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 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 http://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.