Advisory - Health Canada Warns Users of a Risk of Glass Explosion from Certain Gas Fireplaces manufactured by CFM Inc. (Majestic Fireplace)

OTTAWA, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ -

The issue:

Consumers are being advised to stop using Majestic brand fireplaces that bear the trade names Insta-flame or Northern Flame (Models FSDV22, FSDV30 and FSDV32, Series). The relief dampers may not function properly causing the excess gas to ignite and then the glass to explode when lighting the fireplace, posing a serious risk to the safety of Canadians.

Who is affected:

Canadians with the natural gas and propane-fired direct vent free-standing fireplaces manufactured by CFM Inc. (Majestic Fireplace) bearing the trade names Insta-flame or Northern Flame: Models FSDV22, FSDV30 and FSDV32, Series.

What consumers should do:

• Consumers should immediately stop using these fireplaces.
• Any affected fireplaces currently in use should have the fuel supply disconnected immediately. The manufacturer is no longer in business and there is no retro fit kit available. Contact a licensed gas technician for disconnection.

What industry should do:

• Canadian retailers and distributors of these fireplaces should immediately cease sale.
• Manufacturers, importers, distributors or retailers that become aware of incidents, including recalls initiated for human health or safety reasons by foreign entities, related to this or any consumer product that they supply are required to report the incident to Health Canada. Guidance on mandatory reporting is available on Health Canada's website.

What Health Canada is doing:

Health Canada is warning consumers to stop using these fireplaces immediately as there is a risk of the glass exploding, which poses a serious safety risk. This advisory has been issued, instead of a recall notice, because CFM Inc. is no longer in business.

Background:

Since 2006, there have been six (6) incidents involving these fireplaces reported to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority of Ontario (TSSA). In these cases, delayed ignition occurred expelling glass into the living space causing personal injury. Health Canada has received one (1) report of this fireplace's glass exploding and no injury was reported.

Models FSDV22, FSDV30 and FSDV32, Series bear a Canadian Gas Association (CGA) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certification mark. Delayed ignition tests, per the CSA standard, were conducted on a sample fireplace by the TSSA and CSA. During testing, the fireplace's relief dampers did not prevent the glass from blowing out. The concern is that the relief dampers do not adequately relieve the pressure caused by a build-up of unburned natural or propane gas when ignition is delayed. If someone tries to light the fireplace when there is a gas build-up, an explosion could result expelling the fireplace glass into the living space and causing personal injury.

Products affected:

Natural gas and propane-fired direct vent free-standing fireplaces manufactured by CFM Inc. (Majestic Fireplace) that bear the trade names Insta-flame or Northern Flame (Models FSDV22, FSDV30 and FSDV32, Series). The word "Series" includes all suffixes and prefixes associated with these models. For example, suffixes to the model number such as "N" could mean natural gas, "T" could be Top Vent and "R" could mean rear vent. These types of variations on the models, among others, would all be included in this advisory.

For more information:

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

How to report problems with consumer products:

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of a consumer product or cosmetic. An easy-to-use incident report form is now available on the Department's website.

E-mail: [email protected]
Mail: Incident Report - Consumer Product Safety Directorate
Health Canada
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0K9

Stay connected with Health Canada and receive the latest advisories and product recalls using these social media tools: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/home-accueil/sm-ms/index-eng.php

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SOURCE: Health Canada

Media Enquiries: 
Health Canada
613-957-2983

Public Enquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709