Robertshaw Controls

Explosion/Projectiles

LP Gas Water Heater Controls Warning/Correction NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 1981 Release # 81-005 Robertshaw Company Issues New Warning On Explosion Hazard In 1,000 LP Gas Water Heater Controls WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 29, 1981) -- The manufacturer of "Unitrol" fuel control mechanisms used on certain liquid propane gas water heaters is renewing its efforts to publicize and correct a potential defect which may cause severe burn injuries and death resulting from explosion and fires. Since 1954, when the fuel controls first were sold to hot water heater manufacturers, there have been at least 48 deaths and 89 severe burn injuries from explosions of water heaters equipped with these gas controls. The program to replace the old gas controls with new ones is being conducted by the Robertshaw Controls Company of Richmond, Va., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The manufacturer also is reissuing a national alert to warn consumers of the severe risk posed by continued use of water heaters equipped with the controls. The warning covers the "Unitrol" model 110 and model 200 gas controls used to regulate the flow of LP (liquid propane) gas to water heaters. These controls, manufactured about 25 years ago by Robertshaw's Grayson Controls division, of Long Beach, California, contain a potentially defective valve which could cause a gas leak and subsequent explosion and fire. Approximately 1,000 of the potentially defective controls still are believed to be in use nationwide. Many of these controls may be found on water heaters located in rural areas, such as in farm homes, in vacation or weekend homes, or in hunting or fishing camps. (LP gas commonly is used to fuel appliances in rural areas due to the unavailability of natural gas lines.) The potentially defective controls were sold to approximately 110 water heater manufacturers from December, 1954, through February, 1957. The controls include Unitrol models 110 and 200 showing any date code which includes the letters W or X, or the letter combinations LV, AY, BY or CY. Consumers can identify the affected units by looking for "Unitrol 110" on the face of the control, or for "Unitrol 200" on the temperature dial on the front of the control. The controls are located near the bottom of the water heater. Date codes are stamped next to the gas pilot outlet which is located on the bottom side of the control and to the right. Use of a small mirror will aid consumers in reading the date code more easily. In 1974, Robertshaw notified CPSC of the potential defect in the gas controls, and subsequently instituted a program to repair the devices. Consumers who own LP gas water heaters should check the heater control to determine if a Unitrol model 110 or 200 with a date code mentioned above has been used. If so, consumers then should contact Robertshaw at its toll-free number 800-421-1130. In California call 800-262-1173. Following a free inspection, the firm will install new controls if appropriate. Anyone wishing to verify the model numbers or the brand name should contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Gas & Electric Dryers Manufactured by Lux Time Co. Warning NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 15, 1974 Release # 74-008 CPSC Issues Warning Of Electric Shock Hazard In Gas And Electric Dryers WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb.15)--The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers that approximately 3,000 gas and electric clothes dryers manufactured after November 8, 1973, and sold in the past four months may have potentially defective timers capable of causing fatal electric shock. Owners of the suspect units are urged to immediately unplug the dryer, being careful not to touch any metal surfaces. The model and serial number may be located by opening the door of the clothes dryer and looking at the upper lefthand corner of the door well. The timers were manufactured by Lux Time Company of Connecticut, a division of Robertshaw Controls Company, and were sold to the Franklin Manufacturing Company, Webster City, Iowa, which, in turn, sold them to the six dryer manufacturers. The Franklin Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of White Consolidated of Cleveland, Ohio, reported the defect to the Commission February 12, and has directed its customers to halt delivery on the dryers. The firm has advised consumers who may have purchased any of the dryers in question to contact the dealer from whom it was purchased for inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the control at no cost to the customer. For further information, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission toll-free hot line (800) 638-2772. Customer Brand Name # Units Model # Serial #'s Kelvinator, Inc. Kelvinator 1,569 DE640GA DE522GW DE522GC DE522GH DE522GA 042210 & 042292 037466 - 041533 037198 - 040199 037696 - 041287 036604 - 040842 WT Grant Bradford 870 78-196 78-303 78-204 78-212 78-287 42119 - 43469 40221 - 42711 41325 - 43669 38839 - 43368 42318 - 42416 Admiral Corp. Admiral 479 LDE 1833 LDG 1833 LDE 1835 3058824 - 3067520 3061381 - 3068230 3067699 - 3067760 3065180 Hamilton Appliance Co. Hamilton 175 DS 253W DP 253W DS 153W 33057 & 33107 32710 - 32884 32912 - 33319 Gamble-Skogmo Coronado 158 45-1203 45-1223 12328 - 12427 12228 - 12319 Kalvinator Sales of Puerto Rico Kelvinator 126 DE522G-W DE522G-H DE522G-A DE522G-C 038421 - 038490 039078 - 039107 036584 - 036603 037240 - 040194