TAPPEN — A Shuswap company that makes manufactured homes is under the microscope.
The BC Safety Authority (BCSA) has issued a warning to customers or occupants of homes made by Riske Creek Trailers because the homes are not in compliance with safety codes.
“BCSA has identified numerous instances of mobile homes being sold by Riske Creek and Andy Tower that do not comply with gas or electrical certification standards and may be hazardous for occupants,” says provincial gas safety manager, Wayne Lock.
The BCSA says Riske Creek is prohibited from using the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label, however, some of their trailers have been found with CSA labels or no labels at all.
The BCSA is asking owners or occupants to contact them immediately.
“Uncertified installation of gas appliances creates risks such as fire or carbon monoxide poisoning which can be fatal,” says Lock.
The BCSA says there’s also a risk of fire or electrical shock because the trailers are not certified.
“Based on the hazards and number of uncertified trailers discovered to date, there is an urgent need for occupants of these trailers to have the gas and electrical equipment assessed for safety by qualified gas and electrical contractors,” says Lock.
OWNER DENIES ALLEGATIONS
Andy Tower acknowledges some of his homes are not certified by the Canadian Standards Association but claims they are safety certified by another agency which he won’t identify.
However, Wayne Lock of the BC Safety Authority says in this province, the only safety standards for mobile homes that are accepted are those of the CSA.
Tower also denies his homes have been found with unauthorized CSA labels or no labels at all.
The BC Safety Authority says it has identified about two dozen Riske Creek homes that have been sold that are not CSA approved.
The agency suspects there are others it doesn’t know about and wants to hear from the owners.
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