Home & Garden

Explosion/Projectiles

Honeywell-V5130 Gas Valve Announcing Issuance Of Complaint NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 1984 Release # 84-027 Honeywell-V5130 Gas Valve Announcing Issuance Of Complaint Washington, D.C.-- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces that its staff has issued an administrative complaint against Honeywell, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn., which alleges that Honeywell's V5130 gas combination control valves contain a defect which, when used with LP gas water heaters, presents a substantial risk of injury to the public from fires and explosions. The Commission has learned of approximately 64 explosion incidents involving this control valve-- including 16 deaths and approximately 35 incidents of personal injury to consumers. The complaint is limited to valves used in water heaters fueled by LP gas. Since LP gas is heavier than air, it does not vent easily and, in the case of a leak, tends to settle toward the floor, accumulate there, and may lead to an explosion when touched off by a nearby ignition source. The combination valve serves the dual purpose of regulating the gas supplied to the water heater and the safety function of shutting off the gas supply when the pilot light becomes extinguished. The complaint alleges that the design of the valve knob, which utilizes plastic lugs keyed into the metal slots of the gas cock, is defective. It maintains that V5130 controls which were made between 1958 and 1976, have knobs that can be easily worn and broken such that the knob can become reversed (rotated 180°) with respect to the gas cock. Should this happen, the knob could become stuck in the depressed position and defeat the pilot-flame safety system. Thereafter, if the pilot flame should go out, the water cools, the thermostat calls for heat, and the control valve opens to heat the water. As a result, substantial quantities of unburned gas will be released through the pilot and main burners and create a serious explosion and/or fire hazard. This control was used on various water heaters manufactured by numerous different manufacturers. Some of the controls are identifiable by the Honeywell name on the front faceplate. Others may only have the name of the water heater manufacturer. The consumer may need to consult his LP gas supplier or a qualified plumber to get positive identification of the valve. Persons who become aware of explosion or fire incidents that may be associated with this product should contact the CPSC on its toll-free Hotline 800-638-CPSC. Information regarding this matter may also be obtained by calling the CPSC toll-free Hotline. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (301) 595-7054.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

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.

Poisoning

Explosion/Projectiles

Poisoning