The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·95104·Announced 1995-04-18

Fireplace Technologies Recalls LockTop Damper and Cap Sets

Fireplace Technologies is providing free retrofit kits for LockTop Damper and Cap sets because soot buildup may cause the vent to close during chimney fires, potentially forcing smoke and carbon monoxide into homes.

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 death or injury from smoke and carbon monoxide inhalation, and while no injuries have been reported, the hazard is significant and not merely theoretical.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fireplace Technologies Inc. are announcing a program to provide free retrofit kits for approximately 36,000 LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets. The product is a box-shaped device made of cast aluminum that mounts to the top of a chimney and functions as both a damper and a chimney cap. The units were sold through chimney sweeps and wood fuel appliance contractors from December 1989 to the present.

The recall is being issued because the vent dampers might close if soot builds up, which can result in a chimney fire. If the vent closes during a fire, it could force smoke and flue gases back into the house, presenting a risk of death or injury from inhalation of smoke and carbon monoxide. Although no injuries have been reported, CPSC is aware of two incidents in which the vent closed during chimney fires, potentially exposing consumers to hazardous smoke and carbon monoxide.

Consumers who have a LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap set should contact the chimney sweep or contractor who installed the unit or call Fireplace Technologies at (800) 737-1067 for a free retrofit kit. The retrofit kit will be installed at no cost to the consumer and will prevent the vent from closing during chimney fires. All new LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets purchased after May 15, 1995, will have the kit permanently incorporated into the unit.

The recalled product

Product
LockTop Fireplace Damper and Cap sets
Manufacturer
Fireplace Technologies
Category
Consumer Product — Fireplace Accessories
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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