The gas water heater is very common in Morocco: it is economical, provides instant hot water and runs on a simple butane bottle. But it is a combustion appliance. If it is poorly installed, poorly ventilated or poorly maintained, it can produce carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odourless and deadly gas.
Every winter, families are poisoned, often in a closed bathroom, while taking a shower. The good news: these accidents are preventable with a correct installation and a few good habits. Here is what you need to know.
Contents
Gas water heaters and carbon monoxide: the invisible danger
To burn properly, the flame of a water heater needs oxygen. If the room lacks air or if the fumes are not evacuated, combustion becomes incomplete and produces carbon monoxide. This gas takes the place of oxygen in the blood. You cannot see it, you cannot smell it, and the first symptoms look like simple tiredness.
| Possible symptoms of CO poisoning | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Headaches, dizziness | Turn off the appliance and ventilate immediately |
| Nausea, vomiting | Leave the room, get fresh air |
| Drowsiness, weakness, confusion | Call emergency services without delay |
| Loss of consciousness | Life-threatening emergency: call for help immediately |
Important sign: if several people in the household have the same symptoms, or if the symptoms disappear when you leave the house, think of carbon monoxide straight away.
A safe installation: location, flue, ventilation
Never in a closed room
A gas water heater must never be installed in a closed bathroom or a small room without ventilation. Choose a ventilated kitchen, a laundry room or a location designed for this purpose, with a permanent air supply.
A flue is mandatory
Fumes must be evacuated to the outside through a flue (chimney) of the right diameter, properly fitted, airtight and without a reverse slope. This is clearly stated on our product pages: the Bosch automatic 11 L/min, for example, must be connected to an exhaust chimney.
Ventilation grilles never blocked
The room must have an air inlet (at the bottom) and an air outlet (at the top). Never block them, even in winter when it is cold: that is precisely when accidents happen.
Installation, gas and water connections and the flue must be carried out by a qualified technician. This is not a job to improvise.
Gas bottle, regulator and hose
- The bottle: keep it upright, away from sun and heat, in a ventilated place. Never in a basement or a closed cupboard.
- The regulator: it must be suited to the type of gas and the appliance, and tightly fitted to the bottle.
- The hose: check its expiry date and replace it if it is out of date, cracked, hardened or crushed. It must not run behind the appliance or near a heat source.
- The leak test: with soapy water on the connections. Bubbles = leak. Never test with a flame.
Brico MIM tip: look at the colour of the flame. A blue, steady flame indicates good combustion. A yellow or orange flame, black marks around the appliance or an unusual smell signal a problem: turn off the appliance and have it checked by a professional. For extra safety, also install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Warning signs and life-saving steps
You smell gas
- Close the valve on the gas bottle.
- Do not use any switch, do not plug anything in, do not light a flame or a cigarette.
- Open doors and windows wide.
- Get out and get everyone out, then call a technician or emergency services.
You suspect CO poisoning
- Turn off the appliance if it is safe to do so.
- Ventilate immediately and leave the house.
- Call emergency services: Civil Protection on 15.
- Do not use the appliance again until it has been checked by a professional.
Good everyday habits
- Have the water heater checked and serviced regularly by a professional (burner, heat exchanger, flue).
- Do not take very long showers in a closed bathroom containing a gas appliance, and never leave a child alone in that situation.
- Replace the ignition batteries as soon as ignition becomes irregular, for example with Varta R20 type D batteries, available along with other parts in our water heater accessories.
- Never modify the appliance, the flue or the safety devices yourself.
- An old appliance that often breaks down or "blackens"? It is time to replace it.
To replace an old appliance, our water heater department offers instantaneous gas models from 799 DH, such as the StarLux automatic 6 L for one water outlet at a time, up to the Bosch 11 L/min for a family (up-to-date prices on the product pages). Hesitating between electric and solar? Read our comparison.
Frequently asked questions about gas water heater safety
Can a gas water heater be installed in the bathroom?
It should be avoided. A bathroom is often small, closed and poorly ventilated, and that is where most poisonings occur. The appliance must be in a ventilated room, with a flue to the outside, installed by a qualified technician.
My water heater no longer lights: is it dangerous?
Most often, the ignition batteries are simply worn out. If the appliance still does not light with new batteries and the gas turned on, do not force it: have it checked.
How often should the gas hose be replaced?
Respect the expiry date shown on the hose, and replace it immediately if it is damaged, hardened or cracked.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Hot water, in complete safety
Discover our gas, electric and solar water heaters, or ask our team for advice.
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