Dishwashers Guidelines

OMB Control Number 3041-0029

INVESTIGATION GUIDELINE
Appendix 115
February 9, 1998

Automatic Dishwashers
I.

Introduction
When it is possible to conduct either an on-site investigation or a
telephone interview, complete both the narrative and data recording sheet
sections of the guidelines using information from on-site or phone
interviews, photographs of the incident scene, product manuals, and other
reports (e.g. medical examiner's report, fire department reports, etc.).
Attach all documents to the Epidemiologic Investigation Report Form 182.
The amount and type of information collected by the investigator will vary
with each dishwasher incident.
A.

Background Information

Approximately 50 percent (50 million) of U.S. households owned
dishwashers in the early 1990's. The number owned has been increasing at
an annual rate of 2-3 percent with annual sales of about $4.6 million in
1995. The average life expectancy was about 9 years. Dishwasher fires
and related injuries have shown a steady increase through 1994, with a
slight drop in 1995 (Table 1). Property damage was estimated at $8.7
million in 1995. In 1996, 500,000 major brand-name dishwashers were
voluntarily recalled due to various fire-related hazards. There were also
recalls in 1995 and 1993.
The purpose of this investigation is to provide details about
dishwasher-related fires and electrical malfunctions that may be potential
fire hazards. Sources of ignition may include failure of thermostats, control
panels, switches, or wires and wiring connections. All sources of ignition
should be considered during the investigation. Information from these
investigations will be used to help focus efforts towards effective prevention
of injuries and deaths.

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Table 1. Number of Residential Fires and Fire-Related Injuries
and Deaths Associated with Dishwashers, 1990-1995
Year

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

1990

400

20

-

1991

600

20

-

1992

900

30

10

1993

1,000

30

10

1994

1,300

50

-

1995

1,000

40

10

Source: Smith, L and Ault, K. 1995 Residential Fire Loss Estimates, U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission/EHHA

B.

Product Class Description
1.

Definitions and General Description
!
!

Automatic dishwashers are electrically powered.
Unit can either be undercounter or freestanding. See
Figures 1 and 2 below.

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Figure 2.
Freestanding Model

Figure 1.
Undercounter Model
2.

Specific Items of Interest!
!
!

C.

Describe all automatic dishwasher fires and electrical
malfunctions.
Include diagrams of the dishwasher from the manual.
Complete the data recording sheet (attached) in addition
to the narrative section of these guidelines.

Headquarters Contacts
Brenda Gillum, EHHA - 301/504-0470 x1258
Kimberly Ault, EHHA - 301/504-0470 x1269
Hammad Malik, ESEE - 301/504-0508 x1297
Bill King, ESEE - 301/504-0508 x1296

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II.
A.

Instructions for Collecting Specific Information

Free Text Summary
!

Provide a summary of the sequence of events that occurred
prior to, during and subsequent to the fire incident.

!

Prior to the fire incident, did the appliance's operation give
any clue that the appliance was not operating properly?
Examples: Not cleaning properly, unusually loud noises,
leaking noises, etc.

!

Describe if water appeared to be a factor in the cause of the
incident.
Examples: Ruptured hose or leaking valve.

!
B.

Describe in detail any role plastics may have played in
contributing to the spread of fire.

Description of Victim/Operator of Dishwasher and Contact With
Product: (Victim/Product Environment Interface)
!

Describe incident scenarios including any injury or death
sustained.

!

Indicate how frequently dishwasher was used (specify how
many times a day/week, etc.).

!

Indicate age and sex of all victims and the extent or severity
of their injury (e.g. if they were hospitalized, their diagnosis,
etc.).

!

Indicate whether the victim was also the operator of the
dishwasher at the time of the incident.

!

If the victim was also the operator of the dishwasher, indicate
victim's age, sex, height, any competence reducing factors
(e.g., impaired vision, physical handicap, medication).

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!

C.

D.

If the victim was also the operator of the dishwasher, indicate
their experience and knowledge of product (e.g. read and
understood operating instruction manual) and perception of
hazard.

Description of Product
!

Describe size/capacity, conformance with specific standards,
other information on rating plate, etc.

!

Describe any special feature(s), and type of controls.

!

Where is the control panel located?

!

Specify wire size of cord, type of wire insulation (check for
visible deterioration or damage, and indicate whether 2 or 3
wire). Copy all markings on cord and plug.

!

Describe product history: previous problems, repairs,
modifications or alterations, etc. If repaired, specify date,
type of repairs, (what parts were replaced) and by whom
repairs were made. Describe any routine maintenance.

!

Describe what material the tub is made of (e.g. metal or
plastic).

Description of Environment
!

Specify if the unit was wired directly into the circuit or
whether a three-prong grounded plug was used.

