots go back to a marine chandlery business founded over 200 years ago. And for the past seven decades it has been supplier of their own branded LPG heating and hot water solutions for over 70 years. (https://morcoproducts.co.uk/about-us/)

The BSS is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The 17 navigation authorities that have adopted the Scheme, use it to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft, typically under 24m. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crew safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances. The BSS is responsible for the administration and supervision of the BSS Examination processes.

A BSS Certification has a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require BSS Certification on a boat at the time of licensing, registration, toll renewal or similar. The Certification is achieved when a boat is found to be compliant with all the BSS Requirements relevant for that boat. These can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.org. The compliance check, BSS Examination, is carried out by authorised and independent practitioners known as BSS Examiners.

CONTACT

BSS.Enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

 

Hudson Foley Memorial Campaign for Carbon Monoxide Travel Safety

Cathy, Hudson’s mother and  Jordan, Hudson’s brother have appeared on BBC breakfast (31.07.24 at around 8.21). They brilliantly outlined Hudson’s life, his joys and his tragic avoidable death. Their aim is to let everyone know how to avoid this happening to anyone else.

Stephanie Boyle from the Safer Tourism Foundation also appeared.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0021lr1/breakfast-31072024 at 1.36.

Please visit https://www.safertourism.org.uk/pack-co-safe to learn more about Hudson and how to prevent similar deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hudson’s mother, Cathy is bravely heading this warning campaign, assisted by the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group of MPs (APPCOG) and the Safer Tourism Foundation.

CO-Gas Safety has put her in touch with these organisations and supports her and her family. CO-Gas Safety thanks the family for their vital awareness raising work.

However, this work should not be left to grieving families. Please write to your member of Parliament about this. If you don’t know who your MP is please visit https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

CO-Gas Safety calls for:

1. CO alarms to BS EN 50291 to be on sale at all air, seaports and also major railway stations.
2. A public warning campaign about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and how to prevent it.
3. For all ‘gap year’ companies that provide paid for advice to young travelers to make it clear that a CO alarm to BS EN 50291 and information about CO are more important than such things as expensive hiking boots and rucksacks etc. CO alarms must be on all kit lists.
4. Advice on insurance including repatriation. In the past, CO-Gas Safety has asked Ministers in the Foreign Office to either make such insurance compulsory or provide it as part of the passport fee, where it is not purchased. The motor insurance bureau provides this for uninsured drivers.
5. Awareness that CO deaths and injuries don’t just happen abroad. Please watch our one minute film about Sue who had carbon monoxide poisoning – could save your life or the life of someone you love https://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/one-survivors-story/
6. Testing for CO whenever practicable, in the UK particularly by the gas emergency service which at the moment does not have a legal duty to do this.