FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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October 10, 1985 |
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Release # 85-050 |
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Tappan To Repair Cooktops
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, the Tappan Company, Mansfield, Ohio, today announced
a repair program to correct a possible fire hazard on certain gas
surface cooktops produced between 1971 and 1982 under the Tappan,
O'Keefe & Merritt and Montgomery Ward "Signature" brands.
The program will include a notification to more than 7,000 independent
Tappan service organizations nationwide and will also include consumer
advertisements in Southern California and Neveda,
where approximately 65,000 of the 113,000 units produced may be in
use, particularly in mobile home applications.
The problem involves an assembly supplied to Tappan by Robertshaw
Controls Company of Richmond,.Virginia, in which metal clamps used
to secure the top burner valves to the gas manifold may experience
excessive corrosion and potential breakage. Should this occur, the
gas valve can break away from the manifold, permitting, gas to escape
and leading to the possibility of fire.
Approximately 50 incidents of breakage, some of which involved
gas leaks and fire, have been attributed to this situation.
The ranges involved are all four-burner gas surface units. The
Tappan/O'Keefe & Merritt model numbers are: Z-14-3622; 14-3621;
Z-14-6311; 14-6311 and 14-3671. The Mongtomery Ward "Signature"
models are: KTM-3966; KTM-3963 and KTM-3960. Only approximately
3,500 of the units involved were produced under the Mongtomery Ward
"Signature" brand.
Consumers who have one of these units should call Tappan at
l-800-624-2209. In California call l-800-841-6243.
To find the model number, lift the cooktop; the model number will
be on a label at the left rear corner of the burner box (see attached
drawing).
Free inspection and repair will be made.
Only built-in, four burner gas cooktops are involved. Other
Tappan/O'Keefe & Merritt and Mongtomery Ward "Signature" ranges are
not involved.
Consumers may call the CPSC toll-free Hotline for information
at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing-impaired
is 800-638-8270.
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