!

Specify if there were other appliances on the circuit, and if
so, specify their amperage requirements. To determine if
there are other appliances on the circuit, ask the homeowner.
If unknown, ask the homeowner's permission to check the
circuit. To check for other appliances on the circuit, observe
which appliances turn off when you switch off the current by
"tripping" breakers in the circuit breaker panel (Figure 3) or
disconnecting fuses in the fuse box (Figure 4).

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Figure 4.
Fuse Panel
Figure 3.
Circuit Breaker Panel

!

Specify whether a ground fault circuit interrupter (or GFCI)
was present on the branch circuit or wall outlet, and whether
it shut off the current at the time of the incident. If GFCI did
not shut off current, indicate its age, manufacturer, model
number, etc.

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Figure 5b.
GFCI Receptacle

Figure 5a.
GFCI Circuit Breaker

(Note: The GFCI's in Figures 5a and 5b are safety devices (often with
a reset button) which protect against electrical shock in a branch
circuit. A branch circuit provides electricity to receptacle outlets,
lights and appliances throughout the home. They are fed by the
wires coming from the electrical panel. Additional information can be
found in the CPSC Guide to Home Wiring Hazards, 1990.)
E.

Other
!

III.

Specify general estimated property damage (if any) including
fire spread and dollar loss.

Instructions for Photographing and/or Diagraming Incident Scene and
Factors Related to Incident Sequence
When available, obtain copies of fire department photographs of the fire
scene and any fire department reports. If there are no fire department
photographs and it is possible (and safe) to photograph the fire scene onsite, perform the following steps to thoroughly diagram and photograph the
incident scene and factors related to incident sequence:
1.

If fire escaped appliance and damaged surroundings, describe point of
origin (if location of dishwasher). For example, "The area of the fire
was limited to the inside of the dishwasher which suffered smoke and

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fire damage. The surrounding kitchen area was not effected." If
available, attach and refer to fire department report for this
description.
2.

Take a sequence of several photographs of the area in which the
dishwasher was located starting from the area of no fire-related
damage, progressing towards the area of the most damage. Number
the photographs in sequence. This is done to clearly indicate the
point of origin and document that it indeed was at the same location
that the dishwasher was located. Clearly mark point of origin on
photo with an "X". Mark an assumed north and use as reference for
description of locations in write-up.

3.

Photograph the dishwasher involved in incident. Include closeup
photos of fire-related damage to dishwasher components described in
this report.

4.

Photograph location of dishwasher to illustrate cleanliness or neatness
of area.

5.

Draw a sketch showing the shape of the kitchen or room where the
dishwasher was located (e.g. square, rectangular, L-shaped). Indicate
the place you were standing (with a circle) and the direction you were
facing (with an arrow) when you took the photograph. The numbered
photographs (in sequence) should correspond to the numbered circles
in the sketch (Figure 6).

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Figure 6.
Sketch of Kitchen

IV.

6.

Use the sketch of the kitchen area to show location of appliance,
location of furniture within same room, and location of other
appliances within same room at time of incident (Figure 6).

7.

On the dishwasher diagram (see Figure 7 below), mark the area of the
dishwasher with the most severe fire-related damage (e.g. smoke
damage, burned) by drawing a circle around that entire area. If
known, mark with an "X" the component that most likely failed,
causing the incident.

8.

Indicate whether more than one room or the entire building suffered
fire-related damage. This may be shown or described by fire
department photographs and reports. If not available, photograph and
sketch these areas as described above if it is safe and/or possible to
perform these activities.

Instructions for Obtaining Samples and Documents Related to the
Investigation
!

Stipulate whether the fire department was summoned and
obtain a copy of the report (if available).

!

Obtain copies of the incident report, investigation report, and
casualty report (if available or applicable).

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!

Obtain copies of any insurance or repair reports (if possible).

!

Obtain operating instruction manual (if possible).

!

Collect component of dishwasher that was involved in
incident (if possible and easily discernible). Send samples to
the Sample Custodian at the CPSC Warehouse and notify
EHHA staff that a sample was collected.

