Buy water heaters with proper Sirim, ST stamp of approval, says expert

SHAH ALAM - The public should always purchase water heaters with the proper stamp of approval from the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) and the Energy Commission (ST), according to an expert.

The Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia (TEEAM) President Siew Choon Thye said this is because electrical appliances with the proper stamp of approval from these regulatory bodies have gone through the appropriate due diligence process to be considered safe.

"This is because every water heater that is considered safe, is properly certified," he said to Sinar Daily.

Similarly, Siew also advised the public to purchase water heater systems that utilise a residual current device (RCD) and residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) which acts as a life-saving mechanism.

"There is a requirement from ST that RCD and RCCB needed to be used in water heaters.

"All the recent water heaters have built-in RCD but we suggest the public instal an additional RCCB to their water heater switch point or in the electrical distribution box.

"This is to prevent the possibility of electrical leakages," he added.

An RCD prevents electrical shocks and provide protection against electrical fires while RCCB detect and trips against electrical leakages and prevent electrical shocks caused by indirect contact.

According to Siew, electric shocks were caused by leakages from the power supply passing through damp areas around the power socket.

"As you know, water conduct electricity and the area around water heaters is usually wet and it has a high possibility of electric shock so this is why we highlight that the flexible hose at the inlet and outlet from water heater must be fixed with PVC hose and plastic valves.

"Meanwhile, metallic and copper valves are prohibited because they conduct electricity," Siew said.

He also advised homeowners to quickly switch off their main power if there were incidents of electrical shocks.

"In case you have added RCCB to the water heater switch, you can simply turn off the switch and it will cut the power supply," he said.

Siew also again stressed that the public should not buy online electrical products without proper certification from Sirim.

Siew's comments came after a couple were found dead in their flat in Taman Puncak Trinkap, Brinchang, Cameron Highlands, on March 10 due to electrocution caused by a faulty water heater

The police reported that the 46-year-old husband was taking a shower using the water heater before he was electrocuted and become unconscious.

The wife who tried to rescue her husband was also electrocuted.