CPSC Recalls Star ME-1 Dry Sprinklers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and American Household Inc. (AHI), formerly known as Sunbeam Corporation, of Boca Raton, Fla., announced the nationwide recall of about 60,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers, manufactured from 1977 through 1982 by Chemetron Corp., an inactive subsidiary of AHI. The Star ME-1 dry fire sprinkler was also included in a voluntary recall, in cooperation with CPSC, by the Mealane Corp., which manufactured the dry sprinkler model from 1961 through 1976.

There have been no reports of any sprinklers specified in this recall failing while in use, but 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 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.star-recall.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.