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Millions of fire sprinklers that could fail recalled

October 14, 1998
Web posted at: 1:15 p.m. EDT (1715 GMT)
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BETHESDA, Maryland (CNN) -- More than 8 million fire sprinklers installed in homes, schools and federal buildings across the United States -- including the Smithsonian Museums and U.S. Capitol -- are being recalled because of defects and the likelihood they will fail in a fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of 8.4 million Omega sprinklers Wednesday. The agency said it has received reports of the sprinklers not functioning in at least 17 fires nationwide that resulted in four injuries and property damage worth more than $4.3 million.

"Properly functioning fire sprinklers save lives when a fire occurs. With the Omega sprinklers, this line of defense may not be there when it is needed most," a statement from the agency said.

Omega Sprinkler Recall Hotline
(800) 896-5685

On Tuesday, in anticipation of Wednesday's ruling, Omega's manufacturer Central Sprinkler Corp. said it would go along with the recall after repeatedly refusing to cooperate with the federal consumer agency. The company will spend $40 million to recall and replace the faulty sprinklers. The federal agency warned consumers that they are at risk of bodily injury or death and should have the Omega sprinklers replaced as soon as possible.

The CPSC urged anyone who suspects their home or workplace may have Omegas to call the Omega Sprinkler Recall Hotline at (800) 896-5685, or check the recall Web site at http://omegarecall.com.

Omega fire sprinklers have been installed in homes, schools, hospitals, dormitories, nursing homes, prisons, offices, hotels and other buildings since 1983. The sprinklers have been or are being removed from many state and federal buildings, including the White House.

The Omega sprinklers are manufactured by Central Sprinkler Corp. and its subsidiary Central Sprinkler Co. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Central is offering consumers free replacement glass bulb fire sprinklers and reimbursement toward the cost of having the older sprinklers removed and replaced.

The recall of the Omega sprinklers includes models 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.

The CPSC alleges that, on average, between 30 and 40 percent of the sprinklers failed to activate properly during tests nationwide. The sprinklers, small devices typically installed in ceilings, are supposed to spray water when the system detects smoke or fire. In some cases, sprinklers located directly above flames failed to operate.

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