CPSC, Mealane Corp. Announce Recall of Star Fire Sprinklers
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 1999 -- As many as one million fire sprinklers in nursing homes could fail in the event of a fire, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports.As the result of a CPSC investigation, Mealane Corp. of
Philadelphia, is voluntarily recalling up to one million "Star" brand fire
sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976. The sprinklers have been installed
nationwide, primarily in nursing homes. They also may be found in hospitals, schools,
resorts, stores, office buildings, warehouses and supermarkets.
CPSC reports that 67 percent of the sprinklers that were removed from locations across the
country and submitted for testing to independent testing laboratories failed to activate
properly.
CPSC has received one report of a Star sprinkler
allegedly not functioning in a bedroom fire in a nursing home.
The Star sprinklers being recalled are dry-type models D-1, RD-1, RE-1, E-1 and ME-1 made
from 1961 through 1976. The name "Star" appears on the sprinkler, along with the
model number and date of manufacture. With "dry-type" sprinklers, portions of
the pipe do not have water in them until the sprinkler activates.
The former Star Sprinkler Co., of Philadelphia, Pa.,
sold its assets and changed its name in June 1976 and became known as Mealane Corp.
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, an independent,
not-for-profit organization that evaluates and accredits hospitals and other
long-term-care facilities, is supporting the recall with CPSC.
Consumers and property owners should determine whether their facilities contain these
recalled sprinklers and if so, call the Star Sprinkler Recall Hotline at (800)
866-7807 or access the website at www.star-recall.com
to participate in the recall.
Mealane will provide free replacement sprinkler heads
and reimbursement for the labor costs of removing and replacing the old units.
CPSC is continuing its ongoing investigation of fire sprinklers.
