In South Africa, the risk of fires is influenced by a variety of socio-economic factors notably the rising levels of urbanisation which often results in informal settlements consisting of shacks built by highly combustible materials (frequently wood and plastic) and in close proximity to each other. The fire problem is further complicated by the living conditions characterized by narrow streets which are inaccessible to fire services vehicles, lack of firefighting water supply as well as the lack of street names which complicates endeavours to reach people in need timeously during emergencies in informal settlements. In order to address this, The Department of Cooperative Governance's National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), has entered into partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its regulatory agencies i.e. National Regulator of Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to remove these unsafe and illegal stoves from our communities thereby contributing to reducing the risk of fires. The campaign gives effect to the realisation of the mandates and roles of both the NCC and the NRCS. The NCC, empowered by Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, is tasked with ensuring consumer protection in the country, while the NRCS, as mandated by the NRCS Act 8 of 2008, and oversees the regulation and approval of consumer products to ensure that they meet certain compulsory standards and specifications. In terms of the NRCS Act (No5 of 2008) and NRCS procedures, all importers and manufactures of regulated commodities are required to: - Register with the NRCS
- Homologate/approve/register their products (for this, they obtain registration/homologation/LOA as proof of compliance) before they can import or manufacture
- Pay levies
Paraffin Stoves and Heaters
This compulsory specification covers the requirements for the construction,
Operation and safe use of non-pressure paraffin stoves and heaters primarily intended for domestic use with a gauge pressure close to the burner < 2 kPa, gauge and with a maximum heat rating of 4,5 kW for a single burner.
The Compulsory Specification for the Flame Producing Devices:
VC9089:2006.
SANS 1906:2006
Consumers must check the markings Requirements on the PRODUCTS:
The approval number (LOA) of stoves & heaters e.g. AZ/1906/2006/XXXX
Manufacturer's name and information
*XXXX – is a 4 digit unique number for the particular approved brand
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