Landlord Recently fitted this Storage Heater...Is it right?

[XionPredator]

Hi all,

Apologies for this being my first post on the forum, I intend to write an introduction post too once I've finished here.

I've recently had a storage heater fitted as a way of heating my property (I'm a student). I can't help but think it looks extremely dangerous and I'm dubious about putting my hands anywhere near it.

I've no idea about electronics or circuits so figured asking for some reliable information from the internet would be my first port of call. Indeed, there might not be anything wrong with the way it's been fitted - but I thought it better to be safe than sorry.

This is the Storage Heater;

Dropbox - IMG_9633.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bbhsnnsxk26fs4m/IMG_9633.JPG?dl=0

This is the switch that worries me;

Dropbox - IMG_9635.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/vm4foo60cc7fv59/IMG_9635.JPG?dl=0

Regardless of what position the "switch" is in, the storage heater remains on, as you can see by the orange lights on the switch contained in the storage heater unit;

Dropbox - IMG_9637.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bt2nbrem2gxu85a/IMG_9637.JPG?dl=0

Dropbox - IMG_9636.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/86ejt7ak9s0cgny/IMG_9636.JPG?dl=0

Apologies if this is perfectly fine way of setting up such a storage heater, this post is mainly for my own piece of mind and to know I'm not going to be electrocuted if/when I touch it.

Thanks in advance guys,

All the best,

Xi

 

[Pete999]

Hi all,

Apologies for this being my first post on the forum, I intend to write an introduction post too once I've finished here.

I've recently had a storage heater fitted as a way of heating my property (I'm a student). I can't help but think it looks extremely dangerous and I'm dubious about putting my hands anywhere near it.

I've no idea about electronics or circuits so figured asking for some reliable information from the internet would be my first port of call. Indeed, there might not be anything wrong with the way it's been fitted - but I thought it better to be safe than sorry.

This is the Storage Heater;

Dropbox - IMG_9633.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bbhsnnsxk26fs4m/IMG_9633.JPG?dl=0

This is the switch that worries me;

Dropbox - IMG_9635.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/vm4foo60cc7fv59/IMG_9635.JPG?dl=0

Regardless of what position the "switch" is in, the storage heater remains on, as you can see by the orange lights on the switch contained in the storage heater unit;

Dropbox - IMG_9637.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bt2nbrem2gxu85a/IMG_9637.JPG?dl=0

Dropbox - IMG_9636.JPG - https://www.dropbox.com/s/86ejt7ak9s0cgny/IMG_9636.JPG?dl=0

Apologies if this is perfectly fine way of setting up such a storage heater, this post is mainly for my own piece of mind and to know I'm not going to be electrocuted if/when I touch it.

Thanks in advance guys,

All the best,

Xi

Two things I see from your pics, that doesn't look like any storage heater I have seen, more like a convector heater, mind yo I could be wrong, secondly that switch is a bodge

 

[andyb]

Pete's right, that's not a storage heater it's a convector heater.
If the neons are lit with the switch on or off then it has defiantly been wired incorrectly.

And it most defiantly is a bodge, should of used a switch fuse spur with a flex outlet. Talk to your landlord regarding your concerns.

 

[Wilko]

Yes, you are right to be concerned. Wire mesh rubbing the flex - not correct. With such an obvious flaw on show, I am worried about how it might be connected at the back.

 

[westward10]

That is a truly awful job, cable not restrained from isolator and if you say it doesn't switch off that is a worry.

 

[Richard Burns]

I agree not good at all.
A flex outlet switched fused connection unit is easy to get hold of and allows a safe path for the flex the exit the face plate.
The fact that the switch does not turn off the convector heater may indicate either a faulty switch or (based on the standard of install) that the wiring has been connected bypassing the switch and the fuse.
If they wanted to do that then a flex outlet plate can do just as well, but provides no control or protection.
The work needs addressing.

 

[mache]

definitely not right.
Do the neons on the heater stay on even if the fuse is removed from the wall plate. If they do then it is not a faulty switch but incorrectly wired with the only over current protection provided by the circuit breaker or fuse unit provided by the circuit wiring the heater has been connected to.
In either case call the landlord and report it. Tell him that as it can't be switched off it might end up buring his property down.

 

[XionPredator]

Hi all,

Thanks for the prompt replies. I notified my landlord of this problem a week or so ago and he has not visited the property to inspect the electronics or fixed it.

As a student I'm not aware of the legislation surrounding electrical appliances. I'm 99.9% sure that the handyman who fitted the convection heaters (Who told me they were storage heaters) is not a qualified electrician.

At the moment I'm at a loss as to what to do. Does anybody have any advice? Are there regulations governing the installation of such things in a student house?

Apologies for the number of questions, I have been trying to rectify this problem for some time now and this forum has offered the most prompt and useful advise so far.

Thank you for your continued help, in advance.

Best regards,

Xi

 

[hightower]

If your landlord wants someone to come round and take a look, let me know - Durham's a stones throw from me

 

[Andy78]

This will help you with what your landlord is legally responsible for.

For Landlords - http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-landlords/

For Tenants - http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/for-tenants/

You should be getting another message off to him saying that you have taken professional advice (this forum) that the installation appears to be unsafe and incorrectly installed. The council is your next call if you keep getting ignored.

 

[David Prosser]

I see you are a student, your university should have a good housing dept contact them first as they normally act quicker than the council.