A warning has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warning of the dangers of redundant fuel back boilers.

The announcement – aimed at tenants, landlords and heating professionals – warned that there have been five incidents in the last five years were the boilers have exploded.

A number of these incidents led to injury and tragically, in one case, to a fatality.

The risk can arise when a disused boiler has been left at the back of a fireplace and a coal or wood fire is lit in front of it.


This can mean the boiler heats up causing it to explode. Therefore anyone with a redundant back boiler should not light an open fire in front of it.

Information on the alert should help identify whether anyone has this potential risk in a property/housing stock and what steps that should be taken.

If you are unsure if you have a back boiler behind your fireplace you should seek further advice from your landlord or a competent professional such as a plumber or heating engineer.

For practical and technical advice you can contact the Solid Fuel Association helpline on: 0845 601 406, or visit the HETAS website – the body recognised for official testing and approval of domestic solid fuel burning appliances – on www.hetas.co.uk

(JM)