The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued an urgent safety alert over 114,000 circulating pumps installed in heating systems in Irish homes that could present a serious risk of electrocution.
The affected products are Tucson 5m, 6m, and 8m pumps manufactured between 2017 and 2024.
The mains cable can be connected to these pumps in reverse, allowing the live pin to connect to the earth pin and therefore posing the electrocution risk.
The CCPC said this is one of the largest product safety alerts ever issued by it, and one of the most serious.
According to the CCPC, consumers can continue to use their heating systems as normal but are warned to take care not to handle affected pumps.
They should not disconnect, adjust or attempt any maintenance on any affected pumps.
The CCPC launched an investigation into the issue, following a referral from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
As a result of the probe, the manufacturer - Tucson Pumps - is rolling out a major replacement programme and consumers can have the pump replaced for free by an approved, qualified Tucson technician or service agent.
Patrick Kenny from the CCPC said anyone who has had work done on their heating system in the last eight years needs to check if they have one of these pumps.
"Check your heating system very carefully - do not touch the pump, just look for the Tucson brand, find the serial number and check it against the list on CCPC.ie," he said.
"The affected pump can then be replaced for free by an approved Tucson technician or service agent," he added.
The CCPC said it is particularly highlighting the alert to tradespeople, warning that at this time of year people are getting their heating systems serviced or upgraded, and any contact with the electrical connection of these pumps carries a risk of electrocution.
"Anyone working on heating systems must be very aware of the serious risk presented by these pumps, and retailers must check their stock and stop sales of the affected units immediately," the Commission said.
If anyone has a pump in their home that is from Tucson, they can find the serial number on the front of the pump and check the number at CCPC.ie, on the Tucson Pumps site, or by calling 01 842 6255.
Serial numbers starting with any of following mean the pump must be replaced: S/N A, S/N B, S/N C, S/N D44 or earlier, S/N 2017, S/N 2018, S/N 2019, S/N 2020.
