A couple’s health was put at risk by a badly installed wood burning stove, a court was told.
Oliver Brown, director of Lincolnshire Stoves Ltd of Normanby Gateway, Lysaghts Way, Scunthorpe, and his company were fined after an investigation by our trading standards team.
The company and Brown appeared at York Magistrates’ Court on Friday (7 February) and pleaded guilty to an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Officers began an investigation into Brown, of Sands Lane, Scotter, Scunthorpe, after receiving a complaint from a couple who had employed his company to install a wood burning stove at their home in Brayton, Selby.
A leak shortly after installation alerted the householders to the fact that there was a problem and they contacted HETAS, an approval body for heating equipment installers.
A HETAS inspector found that flue interference and inadequate ventilation presented a risk of excess carbon monoxide production causing a health hazard for the occupants.
The flue height was insufficient, there was a lack of chimney support, and the stove was too close to plasterboard and a skirting board, giving an increased risk of fire. The householders had also been left without a fixed carbon monoxide alarm, a notice plate, or the commissioning documents.
The faults were so concerning that the inspector categorised the stove as ‘immediately dangerous’ and instructed the householders not to use it.
Brown was given the opportunity to correct the faults within a deadline set by HETAS, but he failed to do so and was removed from their register.
Magistrates ordered that the company pay a fine of £500, victim surcharge of £200 and costs of £617. Brown was ordered to pay a fine of £204, victim surcharge of £82 and costs of £617.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “Householders rely on traders to complete work competently, and this is particularly so when poorly completed work can pose a risk to their health and safety.
“I am pleased that HETAS acted quickly to remove Brown’s registration. I hope that the convictions of both Brown and the company underline the potentially serious outcome of his work and send a message to all installers to ensure they follow building regulations and standards when fitting heating equipment.
“The householders were fortunate in this case in that the leak alerted them to the problem installation, but without that they might have suffered the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning for some time.”
Anybody looking for a tradesperson is encouraged to take recommendations from friends or family and source at least three quotes beforehand.
Residents can report rogue traders or get advice from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. See more information about trading standards.
See more about the Government-endorsed scheme Trustmark.