yes agreed.. and honestly, i dont work for a manufacturer. Im actually an ex sound engineer and now work as a search engine specialist. I work on a lot of cars in my spare time and run a technical owners club.. hence why i know a bit about cats.
BUT i do like to research things thoroughly.. i was given stories of how these fires are dangerous due directly to the cats failing.. when the fact of the matter is that thats just rubbish.
From what people have said on here, the underlying problem has been the fire, and not the cat. There is one example of a cat sooting up, but this could take years apparently.. and any sensible person would have them inspected during this time period anyway. If they dont, well yes then thats asking for trouble.
I'd already said i'm going to get it serviced and insepcted regularly, i've already said i'll get the vent sorted properly. And i will be making sure that all readings are in spec before i use it.
So, that just leaves the cat failing of its own accord due to melting or disintegration, which, as i've already stated, just doesnt happen without significant outside influences, ones which a gas fire simply cannot create.
So, yes, i'll be using the fire.. but yes, i'll get the checks done.
Ps no it didnt come from B+Q, i got it from a gas fire showroom, who incidentally had several of these things buring away when i was walking round.