FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2008
Release #08-199
Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 746 8344
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Rinnai Recalls Wall Furnaces Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE
556
Units: About 52,000
Manufacturer: Rinnai America Corp., of Peachtree City, Ga.
Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous
carbon
monoxide gas leaking into the home.
Incidents/Injuries: Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide
leaking from the furnace. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Rinnai EnergySaver Direct-Vent Wall
Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556. They are either natural gas or
LP gas (propane) fueled. The following model numbers are included in
the
recall:
Model RHFE-431: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P, WTA-72B-N, WTA-76B-N
Model RHFE-556: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P
The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on
the right side of the unit. The recall includes only those units
manufactured from February 2000 through December 2007. The
manufacturing
date code is the first four digits of the serial number, written as YY
MM, and is located at the bottom of the rating plate.
Sold through: Wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and
dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and
$1,900.
Manufactured in: Japan
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact
the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free
at (866) 746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm's Web site at
www.wallfurnacerecall.com
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the
recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08199.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting
the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more
than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents
cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure
the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools,
cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly
to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with
consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270,
or
visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email
subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.
Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web
site at www.cpsc.gov |
