Central Sprinkler Recalls Omega Fire Sprinklers; Settle Lawsuit

Central Sprinkler announced today the nationwide recall of approximately 8.4 million Omega brand fire sprinklers manufactured since 1982 by Central Sprinkler Corp. and its subsidiary, Central Sprinkler Co., of Lansdale, Pa.

Between 30 and 40 percent of Omegas removed from various locations across the country for testing failed to activate, as they should. In some buildings, all Omegas tested failed to activate. Consumers are at risk of bodily injury or death and should have Omegas replaced as soon as possible. Consumers should take immediate action to determine whether the buildings where they live and work are equipped with Omegas, and if so, to call the Omega Sprinkler Recall Hotline to participate in the recall. 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.

There have been reports of Omega sprinklers not functioning in 17 fires. At least four persons suffered injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation. Over $4.3 million in property damage has been reported. The fires occurred between 1990 and the present in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. In some cases, the sprinkler directly above the fire failed to operate.

Omega fire sprinklers are installed in homes, schools, hospitals, dormitories, nursing homes, prisons, offices, hotels and other buildings as well as federal buildings, including the Smithsonian Museums and the U.S. Capitol, which house many of the country's historical artifacts. Omegas have been or are being removed from many state and federal buildings, including the White House. As part of the settlement agreement, Central has asked Underwriters Laboratories to withdraw its listing of approval for all Omega brand fire sprinklers.

Consumers themselves should be able to determine whether their homes or other buildings are equipped with Omega fire sprinklers. On most models, consumers will be able to see three flat round metal disks stacked one above the other with a small space between each disk. Consumers should not attempt to unscrew the sprinkler or shut down their sprinkler system to determine if they have Omegas. Central will send consumers a packet of information to help them identify the sprinklers involved.

The recall of the Omega sprinklers includes models 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.

Central is offering consumers free replacement glass bulb fire sprinklers and reimbursement toward the cost of having Omega sprinklers removed and replaced. CPSC routinely requires companies to pay the full costs associated with recalls. In this case, Central's reported financial condition reveals that its ability to pay the cost of replacing the Omega sprinklers is limited.

Consumers are urged to call the Omega Sprinkler Recall Hotline, available 24 hours a day, at (800) 896-5685 or to access the Omega recall website at omegarecall.com to participate in the recall. For consumers to get any monetary reimbursement for installation costs, they must submit a proof of claim and release to Central postmarked by August 1, 1999. Consumers are urged to take immediate action and call today.