The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·02163·Announced 2002-05-16

Seismic Safety Products Recalls Northridge 2000 Earthquake Gas Valves

Seismic Safety Products is recalling approximately 600 Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves because they may stick open, posing a fire and explosion risk during earthquakes.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of serious injury from fire and explosion, but the source explicitly states that no incidents or injuries have been reported, fitting the rubric for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Seismic Safety Products Inc. is recalling approximately 600 Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves. The recalled valves are about 3-1/2 inches wide by 2-1/2 inches high by 2 inches deep, with aluminum bodies coated in blue. They feature a white reset knob reading "Northridge 2000 Valve" and a white label on the back stating "Models M75 [or M100], ASCE 25-97, RR#5370, CSA-OSA, 2 PSI Max Gas Flow." These valves were manufactured in the United States.

The recall is being conducted because the gas valves could stick in the open position, allowing gas to flow freely. This poses a risk of serious injury to consumers from fire and explosion during an earthquake. Seismic Safety Products has not received any reports of incidents, and the recall is intended to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The valves were sold to plumbers in the Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle, Wash. areas, from February 2001 through April 2001, for between $200 and $300. Consumers should contact Seismic Safety Products immediately to have their shut-off valve replaced free of charge. Consumers may contact Seismic Safety Products at (800) 948-3782 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or write to Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Inc., 430 Olds Station Road, Wenatchee, WA 98801.

The recalled product

Product
Northridge 2000 Earthquake Valves
Manufacturer
Seismic Safety Products Inc., a subsidiary of Pacific Aerospace & Electronics Inc., both of Wenatchee, Wash.
Category
Consumer Product — Gas Control Valves
Hazard
Affected units
600

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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