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CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT. 1961
This Act empowers the Secretary of State to make Regulations
imposing, in respect of any prescribed class of goods, requirements which are
expedient to prevent or reduce risk of death or personal injury.
Fireguards
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations, 1953» continue to
operate and make it an offence to sell any gas or electric fire, or oil
heater, suitable for use in residential premises, unless it is fitted with
an adequate guard. Generally speaking, traders do not commit offences
under these Regulations, but it is necessary to keep a carefulwatch on the
sale of second-hand fires from stalls in public markets.
Oil Heaters
The Oil Heaters Regulations, 1962, prescribe certain standards of
construction, design and performance with which all unflued domestic oil
heaters manufactured after 1st June, 1962, must comply, and make it an
offence for any person to sell, or let on hire, or hire purchase, or have in
his possession for sale, any such oil heater or component part of an oil
heater not complying with the Regulations.
As the Oil Heater Regulations, 1962, apply only to heaters
manufactured since 1st June, 1962, the Council have asked the Metropolitan
Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee to consider making representations to
amend the Regulations so that they apply to all oil heaters irrespective of
the date of manufacture.
Concern has been expressed over the growing practice, particularly
in the northern part of the borough, of heating rooms in tenement houses by
oil heaters, and the increased danger from fire which results from this
practice.
The oilheater has rapidly gained in popularity over the past few
years and is in considerable use by the large coloured population in North