PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2025 40 GasSafety


Why take a chance on counterfeit boiler fl ue accessories?


The increasingly widespread availability of non- genuine and unapproved fl ue accessories could be putting the safety of consumers at risk. Martyn Bridges, director of external aff airs at Worcester Bosch, explains why they could pose a problem for both the end-user and the purchaser.


I


t’s almost cyclical that non-original or counterfeit accessories for boiler installations are advertised on the


internet as genuine parts. Usually, they are sold under the guise of compliant, compatible, manufacturer- produced components – but this is false information. We’ve recently noticed


an increase in the number of non-legitimate fl ue accessories currently for sale. Of course, we have no idea whether these fl ue parts are capable of withstanding the working conditions of the appliance they’re connected to. They might look the same, but can they last the life expectancy of a boiler? Will they leak or corrode with time? This year’s Gas Safety


Week, from the 8th to the 14th of September, presents a good opportunity to remind all industry stakeholders of the importance of sourcing original, rigorously tested parts for installations.


Online purchase Boiler installation accessories that aren’t manufacturer- approved are primarily sold through online channels, for a cheaper price than the market rate. Today, the prevalent case is a 100mm concentric fl ue system for domestic boilers. Flue systems like these


tend to be advertised as universally compatible, giving spurious vendors a way into the market. This is an immediate red fl ag, as boiler


manufacturers each have their own dedicated fl ue systems, subject to robust testing and approval processes that help ensure the fl ue’s safety. Manufacturers in the UK


Martyn Bridges Director of external affairs for Worcester Bosch


generally have appliance and fl ue systems approved to C1, C3 and C5 classifi cations – essentially, horizontal, vertical and fl ue plume redirection categories. Alternative fl ue systems may be cheaper, or their aesthetics might be similar to the genuine part, but components that are not made by the original appliance manufacturers, or classifi ed appropriately, present several areas for concern.


It’s the


responsibility of the person installing the boiler to ensure they’re sourcing safe, rigorously tested products and safeguarding their customers


Missing mark One issue with counterfeit parts is that the fl ue won’t hold the essential CE marking to demonstrate it complies with safety standards. But beyond potentially invalidating the boiler’s warranty, there is also a large number of unknowns surrounding these accessories that should be reason enough for installers to avoid them. Manufacturer-produced


fl ue systems have generally undergone extensive testing for durability, robustness and so on. In fact, the fl ue systems we provide at Worcester Bosch can even be run externally for certain lengths, having achieved durability against UV exposure. By comparison, it’s unlikely


that any counterfeit fl ue systems have been subjected to such comprehensive test


regimes. For instance, has the fl ue been tested at the extreme high temperatures a faulty boiler might operate at? Or conversely, the low temperatures it can reach? These checks ensure that fl ue systems last longer than the expected 15-year lifecycle of the average boiler. On the other hand,


counterfeit products can cause both performance and safety issues. If a system can’t withstand the temperature generated by the boiler, it could leak harmful fl ue gases into the room. Even if it looks and assembles exactly how the manufacturer’s accessory does, you just don’t know whether it’s working as well as it should.


Cause for concern There was one recent incident where a controller had been marketed as compatible and connected to a Worcester Bosch appliance. When we were called to the site to investigate, the controller seemed to be energising the motorised valve on the boiler, moving it to the mid position even when there was no demand for heating or hot water. This obviously raised


extreme concerns. If this controller can spontaneously energise certain components on the boiler without cause, what could happen next? We also undertook an


exercise buying a set amount of components from internet sellers of spare parts. We identifi ed one component as


a circulating pump originally used on a boiler 15 years ago, which had been refurbished and resprayed to look like a brand new component. Unfortunately,


manufacturers have limited power to block the sale of these products. They’re sold online, often with no physical premises, directly to installers. Even if you could stop an individual vendor, somebody else will just start up again. What we can do is raise awareness and spread warnings of the risks.


Timely reminder For installers, service engineers, and others active in the fi eld, Gas Safety Week should come as a timely reminder to make sure that any accessories, particularly fl ue components, are from the original appliance manufacturer. Counterfeit or non-original parts have unpredictable performance standards at best, but can also pose a large threat of danger to the homeowner. Ultimately, installers don’t


want to put their customers at risk by fi tting something that isn’t the right specifi cation or hasn’t gone through the appropriate approval processes. It’s the responsibility of the


person installing the boiler to ensure they’re sourcing safe, rigorously tested products and safeguarding their customers. The buck stops with those who choose to purchase parts through the correct channels. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/925/74


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