Triangle Tube has recalled 63,000 gas boilers sold under the brand name Prestige because flue gas can escape from the vent if it isn’t properly installed. According to Consumer Reports, one death has been attributed to this defect due to carbon monoxide poisoning and the company has received two reports of the vent tube separating from the boiler.
Details of the Recall
The recall involves 22 Prestige models of the Prestige Solo and Excellence condensing gas boilers manufactured between November 2011 and October 2019 for residential and light commercial use. The boilers were sold at wholesale distributors for between $3,400 and $9,700 and installed by independent contractors nationwide from November 2011 through July 2020.
The recall notice says the flue gas in these boilers can escape if the vent adapter is not properly reattached to the boiler after maintenance or repair. This could allow carbon monoxide to escape, posing a fatal risk. The company is offering a free repair, but in the meantime, it is recommending that anyone who owns one of these boilers install a CO detector on every level of their home.
Consumers who don’t have a carbon monoxide alarm can call Triangle Tube to have one shipped to them free of charge. For more information, call the company at 1-877-574-5036.
Consumer Reports says it does not test boilers but asks members about the reliability of their own boilers. Triangle Tube reportedly earns a “poor” rating for predicted reliability, which is the lowest score and a “very good” rating for owner satisfaction, which reflects how likely a consumer is to recommend that brand.
The Dangers of CO Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that has the potential to kill. This gas is found in fumes produced any time fuel is burned in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges or furnaces. But, it can also build up indoors and poison people and animals that inhale it.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
If you or a loved one has suffered CO poisoning or has been otherwise injured as the result of a defectively manufactured product, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. An experienced product defect lawyer will be able to help you better understand your legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/prestige-gas-boilers-recalled-for-carbon-monoxide-risk/
