Please note the below:
"We have been made aware of a problem relating to a batch of Jewel Saffire extinguishers. The problem is that the valve experiences a stress fracture and splits. This results in the valve head going off, leaving the threaded portion of the valve remaining in the cylinder.
Jewel Saffire Products Limited is carrying out extensive tests including independent laboratory tests. The fault so far is limited to a very small amount of cylinders relating to the same batch of manufacture. At this moment in time, they have been unable to establish the exact cause, but it does appear to be limited to water extinguishers manufactured in the middle of 2009. The company informs us that it specifically refers to 0.00006% of products and is therefore a very small risk.
We have been advised that testing is inconclusive at this stage and more testing is underway. Valve design, indexing (tightening) and brass have all been ruled out as causes of the fault, however debris in the batch of brass cannot be ruled out and if indeed was the reason it would be limited to a small quantity within a specific batch.
The failure, when it occurs, would be somewhat dramatic, but at the moment, it appears that no-one has been injured.
JEWEL Saffire Products Ltd and the BFC Council feel that we have a duty to make you aware of the problem, as obviously this failure is likely to occur when your service technician carries out a service, particularly an extended service. You should advise your service technicians to take the appropriate precautions when they come across these extinguishers.
Please feel free to talk to Mike Ditanna at Jewel Saffire Products Ltd on 0845 330 5406 who will accommodate your enquiry or concerns.
The most mystifying thing about this situation is that these valves are not exclusive to Jewel Saffire Products Limited and are used by other manufacturers within in the UK. However they have not yet reported similar problems"
