Recall Radar

Explosion Hazard Of Fire Extinguishers Prompts American LaFrance And BECO Recall

Recall 91-080 · May 30, 1991 · Badger-Powhatan

What to doFollow the instructions in the official CPSC notice below.

Read the official CPSC notice

Recall at a glance

Recall number
91-080 (CPSC)
Recall date
May 30, 1991
Brand
Badger-Powhatan
Category
Smoke alarms and home safety
Products
American LaFrance fire extinguishers; Beco fire extinguishers
Last updated by CPSC
May 30, 1991

What was recalled

May 30, 1991 Release # 91-080 Explosion Hazard Of Fire Extinguishers Prompts American LaFrance And BECO Recall WASHINGTON, DC -- Two models of American LaFrance fire extinguishers and one model of BECO fire extinguishers, which were manufactured from May 1985 through December 1985, are being recalled by Badger-Powhatan of Charlottesville, VA in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The plastic valve and nozzle assembly of the three models of fire extinguishers could blow off with enough force to cause serious injury, due to a defect in the threads connecting the nozzle assembly to the red cannister. Badger-Powhatan has received reports of 100 explosion incidents. While there have been only three injuries reported by the manufacturer, there have been several incidents in which the nozzle assembly blew off with sufficient force to imbed it in a wall or ceiling. Approximately 84,000 American LaFrance and BECO fire extinguishers, models P-250MA and P-275RA, are being recalled. The model numbers and serial numbers of these recalled extinguishers are printed on the cannister label and include the following: American LaFrance Serial Numbers Model P-250MA FS024000 through FS087500 FZ650001 through FZ656500 Model P-275RA FS834501 through FS836000 FZ638001 through FZ647500 BECO Model P-250MA FM947501 through FM949500 FZ780001 through FZ781500 The fire extinguishers were sold nationwide in retail stores for approximately $9 to $15 each, or were installed by contractors and manufacturers in buildings, boats, or mobile homes. Badger-Powhatan advises its customers to check all American LaFrance and BECO fire extinguishers for the model numbers and serial numbers identified above. Consumers are cautioned to handle the fire extinguisher carefully with the nozzle assembly pointing to the ground and return it to the nearest authorized American LaFrance or BECO distributor. For the location of the nearest distributor, consumers may call Badger-Powhatan at 1-800-922-3499 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). A free replacement fire extinguisher will be given to consumers by the American LaFrance or BECO distributor in exchange for any recalled extinguishers. CPSC learned of the fire extinguisher problem from Georgia Fire Department personnel, who reported five explosion incidents involving the defective models. The CPSC is announcing this recall program as part of itsmission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The CPSC is the Federal agency responsible for product safety. Some 15,000 different kinds of consumer products fall within the Commission's jurisdiction and each year these products are involved in an estimated 29 million injuries and 22,000 deaths

Is my product affected?

Compare your product with the details below, including model numbers where listed.

  • American LaFrance fire extinguishers
  • Beco fire extinguishers

Where it was sold

Companies named in the notice: Badger-Powhatan; BECO; American LaFrance.

Recall history and context

Since 2019 CPSC has recorded 20 recalls in the smoke alarms and home safety category, 4 recalls of them in the past 12 months.

Frequently asked questions

What was recalled?

American LaFrance fire extinguishers; Beco fire extinguishers. S.

What should I do if I own one?

Follow the instructions in the official CPSC recall notice linked on this page.

Similar recalls in smoke alarms and home safety

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall data, shown as published and last updated by CPSC on May 30, 1991. Details can change; the official notice is the authority. If your product may be recalled, stop and read the notice before deciding what to do. Terms and disclaimer.