WA has banned the sale of open-flued gas space heaters that lack safety shutdown features. This includes new and second hand heaters

The Director of Energy Safety issued a prohibition order on 10 October 2022 that bans the sale of open-flued gas space heaters that do not have a safety shutdown feature and do not meet Australian Standards AS/NZS 5263.1.3:2021 or AS/NZS 5263.1.8:2021.

The reason for the ban is that open-flued gas space heaters without a safety shutdown feature create a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a greater risk in modern homes because they are better sealed against drafts. Preventing fresh air from entering means the concentration of carbon monoxide will be higher.

Consumers are being urged to have their open-flued gas heaters serviced at least once every two years or as specified by the manufacturer. Heaters over 10 years old should be serviced annually.

For more information

For full details of the ban including information for gasfitters, see the Building and Energy announcement.