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The vent dampers might close if soot builds up and results in chimney fire. This could force smoke and flue gasses back into the house, which may present a risk of death or injury from inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide.
Approximately 36,000
Consumers may call Fireplace Technologies at (800) 737-1067 for a free retrofit kit.
Recall Details
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- CPSC, Fireplace Technologies Inc., of Louisville, Ky., is announcing a program to provide free kits to modify approximately 36,000 LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets. The vent dampers might close if soot builds up and results in chimney fire. This could force smoke and flue gasses back into the house, which may present a risk of death or injury from inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide.
Although no injuries have been reported, CPSC is aware of two incidents in which the vent closed during chimney fires, potentially exposing consumers to hazardous smoke and carbon monoxide.
The box-shaped LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap is 8 inches tall and has a hollow square, cast aluminum base ranging in size from 8 inches by 8 inches to 17 inches by 17 inches, depending on the model. The product's collapsible sides are connected to a solid cast aluminum lid.
The device can be permanently mounted to the top of a chimney and functions as both a damper and a chimney cap. The products were sold through chimney sweeps and wood fuel appliance contractors from December 1989 to the present.
Consumers who have a LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets should contact the chimney sweep or contractor who installed the unit or call Fireplace Technologies at (800) 737-1067 for a free retrofit kit. The retrofit kit will be installed at no cost to the consumer and will prevent the vent from closing during chimney fires. All new LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets purchased after May 15, 1995 will have the kit permanently incorporated into the unit.
Consumers who have a LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets should contact the chimney sweep or contractor who installed the unit or call Fireplace Technologies at (800) 737-1067 for a free retrofit kit. The retrofit kit will be installed at no cost to the consumer and will prevent the vent from closing during chimney fires.
Although no injuries have been reported, CPSC is aware of two incidents in which the vent closed during chimney fires, potentially exposing consumers to hazardous smoke and carbon monoxide.
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
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The blocked vent switch (BVS) can fail to shut down the burners if the boilers are installed at altitudes above 2,000 feet and the vent system becomes blocked. In such an event, the boiler can emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide into the building, posing a carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning hazard to consumers.
The blocked vent switch (BVS) can fail to shut down the burners if the boilers are installed at altitudes above 5,400 feet and the vent system becomes blocked. In such an event, the boiler can emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide into the home, posing a carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning hazard to consumers.
The sounders and strobes can malfunction and cause the fire alarm system to fail to alert consumers of a fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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