TECHNICAL
39
NRCS bites hard
By
Rory Macnamara
The issue of refurbished geysers has been a problem for some
time now, long before Covid-19, and can have consequences that
endanger the safety of those in buildings in which such geysers
are installed.
The fact that no standard exists for a refurbished/
reconditioned geyser, but SANS 151 does exist for
the traditional geyser or hot water storage tank is
the first warning sign of something being done that
compromises the integrity of 151. In the one case a
test certificate is offered, which shows that the tank
is sandblasted according to an ISO standard, and
this is a second warning that the tank, designed for
a specific purpose, is potentially weakened, again to
the detriment of the 151 compulsory standard. It is
a further fact that such tanks are to be destroyed if
they cannot serve the purpose they were originally
designed for.
Of course, such geysers are being offered at ridiculously low
prices, making them attractive. However, the product and
the process of manufacturing is questionable.
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)
is the enforcer of such standards, and to their credit took the
matter in hand and visited the premises of the two companies
involved and started the process of investigation. The
companies are in contravention of the NRCS Act, section 14.1
for selling non-compliant product. A further directive in terms
of section 15.1 of the Act was prepared and subsequently
issued to the owners who were given seven working days to
come up with corrective measures, failing which the NRCS
would move to issue a section 15.3 directive which empowers
NRCS to confiscate and destroy the tanks. Upon issue of the
first notice the two companies are not permitted to sell the
tanks or to keep them in their control.
A further concern is that these products are sold through
OLX, Yellow Pages, Gumtree, and other online sites.
Discussing this with one such online operator, they
disingenuously used the excuse that such advertising is
beyond their control and accepted in good faith! When it
was pointed out that by carrying this message, they were
breaking the law in terms of the Consumer Protection Act
– the phone was promptly put down. This aspect is being
taken up with the Consumer Commissioner.
Finally, such products are not ‘free trade’ or ‘protectionism’,
but illegal. The consumer ends up suffering, as does the
qualified plumber whose income is reduced by this activity.
We will keep you informed once the NRCS process is
completed. PA
“The National
Regulator for
Compulsory
Specifications
(NRCS) is the
enforcer of
such standards
and to their
credit took
the matter in
hand.”
August 2020 Volume 26 I Number 06
www.plumbingafrica.co.za