Berko Electric Toe-Space Electric Heater Recall

16 years ago

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 30, 2007

Release #07-298

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 642-4328

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Berko Electric Toe-Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in

cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary

recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using

recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Toe-Space Electric Heaters

Units: About 84,000

Manufacturer: Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley

Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C.

Hazard: If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the

unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Marley has received 29 reports of fires resulting in

property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves electric, toe-space heaters typically

installed in kitchens and bathrooms at floor level in the recessed space

under cabinets. The recall includes Berko Electric catalog numbers TS,

TS-1 and TS-1A and Emerson Electric "Chromalox Comfort Heating" and

"Environmental Products" catalog number KSH2000. The heater is

controlled by a wall thermostat or a thermostat mounted on the front of

the heater. The heater has a removable, black metal grille that measures

23 1/2 -inches wide and 3 1/2 -inches tall with five sets of openings,

each with seven horizontal louvers.

Sold by: Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972

through February 1985 and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from

1980 through February 1985 for between $70 and $170.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the

thermostat and, if possible, at the home's circuit breaker or fuse.

Consumers should contact Marley to determine if they have a recalled

heater and for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Marley at (800)

642-4328 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or

visit the firm's Web site at www.berkomep.com/ts.htm

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the

recalled products, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07298.html

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Is there a basement or crawl space underneath the kitchen floor? If yes then you may be able to install a radiant heat system. It would tap into your current hot water heating system. The other option is to replace the cast iron radiator with a base board radiator. It would free up some wall space. There are manufacturers which make radiators which are very stylish looking in various colors and shapes. Perhaps you can mount the new radiator high on the wall so you could use the space below it. It is not optimum, but it could work in your situation. I think you can also get a toe kick size radiator, but I am not sure if these are effective. Use electric resistance heating is an option, but it is going to be much more expensive to operate compared to the gas furnace. This would be the least attractive option for me.
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Berko Electric Toe-Space Electric Heater Recall

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