CPSC, Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. Announce Recall to Repair Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners

Product: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) units. The PTAC units are mainly used in hotels, schools and nursing homes.

Units: About 26,400 PTAC units and about 1,600 replacement heater assemblies used in repairs.

Manufacturer: Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., of San Antonio, Texas.

Hazard: The rotary dial switch on these units can be positioned between the high and low speed fan setting. This can cause the units to overheat and possibly catch fire.

Incidents/Injuries: Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. has received 60 reports of units overheating, including nine reports of fires resulting in property damage. One incident at a nursing home resulted in a resident suffering smoke inhalation.

Description: The recall includes all PTAC units in the P series with dates of manufacture between November 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003. The model and serial numbers are written on the nameplate, found behind the plastic front cover, directly below the control panel. Units with serial number LBLP00001 through LCMP9999 are included in the recall. Also included in the recall are "P Series" units that were serviced between June 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003, in which service included the field replacement of the heater assembly. The Friedrich "P Series" PTAC is a light beige color with the "FRIEDRICH" logo on the panel door.

Sold to: Commercial customers, such as property owners or construction and air conditioning contractors by Friedrich or its manufacturer's representatives directly. They also were sold through local, regional and national HVAC distributors primarily to commercial customers. These PTAC units were sold throughout the U.S. between November 2002 and December 2003 for about $500 to $600.

Manufactured in: U.S.A.

Remedy: Owners of these units should contact Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. for instructions on receiving a free repair. Until the repair is made, consumers should not use the PTACs in the heating mode.

Consumer Contact: To schedule a free, on-site repair, call (800) 664-5698 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. For any other PTAC recall related matters, call Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. at (866) 585-2366. Additionally, consumers can submit a "PTAC Heater Recall Information Form" on the Internet at

www.Friedrich.com. Consumers also can email the firm at PTACrecall@friedrich.com. Owners of these units sold by Friedrich will be notified about this recall. Friedrich also is working with its distributors to locate other owners.