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Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Safety and Health Information Bulletins >
Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers |
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Preface The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued warnings [1,2,3,4] to consumers regarding the use of Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers manufactured from 1961-1998 by various manufacturers. The CPSC warns that the Star ME-1 sprinklers present a serious safety risk and that the heads should be replaced immediately. The following companies have manufactured over 3.5 million ME-1 sprinklers during the specified time period and have issued voluntary recalls:
The purpose of this Safety and Health Information Bulletin is to:
CPSC received two reports of failures involving Star ME-1 dry sprinklers, one report concerning a 1976 sprinkler and the other on sprinklers installed in 1990 [2]. Several sprinklers were removed from locations and tested by independent testing laboratories. The results showed that 64 percent of the tested Star ME-1 sprinklers did not activate as required and failed the testing. In addition, many of the Star ME-1's failed at water pressures far exceeding requirements [5]. For example, activation of some sprinkler heads required water pressures higher than may be available in some buildings. Water pressure requirements vary depending upon building use, occupancy, and hazards as defined by National Fire Protection Association. Findings reported in the referenced CPSC administrative proceeding allege that the sprinklers are defective, will likely fail to operate during a fire, and could expose employees to death or serious injury [5]. The proceeding, which was recently resolved, led to the recall of the sprinklers. Description The Star ME-1 is intended to operate in accordance with applicable installation codes and listings, such as National Fire Protection Association or Underwriter's Laboratory, Inc. The Star ME-1 is designed so that when the temperature reaches a particular level, the thermal sensing element at the exposed end of the sprinkler will melt and allow water to flow through and discharge from the sprinkler. Due to inadequate design and/or manufacturing, the Star ME-1 sprinkler will likely fail to operate as intended during fires [5]. Star ME-1 sprinklers are identified with the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and a year of manufacture, for example "81" represents 1981. Figure 1 shows where to locate the identifying information on a sprinkler head. The Star ME-1 sprinklers have been installed in a number of workplaces, including factories, hotels, hospitals, schools, resorts, office buildings, warehouses, nursing homes, and supermarkets. Recommendations OSHA recommends that employers whose workplaces are equipped with dry sprinkler systems take steps to identify and then replace Star ME-1 sprinkler heads. Employers should check with a fire protection engineering consultant or sprinkler design company when replacing these sprinklers and when evaluating existing systems or designing a new installation. Local and state regulations may require that the replacement work be performed either by a licensed party, or under an issued permit, or both. The local and state authorities having jurisdiction should be contacted prior to the replacement. In addition to the Star sprinklers identified, certain other sprinklers are being recalled. Additional information can be obtained about product recalls through the CPSC Press Releases and Recalls website at: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/ prerel.html References
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