What’s an IEE-compliant electric undertile heater?
Some confusion had recently arisen in the media, raising doubts over the safety of electric undertile heaters that are currently on the market. Here was the response from Charles Mathias, Warmup’s Chief Executive, in clarification. I personally found it insightful and thought it makes an interesting read in any case.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to correct some misleading statements made by certain parties reported in the last issue of TileUK regarding the safety of electric undertile heating that the only safe type if heater is that which uses 100% aluminium sheathing. This is totally wrong.
The IEE wiring regulations do state that 100% coverage is required by aluminium sheathing to comply with the regulations. However, what some parties forget to mention is that the IEE wiring regulations state the use of a braid is also suitable as long as it passes the 1mm2 point test. Most of the braided wires produced across the industry, including those of Warmup Plc, do comply with this test, for example our wires like many of our competitors actually pass the 0.5mm2 point test.
It might also be worth noting that many of the products on the market, including those of Warmup, have BEAB, UL and other approvals. As you are aware these approvals are a result of many stringent tests to ensure the safety of the product, and are not given readily. BEAB for example, who apply a wide an comprehensive range of tests and who approve Warmup’s products, only give approval if a product complies with the IEE regulations.
It would indeed be a shame if erroneous statements put consumers off the product as we feel like you that undertile heating can be instrumental in helping the tile industry to grow.
Yours,
Charles Mathias
Chief Executive
Warmup PLC
