FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2010
Release #10-176 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 860-7908
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Simpson Dura-Vent Recalls Fireplace Dampers Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of product: DuraTech Anchor Plate with Damper and DuraChimney II Anchor Plate with Damper
Units: About 500
Manufacturer: Simpson Dura-Vent Company Inc., of Vacaville, Calif.
Hazard: When the consumer attempts to open/close the damper, it can become stuck in its current position. In addition, some of the dampers were assembled backwards and are set to the closed position when the consumer attempts to open the damper. Both pose risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the consumer.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves DuraTech Anchor Plates with Dampers and DuraChimney II Anchor Plates with Dampers. The products are intended for use as a starter section for chimneys in fireplace applications. The dampers allow the chimney to be closed when the fireplace is not in use. Each damper is a short sheet metal vent pipe fitted with a circular damper plate within the vent pipe, and attached to a square anchor plate. The damper plate rotates around an axis rod to control the flow of air through the vent pipe. The damper plates have a weight attached to one side, and a chain attached to the other side. When installed in a fireplace application, the square anchor plate is generally not visible.
The DuraTech Anchor Plate with Damper was manufactured in five sizes, as follows:
| Dura-Vent Product Description | Dura-Vent Product Number |
| 10" diameter DuraTech Damper |
99142 |
| 12" diameter DuraTech Damper |
99242 |
| 14" diameter DuraTech Damper |
99342 |
| 16" diameter DuraTech Damper |
99442 |
| 18" diameter DuraTech Damper |
99542 |
The DuraChimney II Anchor Plate with Damper was manufactured in four sizes, as follows:
| Dura-Vent Product Description | Dura-Vent Product Number |
| 10" diameter DuraChimney Damper |
10DCA-APD |
| 12" diameter DuraChimney Damper |
12DCA-APD |
| 14" diameter DuraChimney Damper |
14DCA-APD |
| 16" diameter DuraChimney Damper |
16DCA-APD |
Sold by: Dura-Vent distributors to fireplace/chimney contractors and by installers to home builders nationwide from January 2007 through May 2008 for between $100 to $150, depending on the model and size.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should ensure that their damper is in the open position when the fireplace is in use. Consumers or distributors with defective fireplace dampers should contact Dura-Vent to schedule a free repair. The remaining unlocated recalled dampers were distributed in Washington, California, and Colorado. Consumers and distributors whose dampers were previously inspected and repaired do not need to schedule an additional inspection.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Simpson Dura-Vent at (866) 860-7908 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.duravent.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.