CPSC Sues Central Sprinkler Over Defective Fire Sprinklers
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 1998
Release # 98-075
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
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 fire safety
publications.
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, to complete the fire sprinkler questionnaire. If you have questions send an email message to info@cpsc.gov or call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at (800) 638-2772, ext. 300.
