The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·84042·Announced 1984-06-22

Symmons Pressure-Balancing Shower Systems Warned Over Scalding Risk

CPSC and Symmons warn that pressure-balancing shower systems may cause scalding if not properly installed. The agency is aware of 12 incidents, including 4 deaths.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that the Commission is aware of 4 deaths associated with the shower systems, which meets the rubric criterion for a Critical severity score.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Symmons Industries, Inc. issued a joint warning regarding pressure-balancing shower systems sold under the brand names Temptrol, Safetymix, and Visu-Temp. The warning highlights a potential scalding hazard that can occur when the systems are not properly installed and adjusted. These shower systems are commonly used in motels, hotels, apartments, nursing homes, institutional care facilities, and athletic facilities, with distribution dating back to 1947.

The CPSC is currently aware of 12 incidents associated with these shower systems, which include 4 deaths. The hazard arises when the installer fails to set the temperature-limiting device, known as the Limit Stop Screw, in the pressure balancing valve. This failure can result in unusually hot water reaching the shower if other temperature-controlling devices in the plumbing system fail.

Symmons is placing warning statements in installation and user instructions and applying warning sticker labels to the shower systems to alert installers to the potential hazard. Owners, users, and operators of facilities with these systems should check the water temperature at the hottest setting. If the temperature exceeds 120°F, the shower system and central hot water system should be checked and adjusted by a plumber. Symmons states that the systems are effective in preventing scalds when properly installed and adjusted, and that this cooperation is not an admission of product defect.

The recalled product

Product
Safetymix pressure-balancing shower systems
Manufacturer
Symmons Industries
Category
Consumer Product — Plumbing Fixtures
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · scalding

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