(TORONTO Aug. 3, 2006)
CSA International and Robertshaw Controls Co. announce a voluntary recall of gas controls installed in commercial cooking appliances

In cooperation with CSA International, Robertshaw Controls Co. of West Plains, Missouri is voluntarily recalling approximately 200 FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves in Canada. These controls are designed to prevent gas from flowing when the pilot light is out. The recalled controls can remain on after the pilot light is extinguished. If this happens, gas can continue to flow to the main burner of the appliance, posing a risk of a gas explosion and fire. Robertshaw has received one report in the United States of a gas ignition incident.

The FS Flame Switches and FM Automatic Safety Valves being recalled may have been installed on Natural and Propane gas commercial cooking equipment, such as ranges, pasta cookers, deep fat fryers or griddles. The recalled FS Flame Switches may have been installed on the following commercial cooking equipment brands: Keating (of Chicago), PMI Food Equipment Group, Vulcan, South bend, Blodgett, Toastmaster and Wolf Range. The recalled FM Automatic Safety Valves may have been installed on the following commercial cooking equipment brands: Bari (Restaurant and Pizzeria), Southbend and Blodgett. The model number and/or serial numbers can be found on the cooking appliance identification plate located on the appliance. For a detailed list of appliances with recalled switches and valves, visit www.robertshaw.com.

The recalled controls may have been installed on commercial cooking equipment sold to food service providers from August 2005 through June 2006 for the FS Flame Switches and from April 2006 through June 2006 for the FM Automatic Safety Valves. The potentially affected controls bear a date code. For FS products, the recalled controls are those bearing a date code falling between 0531 and 0549 or between 0613 and 0625. For FM products, the recalled controls are those bearing a date code falling between 0613 and 0625. In Canada, the affected controls were primarily sold by Invensys Climate Controls Canada Inc. as after market repair parts. Cooking equipment installed or serviced before August 2005 is not affected.

Those who believe they could have recalled controls on their cooking appliances should contact Robertshaw Controls Co. who will arrange for a free replacement, if necessary. If you smell gas near the appliance or in the building, immediately leave the area and call your gas company, a certified gas technician or emergency services to investigate the cause. For more information, call Robertshaw Controls Co. toll free at (800) 232-9389 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, or visit www.robertshaw.com.

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA's marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes: CSA, a developer of standards and codes; OnSpeX for consumer product evaluation services; and QMI, a leading North American management systems registrar. CSA International can be found online at www.csa-international.org

(Chicago, IL)
TEC Receives Natural Gas Industry Product of the Year Award

The Gas Foodservice Equipment Network (GFEN) presented the 2006 GFEN "Blue Flame" Product of the Year Award to Thermal Engineering Corporation (TEC) for its new Searmaster II Charbroiler during the recent National Restaurant Association Expo in Chicago.

The prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding innovation and technology in foodservice equipment, was presented to Bill Best, TEC’s Chairman and CEO, by Tim Cole of the Gas Technology Institute and Chair of the GFEN Technical Committee, Tom Stroozas, Past GFEN Chair from Piedmont Natural Gas, and Curt Alexander of CPS Energy and presiding GFEN Chairman.

TEC’s new line of flare-resistant infrared char-broilers is cutting edge technology. The Searmaster II employs 100% sheet steel infrared burners, in combi-nation with TEC’s patented secondary radiant emitter panel system, to provide unprecedented cooking inten-sity, range and uniformity, with virtually no flare-ups. And for chefs who desire some visible flame, the cooking grids may be elevated with an optional grid elevation bracket.

TEC’s new burners are not susceptible to impact breakage or water damage. They will not backflash, even when severely overfired or underfired. TEC’s radiant infrared glass panels are placed less than an inch above the burner tops, which have roughly the same surface area. The perforated stainless burner apertures produce a flameless glow and are specially configured so that the glass above emits 100% radiant energy into the cooking surface, with at least 95% cooking uniformity.

TEC originally began to use radiant panels as sec-ondary infrared emitters in 2000 and has manufactured a series of consumer grills that employ glass emitter panels above ceramic burners. The Searmaster II rep-resents a great advancement of the radiant secondary emitter concept by employing it with the new and unique all-metal burner. Users can rapidly sear foods or slow cook for hours, all while retaining the foods’ natural moisture. Plus, this innovative technology allows for cookware to be used directly on the cook-ing grids or on the emitter panels themselves. This new grilling system also provides a wide spectrum of heating range — from barely warming to searing with great intensity. In short, the Searmaster II is a versatile piece of cooking equipment that is certain to get the attention of operators in all types of commercial foodservice operations. According to Curt Alexander, GFEN Chairman, "The manufacturers who receive the GFEN Product of the Year Award have reached new heights of present day technology and are recognized through this award for exceeding the needs and expectations of customers nationwide. TEC has demonstrated such credibility and is distinguished as the recipient of this year’s award."

Upon receiving the award, TEC’s CEO and Chairman Bill Best expressed his appreciation by saying, "On behalf of all of the people at TEC that helped develop the Searmaster II, we express how honored we are to receive the Blue Flame Award from GFEN. We are all aware of the judges’ many years of experience, and their knowledge of the industry adds even more significance to this valu-able recognition."

For more information about the TEC Searmaster II, call Thermal Engineering Corporation in Columbia, SC at (803) 783-0750 or visit their website at www.tecinfrared.com

For more information about the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network and the Product of the Year Award, visit www.gfen.info or call (202) 824-7153.

To find out more about past winners, go to Blue Flame Award Product of the Year page to download the application. Entries are being accepted for the 2007 award by GFEN's Technical Committee. We look forward to your submissions.

(Washington, DC) The Energy Solutions Center (ESC) is pleased to announce that the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network, dedicated to bringing new gas solutions to the restaurant and foodservice industry, will now be operating as an Energy Solutions Center Consortium.

"The Gas Foodservice Equipment Network has launched innovative and successful programs to educate foodservice personnel about how gas equipment improves productivity and product quality,” said John Senkewicz, ESC’s Chairman of the Board. "By operating as an ESC consortium, GFEN can access enhanced resources, thereby strengthening its effectiveness and outreach.”

The new Gas Foodservice Equipment Network Consortium already has more than 20 energy utility members and over 30 equipment manufacturers and related companies. The Consortium hopes to expand its ability to demonstrate new kinds of gas equipment, showcase the benefits of gas use to restaurants and other foodservice establishments, and train the foodservice industry in the proper purchase, use, and installation of gas equipment and related systems.

Curt Alexander, GFEN Chairman, said "Many gas utilities are missing out on opportunities to reach the fast growing foodservice industry, and by combining ESC and GFEN, we hope to make it easier for the gas industry to participate in our efforts. We will continue to produce high quality catalogues and case studies highlighting the successful use of gas equipment in foodservice applications."

The ESC GFEN Consortium will convene for the first time February 14, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas at the Energy Solutions Center’s next Technology and Market Assessment Forum.