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Figure 7. Automatic Dishwasher Diagram

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Attachment A
DATA RECORDING SHEET FOR DISHWASHER FIRES
Complete for all fires and attach to CPSC Form 182, Epidemiologic
Investigation Report, along with a copy of the Fire Incident Report and
Casualty Report (if applicable). (Note: "Unk" is abbreviation for "unknown".
Please limit the use of unknown below whenever possible.)
Task Number___________________ Incident Date (MM/DD/YYYY)________________

A. SOURCES(S) OF INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION
1. Completion of this data recording sheet is based on (check all that apply):
/_/ Visual inspection of unrepaired product by investigator
/_/ Information from interviewing another person(s)
/_/ Written reports (e.g. from fire department)
/_/ Other, specify _________________________________________
B. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Copy all information on rating plate or tags.
2. Type of dishwasher (check one):
/_/ Undercounter model /_/ Freestanding model /_/ Unknown
3. Manufacturer or Brand name (list):_________________________

/_/ Unk

4. Model number (list): _____________________________________

/_/ Unk

5. Serial number (list): _____________________________________

/_/ Unk

6. UL listed? /_/ Yes /_/ No /_/ Unknown

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7. Rating (list from product):

Volts: ____ Watts ____ Amps ____

/_/Unk

8. How old is the dishwasher (give approximate number of weeks, months OR
years)? _____ weeks _____ months ____ yrs old
8a. Was the dishwasher new when purchased?

/_/ Unknown
/_/ Yes

8b. Date of purchase (use MM/DD/YYYY format):
9. Has the dishwasher ever been repaired?

/_/No

__/__/____.

/_/ Yes

/_/ No

/_/ Unk
/_/ Unk

/_/ Unk

9a. If it was repaired, who did the repair? Check one.
/_/ Professional repair person (for example, a plumber)
/_/ Homeowner or do-it-yourselfer
/_/ Unknown
10. Date of last repair (use MM/DD/YYYY format):

__/__/____.

/_/ Unk

11. Who originally installed the dishwasher? Check one.
/_/ Professional installer (for example, plumber)
/_/ Homeowner or do-it-yourselfer
/_/ Unknown
C. INCIDENT
12. Was the dishwasher on during the incident?

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/_/ Yes

/_/ No /_/ Unk

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13. What dishwasher cycle (setting) was the dishwasher on at the time of the
incident? Check one.
/_/ Normal wash cycle

/_/ Air drying cycle

/_/ Light wash cycle

/_/ Rinse and hold cycle

/_/ Pots and pans cycle

/_/ Other, specify ___________

/_/ Heat drying cycle

/_/ Unknown

14. At the time of the incident, was the dishwasher set for delayed start?
/_/ Yes /_/ No /_/ Unknown
15. Was an energy saver feature on?

/_/ Yes /_/ No /_/ Unknown

16. Type of incident (Check all that apply):
/_/ Fire from dishwasher

/_/ Warm or hot when touched

/_/ Smoke from dishwasher

g
/_/ Other,specify____________

/_/ Sparks

/_/ Unknown

/_/ Fumes (unusual odors)
17. Was someone present in residence at time of incident?
/_/ Yes /_/ No

/_/ Unknown

18. Was the heating element (heater) on during the incident?
/_/ Yes /_/ No /_/ Unknown

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19. To what component or area of the dishwasher was there fire-related damage
(that is, burned parts or smoke-covered) (check all that apply)? Refer to
dishwasher diagram (Figure 7).
/_/ Power cord

/_/ Door Switch

/_/ Heater

/_/ Door Latch

/_/ Motor

/_/ All parts of dishwasher damaged

/_/ Timer

/_/ Other, specify_________________

/_/ Spray arms

/_/ Unknown

20. How was the power disconnected at time of the incident? Check one.
/_/ Unplugged the power cord from the receptacle outlet
/_/ Tripping or opening the circuit breaker
/_/ Removing or "blowing" a fuse in the fuse box
/_/ Other, specify ___________________________________________
/_/ Unknown
D. VICTIM(S)
IF NO INJURIES OR DEATHS, GO TO QUESTION 27.
21. Number of victims deceased: _____

/_/ Unknown

22. Number of victims injured: _____

/_/ Unknown

23. Give age and sex of most severely injured victim:
/_/ less than 1 year old

_____ years old

/_/ Male /_/ Female /_/ Unknown

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/_/ Unknown

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24. Did the most severely injured victim visit the emergency
room ?

/_/ Yes

/_/ No

/_/ Unknown

25. Was the most injured victim hospitalized?

/_/Yes

/_/No /_/Unknown

26. If the most injured victim did not go to the hospital, did he/she visit a doctor's
office? /_/ Yes /_/ No /_/ Unknown
27. Give the age and sex of the person operating the dishwasher at the time of
the incident: _____ years old /_/ Unknown
/_/ Male

/_/ Female

/_/ Unknown

27a. Was there any injury to the person operating the dishwasher at the time of
the incident? /_/ Yes

/_/ No /_/ Unknown

E. OTHER
28. Is there a smoke detector in the dwelling?

/_/Yes

/_/No

29. Did the smoke detector alarm go off during the incident?
/_/ Yes /_/No /_/ Unknown
30. Type of Residence (check one):
/_/ House

/_/ Other, specify _______________

/_/ Apartment building /_/ Unknown
/_/ Mobile home or trailer

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/_/Unknown