24 Dec 2024 NR24-004
Morco Products Ltd open flued water heaters – Important Safety Warning
The BSS is supporting Morco, with its warning to owners of boats that have Morco Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open-flued water heaters, sold between 2018 and 2023, to stop using the water heaters immediately and disconnect them from the gas supply.
Morco has issued the Important Safety Warning notice following the discovery that there is a risk of a gas leak in the water heaters, that could result in a fire.
Despite extensive independent investigations and tests, commissioned by Morco involving test houses and forensic expertise, the root cause of the issue has yet to be identified. So, Morco took a safety-first approach, and issued a warning to stop using the water heater immediately and isolate the gas supply to the appliance.
This safety-first approach also means that any water heaters upgraded in a campaign earlier this year, are also caught by the warning and should not be used and have the gas supply isolated.
A Morco spokesperson said
‘If you have one of these gas water heaters installed including those that have had the previous safety upgrade, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the next steps.
‘Please do not attempt to check or test the appliance yourself’
Anyone with concerns about their Morco LPG open-flued water heater should go to the Morco website to check if their appliance is on the list. It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide.
If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at gaswaterheaters@morcoproducts.co.uk.
The Boat Safety Scheme is reinforcing the message to act now. The importance for boat owners is linked to the nature of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is generally heavier than air.
If LPG leaks from an appliance, it flows down as strong-smelling, but invisible gas to the lower parts of the boat where it can be trapped and pool, creating an explosive gas cloud that could be ignited by any type of spark or naked flame.
If anyone smells gas, which has a concentrated stenching agent added to aid detection, they should turn off the gas supply at the cylinder and open all windows, hatches and doors as they evacuate the vessel. The boat shouldn’t be re-boarded until the smell has gone completely.
Morco’s Warning and advice also has implications for BSS Examinations on a boat with one of the affected water heaters installed. The BSS has published additional information on its website www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe-advice/known-recalls-safety-alerts/ to cover this subject.
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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
BSS Communications Team
Boat Safety Scheme Ltd
Rob: 07710 175478 / Roxane: 07350 403567
Boat Safety Scheme c/o National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 4FW
T: 0333 202 1000
E: bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org
W: boatsafetyscheme.org/contact-us
The Boat Safety Scheme Limited is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 15501423, registered office address c/o National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port South Pier Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 4FW.
