Dangerous Installation

volsung37

A few months ago I had an electric fire installed in our old fireplace. It was one of those false coal fire effects which also heated the room. A few months after installation it inexplicably failed. No heat or light. I couldn’t see any reason for it. I phoned up the dealer for the make who called around and had a look. It turns out the installer who also sold me the fire had connected it up via a long extension cable behind the fire. The dealer told me this was totally against regulations and had led to the fuse going in the fire plug. It was obvious that there had been a lot of heat as part of the plug had melted. This could have caused a serious fire starting behind the heater. What recourse do I have with the people who sold and installed the fire?

FFHillbilly

do you have an invoice with the installation details written on it?
how did you pay?
why didn't you go straight to the person that fitted it?
which regulation did the dealer tell you had been breached?
whats the power rating of the fire, eg 2kW?

macman

Was the installer contracted by you, or by the dealer whom you bought it from? The person responsible is whoever you contracted with. If the dealer subbed it, he is responsible.
I don't understand why this needed installing: they are normally freestanding and simply plug in to a 13A socket. Using a suitable extension lead for this is not in itself intrinsically dangerous, but obviously the plug and trailing socket cannot be near the heat source. Or did he splice the two cables together?

diystarter7

Hi OP

Sorry, but the first thing that struck me quite quickly was why did you not contact the seller/installer.

What make and model is it?

Thanks

FreeBear

macman said: Using a suitable extension lead for this is not in itself intrinsically dangerous, but obviously the plug and trailing socket cannot be near the heat source. Or did he splice the two cables together?

Unfortunately, not all extension leads are created equal. Whilst you will find plenty rated at 13A, when pushed, the cable or flying socket can overheat. Hence the reason most manufacturers of high power appliances say do not use with extension leads.

ratrace

Best way to fit them if the plug is far away compared to where the fire is going, is to remove the original flex that came with fire and attach a new longer fire/heat rated flex and reconnect the 13A plug

we had to do this on a electric heated we had a while ago, the only thing is it means opening up the new fire and that could invalidate and warrenty you have, ours was used so i was not fussed plus the socket i connected to was on a rcd for extra protection. hope that helps

volsung37

Thanks for all the replies.

FFHillbilly - I have an invoice but it only has amounts next to it for the fireplace and the appliance. Labour is written but there is no figure next to it. I know I did pay them for labour but do not have a piece of paper saying this. They will surely have a copy themselves?
It was a substantial amount for labour.
I paid by credit card.
I went to the shop which sold me the fire and arranged the work. At that time I did not know what was wrong with the fire. The shopowner gave me the number of the distributer and said they had a guy who could call out and check the fire.
Now that you mention it he didn’t say a regulation had been broken but that the manufacturer did not recommend the use of extension leads with their appliances.
The power rating of the fire is 2Kw

macman - the installer was the brother of the guy who sold me the fire. It is a small family firm. The shop arranged the installation.
The fire installation was part of a larger job. He removed an old fireplace. Installed a new one and positioned the fire in the new fireplace.
Both the plug and trailing socket were inches away from the heat source in the small space behind the fire. There was about 10ft of extension lead coiled up there.

diystarter7
I did contact the seller who told me to ring the distributer who would come around personally and check the fire.
It is a bemodern Electric Heater Fire Model 2588

Freebear
This is more or less what the distributer said ie that the appliance should not be used with an extension lead.

ratrace
As the fire is still under warranty as you say this would invalidate that.

Thanks again for the replies. Any help appreciated

macman

If you contracted with the retailer, and he sub'd the install job to his brother, then the claim is against the retailer. I fail to understand what the distributor has to do with it: they are not liable for a faulty install or a faulty appliance.
It's up to the retailer to replace, repair or refund you-his choice. This is regardless of whether the fault is in the install or the appliance, since they supplied both.

volsung37

Thanks macman
I will be visiting the shop soon

Eldi_Dos

Has the fire been made safe now? if not do not use it.

If fire has not been made safe in your position I would contact your local council trading standards dept and explain the issue.
Then I would contact your local fire service and ask to speak to a fire prevention officer.

volsung37

Thanks Eldi Dos. Good points