Paloma Co. headquarters building in Nagoya

The company said it will replace, free of charge, the four types of heaters responsible for the accidents as well as three other types that have similar designs.

The four instant water heater types involved in the accidents are PH-81F, PH-101F, PH-102F and PH-131F, and the three similar types are PH-82F, PH-132F and PH-161F, all manufactured between 1980 and 1989.

Paloma President Hiroaki Kobayashi apologized for the accidents. He earlier argued that unauthorized alterations of the products' safety apparatus were to blame.

Of the 27 cases the company reported, 14 were caused by alterations of the products' safety devices, but the other 13 were due to aging of the equipment and other reasons.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 22, 2006
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