CPSC Warns of Explosion Hazard in Fireplace-Powered Water Heaters
CPSC warns that certain fireplace-powered water heaters may explode if water flow stops and pressure builds. Consumers should have installations checked by a qualified plumber.
What this means for you
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-harm product (explosion) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for theoretical hazards without confirmed casualties.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning on November 18, 1982, regarding an explosion hazard associated with specific fireplace-powered water heaters. These units, sold under the brand names "Hydrohearth," "Hydroplace," and "Aqua Grate," were manufactured by Ridgeway Steel Fabricators, Inc. and Shark Manufacturing Corporation. Both manufacturers are no longer in business. The devices are made of tubular steel or steel plate and resemble a fireplace grate or liner, connecting to a home's hot-water heating system to supplement or replace furnace heat.
The hazard arises when the flow of water through the unit slows or stops, which can result from circulator pump failure, electrical power failure, or frozen pipes. In such cases, water inside the unit may boil into steam. If the unit lacks an adequately installed pressure relief device, the resulting pressure build-up can cause an explosion. Units containing built-in safety devices such as burst disks, fusible plugs, or blowout plugs are not subject to this warning.
CPSC urges consumers who own these units to have their installation checked by a qualified, licensed plumber with specific knowledge of boilers, water pumps, pipe freezing problems, and pressure relief valves. The plumber should verify the location, pressure rating, and flow capacity of the safety valve. If no safety valve is present, one must be installed with a suitable pressure rating and flow capacity. The safety valve should be installed in the outlet piping as near to the unit as possible without risking overheating damage, oriented to avoid clogging, and checked periodically by a knowledgeable person to ensure it functions correctly.
The recalled product
- Product
- Aqua Grate fireplace-powered water heaters
- Manufacturer
- Shark Manufacturing Corporation
- Category
- Consumer Product — Home Heating
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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