On November 8, 2012, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Monessen Hearth Systems Co issued a recall for numerous gas fireplaces and inserts.  The specific names of the products are Signature Command™ Controlled Direct and B-Vent Fireplaces and Inserts.  Consumers need to stop using these products right away.  

The products were manufactured in the United States and Mexico and sold at Hearth dealers from October 2011 to October 2012 for about $1,030 to $8,160.  The company believes about 15,000 products are affected by this recall.  

The products are being recalled because the control device for the fireplaces and inserts can cause gas to flow through even if the unit doesn’t light.  The defective control poses a huge fire hazard, even though no injuries have been reported so far.  

Majestic, Monessen, and Vermont Castings direct-vent and B-vent gas fireplaces and inserts are affected by the recall.  The recalled serial numbers include the following: 11-X-027322 to 11-X-031501; 12-X-000275 to 12-X-015206, 11-P-032597 to 11-P-059389; and 12-P-000202 to 12-P-037583.  

The first two numbers of the serial number indicate the year the product was manufactured.  The next letter indicates what facility the product manufactured in, and the last digits are randomly selected.  You can find the serial number on a cable inside the lower or side door for the controls.  

Consumers need to stop using these products immediately.  It is illegal to try and resell this recalled product.  If you have a recalled product, you need to turn off the fireplace with the master control on the inside of the control door.  You can then contact Monessen Hearth Systems for a free repair.  

You can contact the company at (877) 406-9180 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, or you can visit the company’s website.  

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission