McQuay Recalls Air Conditioners/Heat Pumps Following Fires
CPSC recall 08530 · announced December 20, 2007 · Oyl Manufacturing Co · 8,800 units affected
The product
The recall involves the Remington and McQuay "ComfortPac" Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP) commonly installed in hotels, nursing homes, and other commercial locations. These "B" and "B+" vintage electric heat units come in size 12 (12,000 BTU) and size 15 (15,000 BTU). The model numbers included in the recall are: PTAC12B208 KXBA and KXCA PTAC12B265 MXBA and MXCA PTHP12B208 KXBA and KXCA PTHP12B265 MXBA and MXCA PTAC15B208 KXBA and KXCA PTAC15B265 MXBA and MXCA PTHP15B208 KXBA and KXCA PTHP15B265 MXBA and MXCA The model numbers are printed on the product identification plate, which is located underneath the front cover below the control box. The recalled units also have the following numbers on the power cord: 105575703 (208/230V) and 105575803 (265V).
The hazard
Wires in the heater element can overheat and spark, posing a smoke and fire hazard to consumers.
What to do (per CPSC)
McQuay has been directly notifying businesses. Building managers or owners who have not been contacted by McQuay should stop using the recalled units immediately and contact the firm for a free repair kit.
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): McQuay has received three reports of fires that caused property damage and four additional reports of smoke, smoldering, and/or charring. One incident led to two consumers being treated for smoke inhalation.
Sold at: McQuay sales representatives and distributors nationwide from November 2001 through June 2006 for about $350.
Consumer contact: For more information, contact McQuay at (800) 377-2787 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, send an e-mail to bob.welch@mcquay.com, or visit the firm's Web site at www.mcquay.com
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.