FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 1998
Release # 98-170
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CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
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CPSC, Urges Seasonal Furnace Inspection, Replacement of Recalled Vent Pipes to Prevent CO Poisonings
WASHINGTON, D.C. - As the home heating season approaches,
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges
consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel-
burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves,
fireplaces, clothes dryers and space heaters -- to detect
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leaks.
These appliances burn fuels -- typically gas, both
natural and liquefied petroleum; kerosene; oil; coal; and
wood. Under certain conditions, these appliances can produce
deadly CO, but with proper installation and maintenance, are
safe to use.
CO is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any
fuel. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to
flu, and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath,
nausea and dizziness. Exposure to high levels of CO can
cause death.
"CO poisoning associated with using fuel-burning
appliances kills more than 200 people each year and sends
about 10,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment,"
said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown.
CPSC recommends the yearly, professional inspection
include checking chimneys, flues and vents for leakage and
blockage by creosote and debris. Leakage through cracks or
holes could cause black stains on the outside of the chimney
or flue. These stains can mean that pollutants are leaking
into the house. Also, have all vents to furnaces, water
heaters, boilers and other fuel-burning appliances checked
to make sure they are not loose or disconnected.
Make sure your appliances are inspected for adequate
ventilation. A supply of fresh air is important to help
carry pollutants up the chimney, stovepipe or flue, and is
necessary for the complete combustion of any fuel. Never
block ventilation air openings.
CPSC recommends that every home should have at least
one CO detector that meets the requirements of the most
recent Underwriters Laboratories 2034 standard or
International Approval Services 6-96 standard.
Consumers should also have the vent pipes on their
heating systems inspected. Earlier this year, virtually the
entire furnace and boiler industry together with the
manufacturers of high-temperature plastic vent (HTPV) pipes
joined with CPSC to announce a vent pipe corrective action
program. The program's purpose is to replace, free of
charge, an estimated 250,000 HTPV pipe systems attached to
gas or propane furnaces or boilers in consumers' homes. The
HTPV pipes could crack or separate at the joints and leak
CO.
Consumers can check the vent pipes attached to their
natural gas or propane furnaces or boilers to determine if
they are part of this recall. They can be identified as
follows: the vent pipes are plastic; the vent pipes are
colored gray or black; and the vent pipes have the names
"Plexvent ," "Plexvent II" or "Ultravent " stamped on the
vent pipe or printed on stickers placed on pieces used to
connect the vent pipes together. Consumers should also check
the location of these vent pipes. For furnaces, only HTPV
systems that have vent pipes that go through the sidewalls
of structures (horizontal systems) are subject to this
program. For boilers, all HTPV systems are subject to this
program. Other plastic vent pipes, such as white PVC or
CPVC, are not involved in this program.
After checking the vent pipes, consumers should call
the Corrective Action Program toll-free at (800) 758-3688,
between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. EDT, seven days a week, to verify
that their appliance venting systems are subject to this
program. Consumers with eligible systems will receive new,
professionally installed venting systems free of charge.
Additionally, consumers who already have replaced their HTPV
pipe systems may be eligible for reimbursement for some or
all of the replacement costs.
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