Robertshaw FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves (installed in commercial cooking appl...
CPSC Recall #06-222 — August 1, 2006
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 06-222 |
| Recall Date | August 1, 2006 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 7,800 |
| Manufacturer | Robertshaw Controls Co., of West Plains, Mo. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Original equipment manufacturers and food service equipment dealers to commercial food service providers (such as restaurants) nationwide from August 2005 through June 2006 for the FS Flame Switches and from April 2006 through June 2006 for FM Automatic Valves. Consumers who had cooking equipment installed or serviced before August 2005 are not affected. |
Product
Robertshaw FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves (installed in commercial cooking appliances)
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Robertshaw Controls Co., of West Plains, Mo., is voluntarily recalling about 7,800 Robertshaw FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves (installed in commercial cooking appliances). These controls are designed to prevent gas from flowing when the pilot light is out. The recalled controls can remain on after the pilot light is extinguished. If this happens, gas can continue to flow to the main burner of the appliance, which poses a risk of a gas explosion and fire.Name of Product: Robertshaw FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves (installed in commercial cooking appliances)Units: About 7,800Manufacturer: Robertshaw Controls Co., of West Plains, Mo.Hazard: These controls are designed to prevent gas from flowing when the pilot light is out. The recalled controls can remain on after the pilot light is extinguished. If this happens, gas can continue to flow to the main burner of the appliance, which poses a risk of a gas explosion and fire.Incidents/Injuries: Robertshaw Controls Co. has received one report of a gas ignition incident, which resulted in two minor injuries.Description: The FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves being recalled are installed on natural and liquid propane (LP) gas commercial cooking equipment, such as ranges, pasta cookers, deep fat fryers or griddles. The recalled FS Flame Switches were installed on the following commercial cooking equipment brands: Keating (of Chicago), PMI Food Equipment Group, Vulcan, Southbend, Blodgett, Toastmaster, and Wolf Range. The recalled FM Automatic Safety Valves were installed on the following commercial cooking equipment brands: Bari (Restaurant and Pizzeria), Southbend, and Blodgett. The model and/or serial numbers can be found on the cooking appliance identification plate located on the appliance. For a list of appliances with recalled switches and valves, visit www.robertshaw.com.Sold by: Original equipment manufacturers and food service equipment dealers to commercial food service providers (such as restaurants) nationwide from August 2005 through June 2006 for the FS Flame Switches and from April 2006 through June 2006 for FM Automatic Valves. Consumers who had cooking equipment installed or serviced before August 2005 are not affected.Manufactured In: United StatesRemedy: Consumers who believe they could have recalled safety valves on their cooking appliances should contact Robertshaw Controls Co. who will arrange for a free replacement, if necessary. If you smell gas near the appliance or in the building, immediately leave the area and call your gas company or a certified gas technician to investigate the cause.Consumer Contact: For more information, call Robertshaw Controls Co. toll-free at (800) 232-9389 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.robertshaw.com to review a list of the appliances with recalled switches and valves.
Hazard
These controls are designed to prevent gas from flowing when the pilot light is out. The recalled controls can remain on after the pilot light is extinguished. If this happens, gas can continue to flow to the main burner of the appliance, which poses a risk of a gas explosion and fire.
Incidents & Injuries
Robertshaw Controls Co. has received one report of a gas ignition incident, which resulted in two minor injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers who believe they could have recalled safety valves on their cooking appliances should contact Robertshaw Controls Co. who will arrange for a free replacement, if necessary. If you smell gas near the appliance or in the building, immediately leave the area and call your gas company or a certified gas technician to investigate the cause.
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.