CPSC Warns to Replace Defective Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers
CPSC advises replacing Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers made by Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee because they may fail in a fire, risking death or injury.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The source explicitly states the sprinklers are likely to fail in a fire, exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury, which aligns with the rubric criteria for 'Severe' (significant injury reports or structural defect risk).
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to replace Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers manufactured by Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, Inc. (SCM), formerly known as Star Sprinkler Corporation. Approximately 400,000 units were distributed. These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury. CPSC has received reports of two failures involving these sprinklers, one involving a 1976 sprinkler and the other involving sprinklers installed in 1990.
The affected sprinklers have the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and a year of manufacture between 1983 and 1995 molded onto them. They were typically installed in areas of buildings where sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing, such as unheated attics, freezers, coolers, porches, and parking garages. Facilities where these sprinklers were installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets, warehouses, hospitals, and office buildings.
Because SCM is no longer in operation and has no assets, it is unable to conduct a recall, and no free replacement or refund is available. Building owners are urged to follow CPSC guidance by inspecting their sprinkler systems and replacing any Star ME-1 fire sprinklers manufactured from 1983 through 1995. For more information on testing and replacing dry type fire sprinklers, visit the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org or the National Fire Sprinkler Association website at www.nfsa.org. For more information on the SCM Star ME-1 fire sprinklers, call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772.
The recalled product
- Product
- Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers
- Manufacturer
- Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, Inc. (SCM), formerly known as Star Sprinkler Corporation
- Affected units
- 400,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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