The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·03520·Announced 2003-02-05

Thomas & Betts Recalls Emergency Exit Signs Due to Fire Hazard

Thomas & Betts is recalling about 31,000 emergency exit signs sold under Lightalarms, Emergi-Lite, and Dynaray brands because internal components may overheat and cause a fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with 19 reports of overheating and smoking, which constitutes significant property damage reports, meeting the criteria for a Severe (4) rating.

Plain-English summary

Thomas & Betts Corporation is recalling approximately 31,000 emergency exit signs sold under the Lightalarms, Emergi-Lite, and Dynaray brand names. The recalled units were manufactured between January 1997 and June 1999 and were sold nationwide by electrical wholesalers and distributors for between $75 and $80. These signs are designed to mark exits in public buildings such as schools, offices, and shopping centers during power failures.

The recall is due to a fire hazard. When connected to 277-volt electrical systems, an internal electrical component in the signs can overheat and fail, potentially melting the plastic enclosure. There have been 19 reports of the signs overheating, smoking, or causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.

Building managers should contact Thomas & Betts to request a free repair kit. Only signs with a red LED that are installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. The recalled units have a white or black plastic housing, a raised bead around the edge of the front face, and a rectangular rocker switch on the bottom. The product make, model, and date code are located on a label inside the enclosure.

The recalled product

Product
Emergency Exit Signs
Category
Consumer Product — Emergency Lighting
Hazard
Affected units
31,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls