Recall of Fire Protection System Sprinklers

PDF Version of BQA 01-034 (PDF, 16 KB)

Date: August 8, 2001 -- DSL-BQA-01-034

From: Janet Eakins, Chief, Provider Regulation and Quality Improvement Section

cc: Susan Schroeder, Director, Bureau of Quality Assurance

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Central Sprinkler Company, are announcing a voluntary replacement program. Central initiated this action because it discovered that o-rings deteriorate and can result in a sprinkler head not activating in a fire.

Included is a summary of the CPSC and Central Sprinkler Corporation voluntary recall program. The summary provides the contacts, sprinkler model numbers, and instructions for the program. Facilities are responsible for maintenance and inspection of their fire protection systems, therefore if suspected sprinkler heads are identified, contact the Central Sprinkler Company.

For more information on how to identify sprinklers subject to the program and to learn how to participate in the program, call the Notice Packet Request Line at 1-800-871-3492 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or access the program's web site at www.SprinklerReplacement.com (exit DHFS).

If you have any questions about how to complete the forms or how to identify the O-ring seal sprinkler heads involved in this program, please call the Central Sprinkler Company Customer Service Hotline at 1-866-505-8553, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

The facility should retain records of this activity, including the response and corrective action taken to alleviate any problems. We ask that you share this information with your staff, taking whatever action is appropriate.

Additional information can be obtained from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site at www.cpsc.gov (exit DHFS).

Central Sprinkler Company Announce Voluntary Recall To Replace O-Ring Fire Sprinklers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Central Sprinkler Company, an affiliate of Tyco Fire Products LP, of Lansdale, Pa., are announcing a voluntary replacement program. The company will provide free parts and labor to replace 35 million Central fire sprinklers with O-ring seals. The program also includes a limited number of O-ring models sold by Gem Sprinkler Company and Star Sprinkler, Inc. totaling about 167,000 sprinkler heads.

Central initiated this action because it discovered the performance of these O-ring sprinklers can degrade over time. These sprinkler heads can corrode or minerals, salts and other contaminants in water can affect the rubber O-ring seals. These factors could cause the sprinkler heads not to activate in a fire. Central is providing newer fire sprinklers that do not use O-ring seals, and is voluntarily launching this program to provide enhanced protection to its sprinkler customers. This is the third largest replacement program in CPSC history.

Central will provide free of charge replacement sprinkler heads and the labor needed to replace the sprinklers. Central will arrange for the installation by using either its own Central Field Service crews or by contracting with professional sprinkler contractors.

This replacement program includes two kinds of sprinklers, "wet" and "dry." "Wet" sprinklers are installed in piping that is filled with water. "Dry" sprinklers are used in areas that may be exposed to very cold temperatures and the exposed piping does not contain water. Central has received 4 reports of "wet" sprinklers failing to activate during a fire and 9 similar reports on "dry" sprinklers. These incidents resulted in two property damage claims against Central.

The sprinklers were installed nationwide in a wide variety of buildings, including houses, apartments, hospitals, day care facilities, schools, dormitories, nursing homes, supermarkets, parking garages, warehouses, and office buildings.

Central manufactured 33 million "wet" sprinklers with O-rings from 1989 until 2000 that are covered by this program. Central also manufactured 2 million "dry" sprinklers with O-rings from the mid-1970's to June 2001 that are covered by this program. The program also covers 167,000 sprinklers with O-rings manufactured by Gem Sprinkler Co. and Star Sprinkler Inc. from 1995 to 2001. A listing of all the models covered under this voluntary replacement program is attached to the end of this release.

The fire sprinkler heads have the words "CENTRAL" or "STAR", the letters "CSC", the letter "G" in triangle, or a star-shaped symbol stamped on either the metal sprinkler frame or on the deflector. The model designation and date may also be stamped on the frame or deflector. The deflector is the flower, or gear-shaped metal piece at one end of the sprinkler head.

Laboratory testing has indicated that most of the heads would operate in a fire situation, but certain tested heads required higher water pressure to activate than may be available in particular buildings. Due to the number of sprinklers involved, this program will be phased in, with priority based on the age of the sprinklers, the population affected (nursing homes and hospitals will be given priority), and whether the sprinklers show signs of corrosion or leakage. This program puts in place an orderly process that serves the public interest.

Building and home owners should check their fire sprinklers immediately to see if they are part of this voluntary replacement program. For more information on how to identify sprinklers subject to this program and to learn how to participate in this program, call the Notice Packet Request Line at 1-800-871-3492 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or access the program's web site at www.SprinklerReplacement.com (exit DHFS). The Commission is currently working with the sprinkler industry to improve sprinkler reliability and upgrade existing standards and codes.

The Commission and Central emphasize that for sprinkler systems to be effective, they must be regularly inspected, and maintained like a building's heating, cooling, electrical and elevator systems. In addition, the most recent industry standards state that dry sprinkler heads should be tested, and replaced if necessary, at least every 10 years. Central believes all fire sprinkler heads should be tested no later than 10 years after installation, and depending on water quality and other factors, more frequent testing may be appropriate.

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