CPSC, Watts Water Technologies, Inc. Announce Recall of Gas Ball Valves

The following product safety recall was conducted voluntarily by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product with a 0511 cast body date code immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Gas Ball Shut-Off Valves.

Units: 4,500.

Importer: Watts Water Technologies Inc., of North Andover, Mass.

Manufacturer: Fusan Valve Ltd. of Taiwan.

Hazard: A gas leak from these valves, posing a risk of fires and explosions.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves a one-inch gas ball shut-off valve sold as a Watts Series GBV two-piece, Brass Gas Ball Valve used in commercial and residential applications for manufactured natural gas and liquid propane (LP) gas piping systems. The valves feature a brass ball and stem, teflon seats and packing, brass end piece and a zinc alloy handle. They have a date code of 0511 cast into the body of the valve. Some 0511 body date code valves were among 1,225 valves shipped to 43 Watts' customers' locations between July 9, 2005 and August 8, 2005. Of these 1,225 valves, all but 9 valves shipped to 6 commercial customers have been recovered or accounted for.

Sold by: Commercial supply houses from July 9, 2005 through August 8, 2005.

Assembled in: Taiwan.

Remedy: Watts Water Technologies is providing a free replacement. Almost all valves have been recovered.

Consumer Contact: Consumers with recalled gas ball valves should contact Watts by calling its customer service number at (978) 689-6066 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday. For additional information on this product, consumers can visit the Watts Web site at www.Wattsind.com