The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Simpson Dura-Vent Company Inc., of Vacaville, CA announced a voluntary recall of the DuraTech Anchor Plate with Damper and DuraChimney II Anchor Plate with Damper. Consumers should stop using these products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Although there have been no incidents or injuries reported, the indicated hazard is that When the consumer attempts to open or close the damper, it can become stuck in its current position. In addition, some of the dampers were assembled backwards and are set to the closed position when the consumer attempts to open the damper. Both pose risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to the consumer.

This recall involves DuraTech Anchor Plates with Dampers and DuraChimney II Anchor Plates with Dampers. The products are intended for use as a starter section for chimneys in fireplace applications. The dampers allow the chimney to be closed when the fireplace is not in use.

Each damper is a short sheet metal vent pipe fitted with a circular damper plate within the vent pipe, and attached to a square anchor plate. The damper plate rotates around an axis rod to control the flow of air through the vent pipe. The damper plates have a weight attached to one side, and a chain attached to the other side. When installed in a fireplace application, the square anchor plate is generally not visible.

The DuraTech Anchor Plate with Damper was manufactured in five sizes, as follows:

Product Description              Product Number
10″ diameter DuraTech Damper    99142
12″ diameter DuraTech Damper    99242
14″ diameter DuraTech Damper    99342
16″ diameter DuraTech Damper    99442
18″ diameter DuraTech Damper    99542

The DuraChimney II Anchor Plate with Damper was manufactured in four sizes, as follows:

Product Description                Product Number
10″ diameter DuraChimney Damper    10DCA-APD
12″ diameter DuraChimney Damper    12DCA-APD
14″ diameter DuraChimney Damper    14DCA-APD
16″ diameter DuraChimney Damper    16DCA-APD

Sold from January 2007 through May 2008 for between $100 to $150, depending on the model and size.

Consumers should ensure that their damper is in the open position when the fireplace is in use. Consumers or distributors with defective fireplace dampers should contact Dura-Vent to schedule a free repair. The remaining unrepaired recalled dampers were distributed in Washington and California. Consumers and distributors whose dampers were previously inspected and repaired do not need to schedule an additional inspection.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers can contact Simpson Dura-Vent at (866) 860-7908 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.duravent.com

Wood Fireplace Insert

Technorati Tags: damper, fireplace safety, recall

As consumers turn to alternative methods of heating such as wood stoves, wood-burning fireplace inserts, and wood-burning furnaces may attempt to do the installation or service work themselves. “One of the biggest mistakes is not installing a properly sized flue liner with a fireplace insert,” says Marge Padgitt, Educational Director for the MCSC. “If the liner is too large it can cause excessive flammable creosote accumulation, which can lead to a chimney fire.”

Most house fires related to heating appliances are due to improper installation and maintenance, so consumers are encouraged to wait until a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep can inspect and sweep the chimney rather than doing it themselves or hiring an unqualified chimney company.

Fireplace flues should typically be inspected and cleaned annually. Wood stoves or inserts used for heating should be inspected and cleaned at least twice during the wood-burning season. Some manufacturers recommend sweeping the chimney once per month so check your owners manual for details. Furnace/hot water heater flues should be inspected annually for clogs by debris or nests, or breaks or gaps in the flue liner that could pose a Carbon Monoxide hazard.

Visit the MCSC website at http//www.mcsc-net.org Midwest Chimney Safety Council for free consumer information.

Technorati Tags: fireplace safety, wood fireplace insert, wood insert safety