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CPSC, Kidde Announce Recall of Industrial Fire Extinguishers

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Recall Date:
July 26, 2005

Recall Details

July 26, 2005
Alert #05-589		  

The following product safety recall was conducted voluntarily by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. 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: Kidde 10 lb. industrial dry chemical fire extinguishers with black plastic Zytel® nylon valves in steel cylinders manufactured between 1991 and 2000.

Units: About 470,000

Manufacturer: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.

Hazard: The nylon valves on these extinguishers can separate from the steel cylinder during the 6-year recharge service or shortly afterwards creating a safety hazard to fire extinguisher service personnel and consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Kidde has received five reports of valve separation during either technical service of the units or shortly afterwards, resulting in three reports of injuries.

Description: This Alert involves all Kidde 10 lb. dry chemical fire extinguishers manufactured with a black plastic Zytel® nylon valve assembly and a steel cylinder between 1991 and 2000. These units were the subject of Kidde Service Bulletin 007 issued on July 21, 2004. These units were designed for commercial and industrial applications, and the majority of these units were placed into service in factories, plants, businesses and other commercial locations as they require service by a qualified Fire Extinguisher Distributor or Service Organization every 6 years. Some of these units are in use in residential settings. The affected extinguishers have a steel cylinder with a welded neck ring and are between 19 to 21 inches tall as depicted in the image below. This Alert does not apply to Kidde's smaller 2 1/2 and 5 lb. residential fire extinguishers.

Sold at: Commercial fire equipment distributors and stores nationwide between 1991 and 2000.

Manufactured in: United States.

Remedy: Fire Extinguisher Distributors and Service Organizations must immediately stop servicing all units covered under this Alert. Kidde has instituted a Fire Extinguisher Replacement Program ("Replacement Program") for all units covered by this Alert. If you are a Fire Extinguisher Distributor or Service Organization and you have not already received a copy of the Replacement Program, as outlined in Service Bulletin 007, please contact the number below. Only professional Fire Extinguisher Distributors and Service Organizations should remove the affected units and the steps as outlined in the Replacement Program must be followed.

Consumer Contact: Fire Extinguisher Distributors and Service Organizations should contact Kidde at 1-877-777-8170 between 8 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday to participate in Kidde's Replacement Program. Only professional Fire Extinguisher Distributors and Service Organizations should call this number. Consumers who suspect that they may possess one of the industrial units covered by this Alert should not remove the unit and should contact Kidde at (800) 631-7377 between 8 AM and 5 PM ET Monday through Friday. Units should not be returned to place of purchase. More information can also be obtained by visiting Kidde's Web site at www.kiddeus.com and referencing Kidde Service Bulletin 007 and Recall Alert.

Firm's Media Contact: Emily Lauer, Account Manager, Phone: 216-298-4960, elauer@edwardhoward.com

Affected model - Steel cylinder with welded neck ring & nylon valve - Remove from service

Non-affected model - Aluminum cylinder, with nylon valve, has taper neck and no welded neck ring - Leave in service

Extinguisher Height Comparison

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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About the U.S. CPSC

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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