Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves

CPSC Recall #02-163 — May 15, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-163
Recall DateMay 15, 2002
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedApproximately 600
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Seismic Safety Products sold the valves to plumbers in the Olympia
Tacoma
and Seattle
Wash. areas from February 2001 through April 2001 for between $200 and $300. The company also sold these valves on their website at www.seismic-safety.com.

Product

Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Seismic Safety Products Inc., a subsidiary of Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Inc., both of Wenatchee, Wash., is voluntarily recalling approximately 600 Earthquake gas shut-off valves. These gas valves could stick in the open position allowing gas to flow freely, which poses a risk of serious injury to consumers from fire and explosion during an earthquake.Seismic Safety Products has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recalled Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves are about 3-1/2 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high by 2 inches deep. The valves' bodies are made of aluminum and are coated with a blue color. The recalled valves have a white reset knob in the front that reads, "Northridge 2000 Valve" and a white label on the back that reads in part, "Models M75 [or M100], ASCE 25-97, RR#5370, CSA-OSA, 2 PSI Max Gas Flow." These valves were manufactured in the United States.Seismic Safety Products sold the valves to plumbers in the Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle, Wash. areas from February 2001 through April 2001 for between $200 and $300. The company also sold these valves on their website at www.seismic-safety.com.Consumers should contact Seismic Safety Products immediately at (800) 948-3782 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday to have their shut-off valve replaced free of charge. For more information, consumers also can write to: Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Inc., 430 Olds Station Road, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

Hazard

These gas valves could stick in the open position allowing gas to flow freely, which poses a risk of serious injury to consumers from fire and explosion during an earthquake.

Incidents & Injuries

Seismic Safety Products has not received any reports of incidents.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should contact Seismic Safety Products immediately at (800) 948-3782 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday to have their shut-off valve replaced free of charge.

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.