Recall of GSW Water Heaters with S.I.T. Temperature Controls
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2003
Release # 03-156
Company Phone Number: (800) 263-3502
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
CPSC, Firms Announce Recall of GSW Water Heaters With S.I.T. Temperature Controls
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces
the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers
should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: S.I.T. Gas Temperature Controls on GSW Water Heaters
Units: 13,000 in USA
Manufacturer: GSW Industries Inc., of Fergus, Ontario, Canada
Distributor: S.I.T. Manufacturing N.A.S.A. de C.V., of Mexico;
GSW Industries, Inc., of Canada.
Hazard: A potential burn hazard from ignition flashback or an
increase in tank water temperature.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported in the U.S. In Canada, where
140,000 units were sold, there were 45 incidents reported, including
15 reports of minor burns.
Description: This recall involves GSW water heaters with S.I.T.
model 650 AC4 gas/temperature controls. The temperature control knobs
on GSW propane water heaters are red and the control knobs on GSW natural
gas water heaters are blue. The controls can be found on GSW Water
Heaters with serial numbers ranging from 0202694162 to 0304507825.
Sold at: Regional appliance distributors from February 2002
through April 2003 for between $150 and $550.
Manufactured in: The gas temperature controls were
manufactured in Mexico. The water heaters were manufactured in
Canada.
Remedy: When installing a GSW water heater with a SIT AC4 gas
control valve in the identified group, or re-lighting the pilot light,
the following instructions must be complied with:
Make sure that the water heater contains cool water prior to lighting
the pilot by opening a hot water faucet near your water heater and allowing
the water to run for five minutes. Close the faucet.
Turn the gas/temperature control knob clockwise to the maximum
(VERY HOT) setting, and then slowly turn the knob back counterclockwise to
the PILOT position, indicated by the yellow button. Listen for the main
valve to close- this would be a popping or snapping sound. This sound is
different from the clicking sound that the knob makes as you turn it.
If you hear the popping sound then the valve is working properly. You
should then read and follow the "Installation and Operating Instructions".
If you do not hear the popping sound then do not attempt to light the pilot
and replace the valve.
If the unit has been stored or is being installed in a cold environment
and the main valve does not close before the knob is turned back to the PILOT
position, the gas control valve must be warmed up to a temperature above 32
degrees F or 0 degrees C. Once warmed up, repeat the procedure above. If the
gas control valve does not close (popping sound), replace the valve.
If the water is too hot or if the temperature and pressure valve opens, turn
down the temperature using the temperature control. If the water remains too hot
or the temperature and pressure relief valve continues to open, then replace the
valve.
Consumer Contact: Call GSW toll-free at (800) 263-3502 between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.gsw-wh.com -
Consumers can also contact S.I.T. Controls USA Inc. at (704) 369-2810 between
8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Media Contact: Steve Ilott for GSW at (519) 787-5505 or Jim Kupsh for
S.I.T. at (704) 369-2807.