Accident Information Special News No.12
August 21, 1997
In February 13, 1997, Rinnai Corporation released an announcement, because it became clear that a small amount of gas was leaked from a device stopcock in one model of a system kitchen incorporated type gas range, "RBG - 20D" and the free replacement of the stopcock of the gas range has been performed. However, in August 21 (Thursday), Rinnai released the re-announcement because the results of tests performed for settling the accident information by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation on an accident related to the LP (liquefied petroleum gas) gas range, "RBR - 310D", indicated a possibility of causing a accident different from the accident contents reported initially, and the actual effect of the free replacement of the device stopcocks including those for the city gas was improved.
If there is consultation related to the following products, please tell the user to immediately stop using it, to make a contact with the manufacturer, and to replace the device stopcock for an improved product.
(Products)
- Name of product:
- System kitchen incorporated type gas ranges
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Rinnai | RBG-20D,30D,35D,30DV,40D,RBR-305ED,310CD,310CDV,310ED,310EDV,350CD,350CDV,RBR-350ED,350EDV,410CD,410ED,450CD,450ED |
| Sunwave | SB-3G-3,4G-4,3SC-1,3SE-1,3BE-1,SB-4BC-1,4BE-1 |
| Cleanup | 3CT-GK,GS,1C,1D,5D,5DW,4CT-GC |
| Micado | MBG-30DV |
| BOSCH | GCR-30GN,40GN,40GNW,GHR-40GN,40GNW,40MN,40MNW |
- Manufactured by:
- Rinnai Corporation
- Contact Number of Manufacturer:
- Free dial0120-885-587
Details of Accident Notification of Accident Information Collected to Accident Information Collection System of the Competent Ministry and Test Results
(1) Outlines of details of accident notification
In using the LP gas range (RBR - 3310CD), a gas leakage alarm starts ringing so that the stopcock of the gas range was turned to the OFF position, however, the flame of the burner did not go out. Therefore, the bulb of a gas bomb positioned outdoors was closed. After a while, the flame of the burner went out, however, the gas leakage alarm did not stop ringing so that, when a door where the gas leakage alarm was attached was opened, in that moment, a large flame went up from its inside. No fire occurred but the user was slightly burned.
(Information provider: Fire Fighting and Disaster Prevention Division, Prefectural Inhabitants Life Department, Hiroshima Prefecture)
(2) Test results
- 1 Just like the report from the manufacturer, when the operation shaft of the stopcock would not return due to the secular change and if the knob position was set to a low flame or OFF, it was confirmed that gas continuously leaked out from the stopcock. When the knob was set to the low flame or the Off position, the gas leaked more than when it was set to the medium flame.
- 2 When the burner was combusted by the stopcock from which gas continuously leaked out and if the knob was set to the OFF position, it was confirmed that the flame of the burner did not go out just like the accident and the gas continuously leaked out from the stopcock. Though the burner was burnt for 5 minutes, the flame of the burner was not ignited to the leaked gas.
- 3 There is a possibility that, according to the convection inside the gas range, the leaked gas is raised and ignited by the flame of the burner so that the ignition state was examined by leaking gas and generating a spark inside the gas range.
As a result, an explosive combustion instantly occurred and a large flame was raised from the front face of the gas range. Based on the matters described above, when the user uses the gas range at the low flame for a long time without noticing the gas leakage, there is a possibility of leaking out a large amount of gas, and LP gas, in particular, when the LP gas leaks out from the stopcock, it is accumulated in the bottom so that if the user does not notice the gas leakage, there is a risk that it causes an ignition explosive accident.
Therefore, the replacement works of the stopcock performed right now shall be completed as quickly as possible.
Contact us
- Consumer Product Safety Public Relations Division Product Safety Technology Center National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
-
Phone number:+81-6-6612-2066
Fax number:+81-6-6612-1617
Address:1-22-16 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 5590034, Japan MAP