In many UK homes where space is at a premium, the boiler cupboard often doubles as a storage area for items ranging from towels and bed linen to cleaning products. However, experts are raising the alarm that this habit could be putting households at significant risk of fire.
Joanna Flowers, a Service and Repair Engineer at British Gas, shed light on the potential hazards of keeping certain things in your boiler cupboard, some of which might not have crossed your mind as dangerous. She said: “First and foremost, flammable items such as clothes, linens, paint tins or even cleaning supplies should never be stored in close proximity to a boiler. These items can pose a fire risk, especially in the enclosed space of a boiler cupboard where temperatures can fluctuate.”
The engineer identified one particular practice that could be particularly dangerous for families. Joanna cautioned homeowners against hanging clothes over or near the boiler. She said: “It may seem convenient to drape jackets, coats, or even towels over the boiler or on the back of its cupboard door, but this poses a serious fire risk.
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“Hanging clothes or fabrics could accidentally fall onto the boiler which could lead to overheating, creating the perfect conditions for a fire,” she added, reports the Express.
“Even if items don’t fall directly onto the boiler, they can obstruct vital ventilation or airflow, making it harder for the boiler to work efficiently. For safety reasons, it’s best to avoid storing or hanging clothes near the boiler altogether.”
Adequate space around the boiler is also crucial for proper ventilation. To ensure safety, nothing should touch the boiler, and its surrounding area should remain clear.
Each boiler model has specific guidelines, typically requiring at least 50 mm clearance from walls and 600 mm of space in front for maintenance. Joanna advises: “For storing other items nearby within the cupboard, a general rule of thumb is to keep these at least 600 mm away from the boiler itself.”
How can you ensure your boiler cupboard is safe?
Joanna concluded by saying: “You can ensure your boiler cupboard is safe for storing items in by conducting regular checks to keep it clean and free of clutter.
“Small things like checking nothing is obstructing vents and that there’s ample space around the boiler can make a big difference in terms of safety and performance.
“The cleaner and more open the space, the better. Always ensure there are no flammable items stored inside the cupboard.”