The British Columbia Safety Authority advises home and building owners who may be using radiant ceiling heating panels installed prior to 1995 to discontinue using these panels as they are unapproved for use in Canada.

The British Columbia Safety Authority (BCSA) is advising home and building owners who may be using radiant ceiling heating panels installed prior to 1995 to discontinue using these panels as they are unapproved for use in Canada.

The warning is being issued after a recent house fire in Windermere, BC, where it was determined that an Aztec-Flexel (sometimes referred to as Thermaflex Scotland) heating panel was involved in the incident. In 1993 and 1994, British Columbia issued disconnect orders for the following:

• All Aztec-Flexel panels rated 22 watts per square foot
• All Thermaflex panels rated 22 watts per square foot
• All Flexwatt panels type R17C20H240 rated 20 watts per panel section

A ban on all new installations of radiant ceiling heating panels over 18 watts per square foot was also issued. The ban and disconnect orders were triggered by a number of incidents across Canada in which the above listed panels were involved.

"The BCSA is concerned that homeowners may still be using these ceiling heating panels. Any panels covered by the 1993 and 1994 disconnect orders are not safe," said Stephen Hinde, electrical safety manager of the BCSA. "If you suspect your heating panel falls into this group, stop using it immediately and hire a licensed contractor to inspect it. If it is confirmed as one of these, it must be disconnected from its power source," he said.

For more information, visit the BCSA website at www.safetyauthority.ca.