Relief Plugs Used on Nitrous Oxide Systems and HVAC Service Tools
CPSC Recall #07-263 — August 2, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-263 |
| Recall Date | August 2, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 4,700 |
| Manufacturer | Rehvac Manufacturing Co., of San Antonio, Texas |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| HVAC and Nitrous Oxide systems suppliers and retailers nationwide. The safety plugs for the HVAC pressure testing tools were sold from January 2007 through June 2007 and the safety plugs for the Nitrous Oxide cylinders were sold from August 2006 through June 2007. Each was sold for about $5. |
Product
Relief Plugs Used on Nitrous Oxide Systems and HVAC Service Tools
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Rehvac Manufacturing Co., of San Antonio, Texas, is voluntarily recalling about 4,700 Relief Plugs Used on Nitrous Oxide Systems and HVAC Service Tools. The safety relief plug can allow pressure to build in the cylinder of an HVAC pressure testing tool or Nitrous Oxide system. If the cylinder is overfilled and overheated it can burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers.Name of Product: Relief Plugs Used on Nitrous Oxide Systems and HVAC Service ToolsUnits: About 4,700Manufacturer: Rehvac Manufacturing Co., of San Antonio, TexasHazard: The safety relief plug can allow pressure to build in the cylinder of an HVAC pressure testing tool or Nitrous Oxide system. If the cylinder is overfilled and overheated it can burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a cylinder that was overheated and overfilled and burst. No injuries have been reported.Description: This recall involves the 3000 psi safety plugs used in the cylinders of Nitrous Oxide systems and in HVAC pressure testing tools. The Nitrous Oxide systems are used as gas boosters for motor vehicles. The plugs are nickel-plated. The number "3000" is stamped on the face of the plug.Sold at: HVAC and Nitrous Oxide systems suppliers and retailers nationwide. The safety plugs for the HVAC pressure testing tools were sold from January 2007 through June 2007 and the safety plugs for the Nitrous Oxide cylinders were sold from August 2006 through June 2007. Each was sold for about $5.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the cylinders that contain the recalled plugs and place them in a cool location. Consumers should contact Rehvac for a free replacement plug.Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Rehvac at (800) 856-5668 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company's website at www.oemregs.com.
Hazard
The safety relief plug can allow pressure to build in the cylinder of an HVAC pressure testing tool or Nitrous Oxide system. If the cylinder is overfilled and overheated it can burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received one report of a cylinder that was overheated and overfilled and burst. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the cylinders that contain the recalled plugs and place them in a cool location. Consumers should contact Rehvac for a free replacement plug.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.