Original; see modified release: CPSC Reminds Consumers that Deadline Nears for Fire Sprinkler Claims

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
July 16, 1999
Release # 99-143 		Company Phone Number: (800) 896-5685
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052

CPSC Reminds Consumers that Deadline Nears for Fire Sprinkler Claims

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is reminding property owners that they must submit a "proof of claim" form and a "waiver and release of claims" form to Central Sprinkler Co. postmarked by August 1, 1999, to qualify for reimbursement toward labor costs associated with replacing their Omega brand fire sprinklers. CPSC and Central Sprinkler announced the recall of approximately 8.4 million Omega brand fire sprinklers last October. Since the announcement, CPSC has received additional reports of fires in which Omegas have allegedly failed to activate. Previously, CPSC had reported 17 fires that caused at least four injuries and over $4.3 million in property damage.

Under the recall, consumers with Omegas have until August 1, 1999, to file a claim to receive replacement sprinklers and monetary reimbursement toward installation costs incurred in replacing the Omegas. Consumers missing this deadline remain eligible to receive free replacement sprinklers, but no labor reimbursement.

Consumers can obtain the proper forms needed by clicking on the Omega recall website at www.omegarecall.com or calling the Omega recall hotline at (800) 896-5685.

Omega brand sprinklers were one of the most popular residential fire sprinklers installed in homes, schools, hospitals, dormitories, nursing homes, prisons, and hotels. Consumers can identify most Omegas by the three flat round dime-size metal disks stacked one above the other with a small space between each disk. The specific Omega sprinkler models recalled are 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, EC-20, EC-20A, R-1, R-1A, R-1M, Flow Control (FC, Flow Control-FC), Protector-M or M Protector (Upright, Pendent, Sidewall, Sidewall EC), HEC-12, EC-12 RES, HEC-12 EC, HEC-12 EC PRO, HEC-12 ID, HEC-12 PRO, HEC-12 PRO QR, HEC-20, Prohibitor QR and AC.