The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·03116·Announced 2003-04-25

Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers Recalled for Failure Risk

American Household Inc. is recalling approximately 60,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers manufactured by Chemetron Corporation between 1977 and 1982 because they may fail to operate in a fire.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (fire sprinklers) where injury has not yet been reported for the specific units in question, fitting the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

American Household Inc. (AHI), formerly Sunbeam Corporation, is recalling approximately 60,000 Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers. These sprinklers were manufactured by Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of AHI, from 1977 through 1982. The recalled units have the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and the year of manufacture molded onto the sprinkler.

The sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury. Although there have been no reports of failures for sprinklers manufactured by Chemetron, CPSC has received reports of two failures involving Star ME-1 dry sprinklers manufactured by other companies. These sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings subject to freezing, such as unheated attics, freezers, coolers, porches, and parking garages. Facilities affected include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets, warehouses, hospitals, and office buildings.

AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. For more information, consumers should call (316) 219-7325. The Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, which manufactured Star ME-1 sprinklers from 1983 through 1995, has issued a safety notice warning building owners to replace these sprinklers, as it has no assets to fund a recall. Mealane Corporation and Central Sprinkler Company have also addressed recalls for Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured in other time periods.

The recalled product

Product
Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers
Manufacturer
Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of AHI, of Boca Raton, Fla.
Category
Consumer Product — Fire Safety Equipment
Hazard
Affected units
60,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire safety failure

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