Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan on Tuesday reviewed the preliminary findings of an inspection report issued by the Royal Scientific Society concerning gas heaters linked to cases of death and suffocation.
اضافة اعلان
The meeting was attended by several ministers, the Director of Public Security, and representatives of the Royal Scientific Society and relevant authorities.
Preliminary Findings
The initial inspection results showed that all heaters involved in suffocation and fatal incidents were used units and suffered from defects in the combustion process, leading to elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the air, in addition to malfunctions in oxygen sensors. The findings also revealed that most of these heaters were not fitted with gas-specific hoses or designated pressure regulators.
The report has been referred to the judicial authorities to complete the necessary legal procedures.
Permanent Ban on “Shamoussa” Gas Heaters
In a related development, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply decided to permanently ban the production, sale, and circulation of all types of gas heaters commonly known as “Shamoussa,” or similar models, under penalty of legal liability.
The ministry also warned against the use of second-hand “Shamoussa” heaters currently owned by citizens inside enclosed spaces under any circumstances.
Stricter Safety Requirements
The ministry further decided to prohibit the production and supply of all currently permitted gas heaters unless they are equipped with an approved fixed pressure regulator and a designated gas hose supplied with the heater, in accordance with approved safety standards.
It stressed the importance of adhering to all safety measures related to the use of gas heaters, most notably:
Avoiding the use of non-designated gas hoses.
Ensuring the use of a fixed pressure regulator.
Maintaining continuous and adequate ventilation when heaters are used in enclosed areas.
The ministry also emphasized that gas heaters must be turned off directly from the gas cylinder rather than from built-in control switches found on some heaters, to ensure maximum safety.
Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement
The Ministry noted that the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization will take additional measures to ensure safety standards, including requiring clear and permanent display of usage and general safety instructions on all types of heaters, both on the heater body and on the external packaging.
Relevant authorities will conduct intensive inspection campaigns in markets to ensure compliance with these measures and impose penalties on violators. Testing procedures for all types of heaters will also be intensified.
Additionally, direct coordination will be established between security authorities and the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization to provide any device involved in accidents for technical inspection to verify its safety, including electrical appliances and any device operating on any source of energy.
