Original; see modified release: American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) Recall
of Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers, Administrative Lawsuit Settlement
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
This is the original of a document that has been modified. To see the modified version, click here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2003
Release # 03-116
Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 551-5014 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7908
CPSC, American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) Announce Recall
of Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers, Administrative Lawsuit Settlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
and American Household Inc. (AHI), formerly known as Sunbeam
Corporation, of Boca Raton, Fla., today announced the nationwide recall
of about 60,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers. Chemetron Corporation, an
inactive subsidiary of AHI, manufactured these sprinklers from 1977
through 1982. This recall announcement follows the resolution of an
administrative proceeding (Part 1) (Part 2) filed by CPSC on October 9, 2001, in which
CPSC alleged these sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to
operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or
serious injury.
CPSC reports that samples of Star ME-1 sprinklers removed from
several locations and tested by independent testing laboratories did not
operate as intended. Although there have been no reports that Star ME-1
dry sprinklers manufactured by Chemetron Corporation have failed to
operate while in use, CPSC has received reports of two failures
involving Star ME-1 dry sprinklers manufactured by other companies. One
report involved a 1976 sprinkler, and the other, sprinklers installed in
1990.
Chemetron's Star ME-1 sprinklers have the following information
molded onto the sprinkler: the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and
the year of manufacture, starting with 1977 and ending with 1982. These
sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings where the
sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing. Examples of
such areas include unheated attics, freezers and coolers, porches, and
parking garages. The types of facilities in which the sprinklers were
installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care
facilities, supermarkets and other stores, warehouses, hospitals, and
office buildings.
Although Sunbeam Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection in
February 2001, AHI has agreed to pay up to $1 million to assist in the
replacement of the Star ME-1 dry sprinklers that Chemetron manufactured
from 1977 through 1982.
To receive payment for sprinkler replacement, consumers must
follow specific procedures and must submit claims by September 29, 2005.
For more information, consumers should call (888) 551-5014 toll-free
anytime or visit the recall Web site at www.starme1recall.com.
CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily agreed to recall Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976 and Central Sprinkler Company voluntarily agreed to replace Star ME-1 fire
sprinklers manufactured from 1996 through 1998. The Sprinkler
Corporation of Milwaukee, which manufactured Star ME-1 sprinklers from
1983 through 1995, has no assets with which to fund a recall, but is
issuing a safety notice warning building owners to replace these
sprinklers.