The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·81020·Announced 1981-08-03

Chloride Pyrotector Recalls Battery-Operated Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Chloride Pyrotector is recalling specific battery-operated photoelectric smoke detectors because a defective microchip may prevent the alarm from sounding during a fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

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 safety-critical device (smoke detector) that may fail to sound during a fire, posing a significant risk of harm. Per the rubric, this is classified as High (3) because it is a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported.

Plain-English summary

Chloride Pyrotector, a division of Chloride, Inc., is voluntarily recalling certain commercial and residential battery-operated photoelectric smoke detectors in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall involves units sold since 1979 under the brand names Chloride Pyrotector, Archer, Masterguard, Vanguard, Vantage I, and Protect-er Systems. Some of the 185,000 detectors manufactured between March 1, 1979, and March 15, 1981, may contain a defective electronic microchip (transistor array semiconductor) that prevents the alarm from sounding in the presence of smoke.

Affected models include Chloride Pyrotector Models 3077, 3078, and 3079; Archer number 275453 (sold through Radio Shack); Masterguard MGB 360; Vanguard 817; and Protect-er Systems P365. These units also feature a 6-digit data code on the housing indicating dates between 030179 and 031581.

Consumers should check the model or code number on the interior housing by removing the back plate. To verify the integrity of the detector, users should test the horn with a fresh, factory-specified 9-volt battery. If the horn sounds when the test button is pressed, the detector does not contain the defective microchip. If the horn does not sound, consumers should contact Roberta Calla at Chloride Pyrotector at 1-800-343-5647 for instructions on obtaining a free replacement or repair. Consumers can also verify model numbers by contacting the CPSC toll-free hotline at 800-638-2772.

The recalled product

Product
Archer battery-operated photoelectric smoke detectors
Manufacturer
Vantage I
Category
Consumer Product — Smoke Detectors
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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