Press release 2007.06.18 [NITE Warns: Halogen Heaters imported and distributed by BAN-YU and Spontaneous Ignition Hazard of Waste Cloth impregnated with Coating Material]

NITE Warns: Halogen Heaters imported and distributed by BAN-YU and Spontaneous Ignition Hazard of Waste Cloth impregnated with Coating Material

National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
Life and Welfare Technology Center
June 18, 2007

The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) today issued a press release on the following two safety alerts. The information has also been placed on NITE’s website to call for consumers’ attention.

1. Press release

Release date:

June 18, 2007

Title:

Safety Alert on Electric Heaters (Halogen Heaters) imported and distributed by the former BAN-YU Co., Ltd

Waste Cloth impregnated with Coating Material may pose Spontaneous Ignition Hazard

Publisher:

Life and Welfare Technology Center

Summary:

Electric heaters (Halogen heaters) imported and distributed by the former BAN-YU Co., Ltd
Faulty caulking or wrong mounting position in wiring connections has caused accidents such as meltdown of basal resin or burning of carpets, etc, placed underneath when using the electric heaters imported and distributed by the former BAN-YU Co., Ltd. (Halogen Heater: DW-803, body color: blue, see images in the NITE Alert). Consumers should immediately stop using this halogen heater and contact BAN-YU for an inspection and repair prior to further usage.

(Contact)
BAN-YU Co., Ltd (Established through transfer of business and business name from the former BAN-YU Co., Ltd.)
2-4-10 Kawaramachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0048 Phone: 06-6222-2248

Spontaneous Ignition Hazard caused by Waste Cloth Impregnated with Coating Material
NITE issued a NITE Alert on February 18, 2005 concerning fire hazards from waste cloth impregnated with coating materials that have unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), such as sunflower oil, as the main constituent. However, since fire accidents believed to have been caused by spontaneous ignition continue to occur, NITE has re-issued this safety alert.

Press briefing paper in Japanese
http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/press/prs070618.pdf [PDF:89KB]

NITE Alert (English Translation)

1. No.80: Halogen Heaters imported and distributed by former BAN-YU Co., Ltd.
   http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/080/news080.html
2. No.81: Waste Cloth impregnated with Coating Material
   http://www.nite.go.jp/jiko/e/news/081/news081.html