For Immediate Release

Contact: D'Arcy Graham at 214-349-5965

[DALLAS, TEXAS - AUGUST 13, 1997] Reacting to published reports about failures of Omega fire sprinklers produced by Central Sprinkler Corporation, the American Fire Sprinkler Association expressed concern that misrepresentations in the media may undermine confidence in automatic fire sprinkler systems.

"We are surprised at these sudden inflammatory media stories about Omega sprinkler failures. This problem was announced months ago by Central Sprinkler Corporation and it affects only a small number of installed sprinklers," said Steve Muncy, president of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. "The manufacturer has been working with testing laboratories to address and solve the problem," he added.

The failure rates quoted in the media imply that a large number of these sprinklers would fail in a fire situation. In an Underwriters Laboratories' test of 800 Omega sprinklers, 69 percent of the sprinklers tested operated at 5 psi. Many others operated within a range that would not constitute an absolute "sprinkler failure," even though they did not operate within the 7 psi for which the sprinklers are listed. Eighty percent operated at 40 psi or less, which means they would have operated under normal water pressure conditions.

In a telephone conversation today, Central's President George Meyer stated emphatically that, contrary to published reports, the affected sprinklers are not the result of improper installation.

Earlier reports from Central indicated the sprinklers could be affected by cutting oil in the system or an introduction of stop-leak type additives into the water supply, an additive prohibited by standards for installation of automatic fire sprinklers.

"Use of cutting oil has been an accepted practice in this industry for many years and has never before presented a problem in sprinkler systems. This is definitely not a problem of installation, but a problem related to the reaction of the older Omega sprinklers with compounds in the water supply," said Steve Muncy.

"I don't know of any professional fire sprinkler contractor that would use stop-leak type additives in the installation of sprinkler systems," Muncy added, noting that the integrity of the system could be compromised after installation.

Central Sprinkler has been working with Underwriters Laboratories to address the problem. They request sprinkler contractors, building owners or system inspectors who know of a building with Omega heads installed contact the manufacturer at 1-800-523-6512. Samples can be sent to Underwriters Laboratories for free testing.

Robert McCullough, president of AllSouth Sprinkler Company in Lilburn, Georgia and chairman of the American Fire Sprinkler Association, stated that people must keep this issue in perspective and remember that automatic fire sprinklers are still the best method available to protect lives and property from fire.

"Although this is indeed a serious situation, it is important to remember that only a portion of a single model of automatic fire sprinklers have failed, and then only under unusual circumstances. Some sprinklers that were listed as 'failures' actually operated, but at a higher pressure than that established for the Omega sprinkler. In the event of a fire, the chance of these sprinklers controlling the fire is extremely high. Proper testing by UL and Central Sprinkler and replacement when necessary should be done immediately, without panic," he said.

Established in 1981, the American fire Sprinkler Association is a non-profit, international association representing the open shop fire sprinkler contractor. AFSA is dedicated to the educational and professional advancement of the automatic fire sprinkler industry.