Advisory Report

November 2000

Warning Issued on Gas Connectors
Be on the lookout for older gas connectors that continue to compromise the safety of consumers nationwide. U.S. Inspect consultants have come across several homes that have uncoated, brass gas connectors that potentially fit the description of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) warning issued in 1996.

The connectors that the CPSC is warning consumers about are older, uncoated, brass connectors, which have not been manufactured for the past 10 years. The brass fittings on these connectors, which attach the connector to the natural gas supply pipe and appliance (e.g. dryer, oven, range), were soldered onto a corrugated brass tube. The CPSC believes that the solder can fail, causing a break in the connector and resulting in a gas leak. In 1996, such failed connectors had been responsible for 35 deaths and 59 injuries.

Many of these connectors may still be in use on older homes, and the CPSC is warning consumers to have their connectors inspected. Because it is very difficult to tell just by looking at it whether a connector has been soldered, the CPSC recommends that any uncoated brass connector be replaced immediately by a new stainless steel connector or a new plastic-coated brass connector.

The CPSC warns consumers not to move their appliances in an effort to inspect the connectors themselves. The connector should be inspected only be a professional service provider. These older brass connectors with weak, soldered connections could break if moved, leading to an explosion or fire. Moving an appliance, even slightly, could cause a weakened connector to fail.

For more information, contact the CPSC hotline at (800) 638-2772.


Other stories in this month's report:

Window Blinds Recall

Seasonal Furnace Inspection

What to Do About Spalling

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