SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20240708-59C2D-2147338123. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Pantair Product: Pentair Max-E-Therm Heater Mdel Numbe (Product: Pentair Max-E-Therm Heater Mdel Number: P/N SR400LP Serial Number: 44000492100293). Incident: Dear Sirs, I am writing to formally report a significant safety concern involving a Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc. product. This product, the Max-E-Therm Heater, has caused a fire at my residence, leading to substantial property damage and posing a serious risk to consumer safety. Incident Details: Product: Pentair Max-E-Therm Heater Mdel Number: P/N SR400LP Serial Number: 44000492100293 Incident Date: 09/16/2022 Damage: Fire originating from the heater, leading to property damage and increased insurance premiums. Independent Expert Findings: An independent expert's report has concluded that the fire originated in the heater's upper housing area, specifically the combustion chamber. This is notably the same area affected by a recall by Pentair dated April 28, 2021. Despite this, my unit, manufactured slightly later, experienced the same defect leading to ignition. Manufacturer's Response: Pentair has acknowledged the potential defect and offered to compensate for the cost of the heater and its installation. However, they have attributed the fire to rodent damage without a physical examination and have only proposed a limited resolution. This speculative attribution raises concerns about the overall safety and design of the heater. Potential Risk to Consumers: Given the defect's potential to cause fires, this product poses a serious threat to all users, especially those with units manufactured around the same period as mine. The risk extends beyond financial losses to the safety and well-being of consumers. Request for Agency Involvement: In light of these concerns, I urge