Gas Leak Detector Fluid

CPSC Recall #75-005 - January 5, 1975

Recall Summary

Recall Number75-005
Recall DateJanuary 5, 1975
Remedy TypeInspect, Repair
Units Affected 1,155 gallons of the solution, in various package sizes, to 117 gas companies.

Product

Gas Leak Detector Fluid

Description

Washington, D.C. --The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today warned consumers, mobile home manufacturers and distributors, and gas companies in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota that a blue colored gas leak detector fluid distributed since 1972 by L.P. Gas Equipment, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota, can corrode brass fittings and lead to hazardous gas leaks and subsequent fires and explosions. Any person or company that has used this detector fluid on brass connectors should have the piping inspected immediately for corrosion or discoloration. The connectors should be replaced as quickly as possible. Consumers in these states who have had gas appliances installed or inspected for leaks since 1972 should contact the company that installed the product or their local gas company for an immediate inspection. The corrosion problem apparently is due to the presence of ammonia in the fluid. A common method of installing gas appliances is to use a flexible brass connector to connect the appliance to rigid piping. If a leak detector fluid containing ammonia is used to check for faulty tube fittings, the ammonia residue can cause cracks and leaks in the brass. These cracks can enlarge over time. The fluid was manufactured by Fremont Industries, Shakopee, Minnesota, for L. P. Gas Equipment, Inc., which sold 1,155 gallons of the solution, in various package sizes, to 117 gas companies. L. P. Gas has asked its purchasers-- none of whom would be consumers -- to discontinue use of the fluid and to destroy existing stocks. The Commission obtained the names of these customers by subpoena and is advising them of the serious nature of the hazard. The Commission also is encouraging immediate inspection and replacement of all fittings that may have been treated with the suspect leak detector fluid. At the same time, the Commission is proceeding with administrative action that could lead to mandatory corrective action by the manufacturer, distributors and retailers of the fluid. The State of Minnesota, Building Code Division, reported the potential problem of the ammonia containing fluid to the Commission's Minneapolis Area Office in September 1974. The Commission consulted with the National Bureau of Standards in order to confirm that the corrosion damage was, or could have been, caused by the ammonia solution.  

Hazard

A blue colored gas leak detector fluid can corrode brass fittings and lead to hazardous gas leaks and subsequent fires and explosions.

Remedy Instructions

Any person or company that has used this detector fluid on brass connectors should have the piping inspected immediately for corrosion or discoloration. The connectors should be replaced as quickly as possible.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, Repair 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 (Inspect, Repair) 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.