BRK Electronics Recalls AC-Powered Smoke Detectors Due to Fire Risk

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced an agreement with Pittway Corp., doing business as BRK Electronics, to recall approximately 115,000 AC-powered smoke detectors. The recall involves units manufactured between March 1974 and September 26, 1975, which were marketed by BRK, American Machine & Foundry (AMF), I-T-E Imperial Corporation, and Sears, Roebuck & Company. The affected detectors are 110-volt AC-powered units that were sold for a suggested retail price of $39.95; battery-powered detectors are not involved.

The recall addresses a defect consisting of incorrectly rated resistors used in the BRK SS749 series smoke detectors. This defect could cause the products to fail to operate and, in certain instances, to catch fire. Pittway Corp. agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty settlement regarding its alleged failure to report this defect to the Commission. The company has voluntarily returned approximately 60,000 units thus far and has agreed to intensify efforts to locate the remaining detectors.

Homeowners are urged to check the model number on their smoke detectors to see if they are affected. Affected model numbers include BRK SS749AC, SS749ACS, SS749L, SS749SL; AMF 2000AC, 2000ACL; I-T-E ITOl-AC; and Sears 9-57049, 9-57047, and 9-57048. Before inspecting hard-wired detectors, consumers must turn off electrical power at the fuse box or circuit breaker; line cord detectors must be unplugged. Owners of affected Sears units should contact their nearest Sears store for inspection and free replacement. Owners of other affected units should contact BRK Electronics to obtain a fact sheet with specific identification criteria and replacement instructions.

The recalled product

Product

AMF AC-powered smoke detectors

Manufacturer

AMF

Category

Consumer Product — Smoke Detectors

Hazard

• fire
• product-failure

Distribution

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