Swift 500 series cookers in caravans

What happened?

A person was injured while using a Swift 500 series cooker in a caravan.

The owner of a Queensland registered caravan was using a Swift 500 series cooker while camping in NSW. When the front left burner ignited, the user observed the flame was only on ‘simmer’ despite the control knob being on full. The user moved the cooking pan to the rear right side burner and used the front left burner as a simmer. Within a very short period an explosion occurred, engulfing the user in flames and causing severe burn injuries. RSHQ is working with other gas regulators and the manufacturer, Swift Appliance Group, to implement a national recall.

How did it happen?

An examination of the Swift 500 series cooking appliance identified a failure point in the internal piping at the outlet connection point of the front left control valve. The failure point caused gas to leak within the appliance and the leaking gas tracked to an undetermined ignition source and ignited, causing burn injuries to the person using the appliance.

Key issues

Gas leaked when the control valve was turned on and ignited.
The gas leak within the appliance did not easily disperse and tracked to an ignition source.
There were no visible signs of fatigue prior to failure.

Recommendations

Update as of 21 July 2022

Owners of caravans and recreational vehicles should check the date of manufacture of their Swift 500 series cooking appliance.

Date of manufacture	Recommendation
On or after 1 June 2020	Not subject to the recall and consumers can use these cookers in line with the instructions provided with the appliance.
Between 1 January 2019 and 31 May 2020 (inclusive)	Cookers within this date range are subject to the recall. DO NOT USE THE FRONT LEFT BURNER. Consumers should ensure the front left burner control knob is in the off position and then remove the knob to ensure the burner is not used. For further information about the recall, contact Swift Appliance Group or the ACCC website (search for '500 series cooker').
Before 31 December 2018 (inclusive)	The supplier is currently investigating appliances manufactured prior to 31 December 2018. DO NOT USE THE FRONT LEFT BURNER. Consumers should ensure the front left burner control knob is in the off position and then remove the knob to ensure the burner is not used.

If you smell gas, turn off the gas immediately at the cylinders and contact a gas work licence holder to check the gas system and all gas appliances for safe and correct operation.

Investigations are ongoing and further information may be published as it becomes available. The information in this publication is what is known at the time of writing.

We issue Safety Notices to draw attention to the occurrence of a serious incident, raise awareness of risks, and prompt assessment of your existing controls.

References and further information

Further information is available on the Swift Appliance Group website.
Information on the recall is available at Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (accc.gov.au).
Other gas safety and health information is available on the Petroleum Gas Inspectorate website.
This safety alert will be updated when more information is available.

Authorised by Bill Date - Chief Inspector – Petroleum & Gas

Contact: Paul Beaumont, Principal Inspector, Gas Work and Devices , +61 7 3199 8027 gassafe@rshq.qld.gov.au

Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland

Safety: This information is issued to promote safety through experience. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to waive or modify any legal obligation.

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