Heaters cited as fire hazards
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced that the following heaters may present fire hazards.
Berko Electric (Peru, Indiana), a division of Marley Electric Heating, permanently installed baseboard heaters. Model numbers begin with the letters “MBB” followed by four numbers and end in “M” (MBB2-534-M, for example) and manufactured between January 1980 and March 1987. About 1.5 million heaters are involved.
Wires inside the heaters may deteriorate, allowing electrical currents to flow to the outside steel air deflector cover and cause arcing or sparking that will burn holes in the cover. In addition, if not properly grounded, the heaters could cause an electric shock. Some 200 complaints of deteriorated wires and burned heater covers have been received. The Berko (silver) identification label is located inside the heater on the right side, just below the steel air deflector. The black date code is printed directly on the heater, just to the right of the identifying label.
All heaters should be repaired or replaced. If the unit`s steel air deflector cover shows discoloration, it should be disconnected immediately. Berko will provide free a new crossover wire rated at 125 degrees Centigrade to replace the original wire rated at 105 degrees Centigrade and instructions so that a qualified electrician can effect the needed repairs. Consumers who prefer a new unit will be given a 60 percent discount off the retail list price. For additional information, contact Berko at (800) 545-8306.
White-Rodgers (division of Emerson Electric Co. in St. Louis, Missouri). Model 37 and 37C natural gas water heater temperature controls manufactured between March and October 1994. Date codes 9412 to 9440 are involved. The date code is in back of the box located above the heater`s access panel and can be viewed with a hand mirror.
Soot may build up on the water heater burner and present a fire hazard. About 1.6 million valves might be involved. The manufacturer received 32 reports of sooting, 23 of which alleged charring or fire. Consumers should call White-Rodgers at (800) 426-3503 to arrange for a qualified service technician to inspect and, if necessary, replace the control free of charge.
