BCC 25-01

April 2008

Flames, Hot Surfaces etc

Vulnerable age

Persons aged under 5 years old

Related hazards

None

HHSRS Operating

Guidance: February 2006

Multiple locations

Yes

No

Secondary hazards

Yes

No

Hot water/central heating boiler in

bathroom

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

Layout of first floor bathroom

Dwelling: Two storey, end terraced, inter-war house

Background: This is a two storey, end terraced, house built in about 1932. It comprises of a through lounge-diner and

kitchen on the ground floor and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. Hot water is provided from a

combination boiler located in the first floor bathroom which also supplies the heating of the property through a wet

central heating system. The boiler is on the outside wall at a height of around 920mm above finished floor level. It is

level, horizontally, with the top of the WC pan and seat. The casing to the front of the boiler is missing and there is a

leak on the central heating distribution pipe work underneath the boiler. Below the boiler is an area of boxing-in which

was created to provide a shelf within the bathroom which is strong enough to support the weight of a young child.

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD

HARM

a

Unprotected hot surfaces

3

a

Surface/liquid temperature

2

b

Unguarded open flames

-

b

Exposure

-

c

Hot water to bath

-

d

Hot water to sink

-

Key

3

Seriously defective

e

Thermostatic taps

-

2

Defective

f

Kitchen layout

-

1

Not satisfactory

g

Inadequate separation

-

-

Satisfactory/NA

RATING

2.2

21.5

Av: 81.1

76.3

Score: 522

H

I

J

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Likelihood to

1 in 180

Outcomes to

0.0

2.2

21.5 76.3

%

Justification

Repositioning the boiler away from the WC (so that it is inaccessible to a child) and repairing the leak and replacing the

casing would mean that the property would be that of the national average. Should the repositioning work not be

possible then repairing the boiler would also reduce the likelihood although probably not to the average.

Av: 43

A

B

C

D

E

F

Average likelihood and health outcomes for persons aged under 5 years, 1997-1999

NEW RATING

Av: Nos

Score: 52

H

I

J

G-

BCC 25-01

April 2008

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

Low

LIKELIHOOD

< 4200 2400

High

1 in

Av: 1920-45 House: 191

1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

G

Justification

The likelihood of a harmful occurrence is increased above average because of the lack of cover to the central heating

boiler, exposing part of the heat exchanger and also the leakage of hot water from the boiler. A child would be able to

climb to reach the hot boiler surface, either from the WC or from the shelving and it would be easy for contact with the

hot surface to be for some time.

OUTCOMES

Class I

Class II

%

Av: 1920-45 House: 0.0

0

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

Av: 2.5

26

38 >

26

38 >

Av: 16.4

26

38 >

26

38 >

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

Class III

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

Class IV

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

Justification

There is no reason to change the harm outcomes from the national average in this case

Av: 1920-45 House: 43

A

B

C D- E

F

18

1.5 >