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Blog > Appliance safety warnings & recalls > Safety Notice: (old) Refrigerator and Freezer Compressors fire risk

Safety Notice: (old) Refrigerator and Freezer Compressors fire risk

This one is bizarrely referring to fridges and freezers bought in 1994 or earlier

Safety warning issued by Danfoss

Date: 28th November 2007: Caution

There’s a possible risk of fire in old refrigerators and freezers bought in 1994 or before. If your refrigerator or freezer was bought in 1994 or before, you should check to see if it is fitted with a Danfoss compressor.

Recent tests suggest that the gradual decay of a plastic material on the starting device of Danfoss compressors from this period can under extreme circumstances cause a potential risk of fire. The starter produced after 1994 in modern compressors does not – and will not in the future – carry this risk.

Full details were on the Trading Standards site and the London fire brigade site though both notices have been removed for some reason.

Written By - Washerhelp on December 19th, 2007 with 8 comments
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8 Comments

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FridgeFireGuy FridgeFireGuy
#1. April 6th, 2008, at 12:06 AM.


My Admiral Fridge had an internal electric fire today. I couldn’t smell anything untill I opend the door. What I saw was smoke stains all over my styrofoam takeout containers, then I opened the freezer and there were smoke ashes all over my food. All I could smell was burnt electronics, very stong and toxic smelling. Thank god it did not burn my home down, it seemed to be completely contained inside the fridge, maybe from the compressor? I am going to get rid of it, it still works fine (it seems) but I’m not taking the chance.

FridgeFireGuy FridgeFireGuy
#2. April 6th, 2008, at 12:08 AM.


FYI the above mentioned fridge was an Admiral 1986 model.

Washerhelp Washerhelp
#3. April 6th, 2008, at 11:43 AM.


It’s worrying to think of fridges and freezers catching fire as they are the kind of household appliance that’s permanently plugged in and unattended.

If your fridge has a Danfloss compressor (it’s easy to check as it’s the big black thing at the back in the base and not usually concealed) then the fire could have been caused by the issue raised in the recall notice.

Arjan Arjan
#4. June 6th, 2009, at 12:01 AM.


yesterday my sisters’ kitchen burnt down due to fire caused by a Siemens refrigerator, freezer below.
The whole house and complete interior is damaged by the smoke.

Anyone else had the same?

Arjan

Washerhelp Washerhelp
#5. June 6th, 2009, at 6:19 PM.


Very scary. Please let us know if you find out more about why it happened. How old was it?

Dave Farries Dave Farries
#6. September 4th, 2009, at 9:00 PM.


I am at present investigating two fires within old fridges (approximately 13 years old) one of which was a Siemens and have determined the fires originated in the starter relay attached to the compressor.
I also would be interested in hearing if Arjan’s sister learned the cause of the fridge fire and also if possible which Fire Service attended.

Aren Harris Aren Harris
#7. March 31st, 2010, at 10:37 AM.


Ouch! I hope our old Metters Freezer isn’t at risk. I don’t think its a Danfoss though…
She still runs fine, but there are black marks like smoke marks above the compressor area, maybe some cause for concern….

chris davies chris davies
#8. June 22nd, 2010, at 3:03 AM.


i have a nei freezer its 16 years old and still going strong.

 

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