Recall Notice -- High Temperature Plastic Vent Pipes

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, along with the vent pipe, furnace and boiler industries, reminds consumers of a program to replace – at no cost to appliance owners – high temperature plastic vent (HTPV) pipe on certain natural gas or propane-fueled furnaces or boilers installed after 1987.

An estimated 250,000 faulty HTPV pipe systems were attached to gas or propane furnaces or boilers in consumers' homes. The HTPV pipes could crack or separate at the joints and leak carbon monoxide (CO), a major threat to the health of your family. To determine whether you have HTPV pipe systems that are subject to this program, follow these simple steps.

Affected Vent Pipes

Check the vent pipes attached to your natural gas or propane-fueled furnace or boiler. Vent pipes subject to this recall program include:

• plastic vent pipes;
• vent pipes colored gray or black; or
• vent pipes with the names Plexvent® or Ultravent® stamped on the vent pipe or printed on stickers placed on pieces used to connect the vent pipes together.

Check the location of these vent pipes.

• For furnaces, only HTPV systems that have vent pipes that go through the sidewall of structures (horizontal systems) are subject to this program.
• For boilers, all HTPV systems are subject to this program.
• Other plastic vent pipes, such as white PVC or CPVC, are not involved in this program.

After checking the vent pipes, call the toll-free recall program telephone line at 1-800-758-3688, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., seven days a week. A representative will verify that your HTPV pipe system is subject to this recall program, plus provide you with an ID number and the names of participating contractors to call for repairs.

Consumers with eligible systems will receive new, professionally installed venting systems free of charge. Consumers who have replaced their HTPV systems may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of the replacement costs. The following manufacturers are participating in this program: