Safety standards apply

Electric room heaters sold in Australia must be manufactured to Australian Standards. NSW Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring and approving these heaters and ensuring that they are manufactured to Australian Standards. If you are intending to buy a heater, make sure that it is clearly marked with the approval number or another acceptable mark. These numbers or marks are normally found on the information sticker attached to the heater or within the information moulded into the body of the heater. Only Australian approval marks are acceptable on goods sold in Australia.

Approval numbers and marks

As of 10 August 2007 the following electrical safety approval marks are acceptable under the Electricity Consumer Safety Act 2004. Under NSW Laws these numbers are a guide only and not specific examples.

Type of approval mark	Example
NSW Approval Number Interstate Approval Numbers	NSW12345 Q011234, V023425
Regulatory Compliance (RCM)
International Testing & Certification Services Pty Ltd (ACN 098 886 563)	A/number/EA
SAA Approvals Pty Ltd  (ACN 125451327)	SAA number EA
SAI Global Certification Services Pty Ltd (ACN 108 716 669)	SAI TE EA number SAI SMK EA number
SGS Systems & Services Certification Pty Ltd (ACN 060 156 014)	SGSEA number
The Australian Gas Association (ACN 004 206 044)	AGA number EA
UL International New Zealand Limited (New Zealand Incorporation No. 1983441)	U number EA

Where an approval number or mark is not visible

If you cannot see an approval number or mark on the heater, ask the sales person to show you the approval number or mark. If they cannot show it to you, do not buy the heater. Purchase another heater, which is numbered or marked appropriately.

If you find a store selling heaters that have no approval numbers or markings, contact NSW Fair Trading. We are responsible for monitoring the safety of electrical goods sold in NSW.

Using a heater safely

Apart from checking to make sure that the room heater is approved and manufactured to Australian Standards, you should also take care while using any heater in your home. The way you use your room heater is just as important as how the heater was made.

Safety tips

Here are some essential safety tips for room heaters:

• Do not place the room heater too close to other furniture items in your home. The heat produced by the heater could ignite the other furniture.
• Do not place clothing or other items too close to the room heater. Some materials burn very easily and could start a fire in your home.
• Do not allow children or pets to play, stand or sit too close to the room heater.

Older style room heaters

Modern heaters are manufactured to the latest standards. They are made from modern materials and incorporate additional safety features that your older style heater may not have.

Caution: older style heaters with rusted reflectors or frames could cause hot spots and may be a source of danger.

However, your current room heater may be safe as long as it is used appropriately. Remember, keep children, pets, clothes, furnishings, curtains and bedding well away from the room heater.

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