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NEWS
from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Russ Rader March 4, 1998
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1166
Release # 98-075
CPSC Sues Central Sprinkler Over Defective Fire Sprinklers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) announced today that its staff has filed an administrative
Complaint against Central Sprinkler Corp., and its subsidiary
Central Sprinkler Co., of Lansdale, Pa., alleging that Central's
"Omega" series fire sprinklers present a substantial product
hazard. The Complaint seeks a nationwide recall of the approximately
10 million Omega fire sprinklers that Central has manufactured
since 1982.
In its Complaint, the CPSC staff alleges that these sprinklers
are defective and are likely to fail in a fire situation.
The sprinklers may not properly activate in the event of
a fire, thus exposing the public to bodily injury or death.
CPSC is aware of six fires in which Omega fire sprinklers
reportedly failed to operate. In one of these instances,
the fire caused more than $3 million in property damage.
The Commission staff filed the Complaint after discussions
with the company and its representatives failed to result
in a voluntary recall and replacement plan acceptable to
CPSC. This type of legal action against a company is rare.
This is only the second time in 10 years that the CPSC staff
has filed such a suit.
In seeking a recall of the Omega sprinklers, the Complaint
calls for extensive public notice of the hazard and remedy.
Only Central's Omega series fire sprinklers are involved,
including, but not limited to, models referred to or marked
as follows: C1 (or C-1), C1A (or C-1A), C-1A PRO (or C1-A
PRO), C1-A PRO QR, C-1A PRO ID, EC-20, EC-20A, EC-20 AID,
R-1, R-1A, R-1M, Flow Control (FC; Flow Control-FC), M,
Protector-M or M Protector (Upright, Pendent, Sidewall,
Sidewall EC), HEC-12, HEC-12 RES, HEC-12 EC, HEC-12 EC PRO,
HEC-12 ID, HEC-12 PRO, HEC-12 PRO QR, HEC-20, HEC-20 ID,
Prohibitor QR and AC. They are installed in homes, schools,
hospitals, dormitories, nursing homes, offices and other
buildings.
From a distance, consumers may be able to make a preliminary
determination of whether their homes or other buildings
are equipped with Omega fire sprinklers. On most models,
consumers will be able to see one to three flat round metal
disks stacked above one another with a small space between
each disk. Because it is difficult to conclusively determine
whether Omegas are installed, CPSC strongly encourages consumers
to contact their architect, builder, sprinkler contractor,
plumber, homeowners' association or property manager. Consumers
should not attempt to unscrew the sprinkler or shut down
their sprinkler system to determine if they have Omegas.
While the Commission staff pursues an acceptable recall
and replacement plan, consumers with Omega fire sprinklers
should be sure to have at least one fully operational smoke
detector on every floor of their home, especially near bedrooms.
The Commission staff also recommends that consumers have
a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate
escape plan in the event of a fire. As always, consumers
should diligently practice fire safety to reduce the possibility
that a fire will occur. Consumers can obtain fire safety
information by calling CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800)
638-2772 or by visiting CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov.
The Commission staff urges anyone who is aware of any instances
in which an Omega sprinkler has failed to activate when
tested or in a fire, or who have questions about this announcement,
to call CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the
public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from
15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury
and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call
CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter
at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand,
call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine
and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this
release and recall information via Internet gopher services
at cpsc.gov or report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.
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