Cimberio Gas Ball Valve
CPSC Recall #05-569 — May 4, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-569 |
| Recall Date | May 4, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions |
| Units Affected | About 20,000 in inventory |
| Manufacturer | Cimberio S.p.A., of Via Torchio, Italy |
| Importer | Dormont Manufacturing Company, of Export, Pa. |
| Manufactured In | Italy |
Where It Was Sold
| Various retailers and plumbing product suppliers from 1997 to 2004. |
Product
Cimberio Gas Ball Valve
Description
This inventory retrieval involves valves manufactured by Cimberio: ?" FIP x 5/8" OD (15/16"-16 thread) Gas Ball Valve; ?" FIP x ?" FIP Gas Ball Valve; ?" FIP x ?" FIP Gas Ball Valve with Side Tap; ?" FIP x ?" FIP Gas Ball Valve with Square Head. All affected valves as described here have a red handle and have various markings on the valve body. See www.dormont.com for photographs of the affected valves.
Hazard
When one of these valves is closed, it could open up slightly. If the gas supply is on, gas will leak from the inlet port through the ball/seat and travel through the outlet port. If the valve is not connected to an appliance and is not capped or plugged as required by the National Fuel Gas Code Section 6.7.2.1, leaking gas will escape into the air. However, subsequent testing confirms that this potential for a gas leak is eliminated as gas flows through the valve. As a result, there is no risk with installed valves.
Incidents & Injuries
None
Remedy Instructions
Return any affected products that remain in inventory to Dormont.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions 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 (New Instructions) at no cost to you.
Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.
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.