MI changes
 
As both MI are available on this website including the original MI 987618 Issue7 and the new MI 300001217_2 (I assume this was first published in June 2019), people can look at them and form their own opinion. They are obviously (to a RGI) radically different. The bulk of the early MI information may appear the same in both MI, which is indeed the case. The later differences however are profound.

Essentially the MI actually contradict each other on a matter that is profoundly significant to gas safety and can impact on the production of dangerous carbon monoxide. This is absurd. Lay people may not yet understand the nuances but an effort will be made to explain, as this could affect them. I was only told that "Since June 2019 there is no restrictor, this is why the manuals looked different". In other words something changed since 'June 2019' but no further information is provided which is of course an insult and totally unacceptable.

It would have helped if Glen Dimplex had made a disclosure online about what is going on, together with a copy of both MI and some means of identifying whether the appliance 32.689.33 you are looking at requires the application of old or new MI. The obvious method to be published online and on the new MI, would be to refer to serial numbers, as a temporary measure until this situation is regularised.

This is obvious. I speculate the reason they have not is because they dare not. I cannot think of any other reason. If common sense prevailed and the information was published, the whole world would know (this is manifestly in the public interest). I further speculate that the reason the information has not been published is because what they have done is not authorised (protocol) in some way. In other words non-compliant, hence the referral to the HSE.

For the historical record several people have followed up my request to take a screenshot of the relevant web page and download the three downloads on offer, as evidence: https://www.valor.co.uk/product/firecharm-electronic - Others are encouraged to do so and fact-check all my claims for themselves.

There is only one MI available for download and that is the original MI mentioned above. The complete download set (from the Valor website) is available here as a zipped folder with the name GND003-4-5-6 (6.3MB - 03.09.2022) for future reference.

Let me be clear about this. Neither of the two MI can be applied to both pre-June and post-June versions of 32-689-33. More about this in Ramifications. Even if you actually knew beforehand there were two very different MI, you have no way of knowing which 32.689.33 gas fires they apply to. There is no legacy data provided anywhere. No reference to serial numbers at the changeover date. Highly suspicious and I would suggest, non-compliant.

Another red flag is the unprofessional (in my opinion) presentation of MI changes. As I have said elsewhere, I cannot accept that a UK Notified Body has either made the changes or had oversight of the changes. The changes may have been made in-house rather than by a Notified Body. If true that also suggests some protocols may have been sidestepped. A job for the HSE to investigate.

It is usual for MI to include recommendations for servicing and trouble-shooting problems. They employ different methods depending on the appliance. That can include text and/or flow charts and/or precedence networks. They are obviously presented sequentially as you would reasonably expect. Always have been.

In the new MI the RGI is directed in the later stages to refit the outer casing, just before carrying out the new spillage test. The snag is that with the outer casing fitted, the new spillage test cannot be carried out. The outer casing needs to be removed to give the RGI access to the draught diverter. I would not permit any RGI under my counsel to remove the outer casing before carrying out the spillage test unless that protocol was supported by MI. But there is more.
 
 
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