Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

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January 15, 2009
Release #09-099

Manufacturers' Recall Hotline: (800) 758-3688 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, Manufacturers Announce Changes to 1998 Recall Program to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes
Remedy Changes for Registrations after May 1, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and various home heating furnace, boiler, and high-temperature plastic vent (HTPV) manufacturers are urging home owners who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall, to do so immediately. After May 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive under the existing program, which has been operating continuously for almost 11 years, will change.

The recall, first announced in February 1998, included about 250,000 Plexvent and Ultravent HTPV pipe systems attached to gas or propane furnaces and boilers in homes. The HTPV pipes can crack or separate at the joints and leak deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gas. The following table includes the different remedies available to consumers with qualifying heating systems vented with two leading brands of HTPV pipe - Plexvent and Ultravent.

Consumers who register after May 1, 2009 and who choose to repair their systems will be responsible for up-front payment of parts, labor and permits, and will be responsible for arranging to have the work performed.

Consumers should determine whether they have a recalled HTPV pipe system by checking the vent pipes attached to their natural gas or propane furnace or boiler. Vent pipes subject to this recall can be identified as follows:

• the vent pipes are plastic;
• the vent pipes are colored gray or black;
• "Plexvent," "Plexvent II" or "Ultravent" is stamped on the vent pipe or printed on stickers placed on pieces used to connect the vent pipes; and
• the vent pipes are located on furnaces (and the pipes go through the sidewalls of structures) or on boilers.

Other plastic vent pipes, such as white PVC, are not included in the recall.

After checking the vent pipes, consumers should call (800) 758-3688 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to sign up for HTPV pipe system replacement. The following manufacturers are participating in this program:

CPSC reminds all consumers to have fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected each year to check for cracks or separations in the vents that could allow CO to leak into the home. In addition, CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm.