Carbon Monoxide Risk Prompts Fireplace Damper Recall

Posted on Mar 26, 2010 in Appliance

A fireplace damper recall has been issued due to a  carbon monoxide poisoning risk, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc., of Vacaville, California is recalling certain DuraTech Anchor Plates with dampers and DuraChimney II Anchor Plates with dampers because they may not have been assembled correctly or may be defective.

Opening and closing the damper may result in the damper becoming stuck. Some dampers were assembled backwards as well. Both of these defects can result in a lack of proper chimney / fireplace ventilation, which can pose a carbon monoxide poisoning hazard. The CPSC provided the following description of the recalled fireplace dampers:

“Each damper is a short sheet metal vent pipe fitted with a circular damper plate within the vent pipe, and attached to a square anchor plate. The damper plate rotates around an axis rod to control the flow of air through the vent pipe. The damper plates have a weight attached to one side, and a chain attached to the other side. When installed in a fireplace application, the square anchor plate is generally not visible.”

Carbon Monoxide Risk Recall Product Information

DuraTech Anchor Plate with Damper Information:

Dura-Vent Product Description	Dura-Vent Product Number
10″ diameter DuraTech Damper	99142
12″ diameter DuraTech Damper	99242
14″ diameter DuraTech Damper	99342
16″ diameter DuraTech Damper	99442
18″ diameter DuraTech Damper	99542

DuraChimney II Anchor Plate with Damper Information:

Dura-Vent Product Description	Dura-Vent Product Number
10″ diameter DuraChimney Damper	10DCA-APD
12″ diameter DuraChimney Damper	12DCA-APD
14″ diameter DuraChimney Damper	14DCA-APD
16″ diameter DuraChimney Damper	16DCA-APD

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home

Some simple steps you can take, as recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health.

1. Proper Ventilation Make sure fuel-burning appliances, like fireplaces, furnaces or ovens are properly ventilated.
2. Know the Signs Recognize the signs of a potential carbon monoxide problem in your home, which may include:Streaks of soot around fuel-burning appliances;Absence of an upward draft in your chimney;Excess moisture found on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces;Orange or yellow flames (should be blue) in your combustion appliances
3. Know the Symptoms Recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which may include flu-like symptoms like severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea
4. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Tags: Carbon Monoxide Death Lawyer, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawsuit