I'm the fire starter



Monday 8 April 2013

I'm the fire starter

Geckos and air conditioners may be a dangerous combination if investigations into recent electrical fires is anything to go by.

Steve West is the Regional Co-ordinator of Fire Investigations for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.

"Through our State Fire Investigation department, they say that this is not an out of the ordinary situation," Mr West said.

"Geckos get over the control boards in the split systems especially, and urinate on the circuits and this can cause shorting.

"If, during maintenance, householders can direct their maintenance contractors to that problem then it might be of significance."

It is estimated that six fires within our region have been associated with air conditioner faults (not all at the hands of Geckos) in the last few months, including the recent unit fire at Ti Tree Resort in Port Douglas.

Mr West urged owners to have their air conditioners serviced regularly.

"It is especially a problem with air conditioners that as they get older...they can fail. That's a problem with electronic devices in general really."