Health Canada has expanded the recall for the Series 503 Flushmate III pressure-assisted flushing systems installed inside toilet tanks. The expanded recall affects systems manufactured from July 2009 through April 2011. Previously recalled systems were manufactured from October 1997 through February 2008 and from March 2008 through June 2009.
The units are rectangular, black, two-piece vessels made of injection moulded plastic. There is a 16-character long date code/serial number located on a label on the top of the product. The first six numbers of the serial number are the date code, which is written month/day/year. The affected date code range for this recall begins with 070109 and continues through 043011.
The units were sold individually and installed in toilets manufactured by American Standard, Copperfit, Crane, Ecotech, Eljer, Gerber, Kohler, Lamosa, Mancesa, Mansfield, Orion, St. Thomas, Universal Rundle, Vitra, Vitromex, Vortens and Western Pottery.
The systems are being recalled because they can burst at or near the vessel weld seam, which releases stored pressure. This pressure can lift the tank lid and shatter the tank, posing impact and laceration hazards to consumers, as well as property damage.
Approximately 12,391 units of the recalled product were sold in Canada and the company has received six reports of the units bursting, however no injuries have been reported. In the U.S., 453,000 affected systems were sold and Flushmate has received two reports of the units bursting that resulted in property damage, and include one report of minor injury.
Health Canada is advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Flushmate III system. Users are to turn off the water supply to the unit and flush the toilet to release the internal pressure. They are then to contact Flushmate to request a free repair kit.
