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HTPV plastic vent pipes, white (C) Daniel FriedmanGoodman Furnace Heating Vent Safety Recall
High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV Recall By Goodman Manufacturing - CPSC Safety Recall Notice for Goodman HTPV, Plexvent, PlexventII & Ultravent HTPV plastic pipe

Goodman furnace & plastic vent safety recall:

This document provides residential heating furnace safety information about the Goodman Furnace Heating Vent Safety High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV Recall By Goodman Manufacturing, a Houston TX air conditioning and heating firm.

To be clear, Goodman did not itself manufacture the HTPV piping but rather obtained it from other HTPV manufacturers. Nonetheless, the Goodman HTPV vent is a serious safety hazard because it risks release of dangerous, potentially fatal carbon monoxide gas in buildings if this defective furnace vent has not been replaced.

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Goodman Plastic Heater Vent HTPV Recall Notice, Contact Information, Details

Goodman plastic heater vents were recalled by the company originally in 1998 and in an updated notice in 2009 (as Plexvent™ or Ultravent™) , because of the possibility of carbon monoxide leakage hazards.

Cracks in the flue venting system were reported due to corrosion and cracking. Our literature review indicates that there were about 10,000 Plexvent & Ultravent HTPV flue gas venting systems used to vent combustion products from some Goodman mid-efficiency furnaces that were in turn manufactured between October 1988 & July 1994.

Identification & Images / Photos of Goodman HTPV Plastic Heater Vents

US CPSC Notice: Goodman Announcement of Recall to Replace HTPV Pipes

For Immediate Release   Contact: Jane Francis
February 24, 1998    (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1187
Release # 98-073

CPSC, Goodman Announce Recall to Replace HTPV Pipes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Since August 1996, Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P., of Houston, Texas, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has been conducting a program to replace high-temperature plastic vent (HTPV) pipe used to vent about 8,000 Goodman mid-efficiency gas furnaces. The HTPV pipe used in these vents could be susceptible to corrosion, cracking and joint separation, which could result in the release of carbon monoxide into living areas, presenting a deadly threat to consumers.

Although Goodman did not manufacture HTPV pipe, some models of Goodman furnaces were vented using HTPV material produced by other companies. Goodman voluntarily undertook its replacement program to help ensure the safety and comfort of its gas-appliance customers and has already replaced many HTPV systems.

For each Goodman furnace that is horizontally vented with HTPV pipe, Goodman will continue to arrange for replacement of the vent with a new, approved vent at no charge. Alternatively at the homeowner's option, Goodman will continue to replace the entire furnace and vent with a brand new, high-efficiency Goodman furnace and suitable vent for only the manufacturer's price for the new furnace itself, with no charge for labor, associated materials or dealer markup.

Owners of Goodman furnaces that are vented with HTPV pipe should contact their local heating contractor for more information or call Goodman at (800) 394-8084.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number.

Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov or via Internet gopher services at gopher.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov. To establish a link from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, create a link to the following address: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml98/98073.html.

022498,CPSC, Goodman Announce Recall to Replace HTPV Pipes

Recall & Warranty or Claims Coverage for Goodman Plexvent or Ultravent Recalled venting systems

TECHNICAL NOTES on the Plastic Heating Vent Safety Concern:

Ontario, 1-2 yrs ago, 3 mfgs:

Coming apart at cemented joint and also general pipe cracking on plastic vents used on mid-range efficiency gas furnaces and boilers.

They had an 8/96 deadline to replace all units - as the entire unit incl. vent was listed as an entire unit, couldn't just replace the vent so replaced a bunch of entire systems. Thousands done that way.

Class action lawsuit against manufacturers, Ontario New Home Warranty Program, &c

Each manufacturer had to get its unit re-listed, some went to stainless steel vents, most went to a new plastic with an exterior additional induced draft fan so even if cracks inside, flue gases won't leak into the house.

OPINION: some furnace blower fans defeat the furnace's heating efficiency by exhausting heat from the house. Some thoughts that are adding complexity - second fan, but it's probably interlocked so will shut down heat if fan fails.

2/7/97 tc Daniel Friedman with Giddings at CPSC:

The Fix for these Plastic Heater Vents:

How to Identify the problem Plastic Heating Vents:

CPSC sees fewer field failures with the new stuff - but no long term data yet. Says the second-generation plastic is no longer specified by the heater mfgs.

He (Giddings) sent ASHI a letter 9/96 - to Paterkevich - will re-fax to me got a mumbled reply from some unknown ASHI guy

Typical cost to cure defective or unsafe plastic heating vent pipes is $400-$600.

Other information sources on the plastic heater vent safety recall:

2/8/97 Actions Taken by DF

 


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