Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: A man was electrocuted while taking a bath at his home in Ajman recently. Civil Defence said it was because of a sub-standard water heater.

A 23-year-old Emirati woman was electrocuted three years ago because of a faulty water heater in Ras Al Khaimah.

In yet another incident, a water heater exploded and brought down a house in Al Jolan. The homeowner, who was the only one in the house at the time, escaped with minor injuries.

Colonel Saeed Imbasi, who heads the Civil Defence Department in Ras Al Khaimah, said many brands of water heaters are of poor quality and are being sold in markets at low prices.

Mandatory

But now the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) has clamped down on manufacturers, importers and dealers, making it mandatory for them to get its approval before putting water heaters in the market.

The move has been taken under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS), said Mohamad Badri, Deputy Director General of ESMA. Manufacturers, importers and dealers of such products must obtain the Certificate of Registration (CoR) and Statement of Registration (SfR) from ESMA, to ensure they comply with mandatory standards, said Badri.

A senior official of ESMA told Gulf News the industry has responded well to the new regulations.

"About nine manufacturers; two multinational companies and seven local companies have already applied for mandatory certificates.

"They will be issued the certificates soon after due process," said Moamar Mustafa, Director of Conformity Assessment Department at ESMA. Unlike other standardisation schemes, we don't give any mark on the product. But ESMA in cooperation with other government agencies will ensure that uncertified products are not sold in the market.

"Violators will be dealt with in accordance with Article 26 of Law No: 28 of 2001 which administers jail term or fine not less than Dh30,000 or both," he said.

Past incidents at a glance

2007: A man burned to death in Ajman.

2006: The walls of a villa near Al Dhafra clinic in Abu Dhabi collapsed as result of a water heater explosion, although it caused no injuries.

2005: A water heater explosion brought down a villa in Ras Al Khaimah and its owner escaped with minor injuries.

2004: An Emirati woman was electrocuted in the bathroom in Ras Al Khaimah.

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Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.