The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalCPSC·99008·Announced 1998-10-14

Central Sprinkler Recalls 8.4 Million Omega Fire Sprinklers

Central Sprinkler is recalling approximately 8.4 million Omega fire sprinklers because they may fail to activate during a fire, posing a risk of injury or death.

What this means for you

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

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that CPSC is warning consumers they are at risk of 'bodily injury or death' and reports that at least four persons suffered injuries in fires where the sprinklers failed to activate.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Central Sprinkler announced the nationwide recall of approximately 8.4 million Omega brand fire sprinklers manufactured since 1982. CPSC alleges that these sprinklers are defective and could likely fail in a fire. Testing indicated that between 30 and 40 percent of the sprinklers removed from various locations failed to activate as intended, with some buildings showing total failure rates.

CPSC has received reports of Omega sprinklers not functioning in 17 fires between 1990 and the present. At least four persons suffered injuries, including burns and smoke inhalation, and over $4.3 million in property damage has been reported. The affected sprinklers are installed in various buildings, including homes, schools, hospitals, and federal buildings such as the White House and the Smithsonian Museums.

Consumers are urged to determine if their buildings are equipped with Omega sprinklers by looking for three flat round metal disks stacked one above the other. Central Sprinkler is offering free replacement glass bulb fire sprinklers and reimbursement for removal and replacement costs. Consumers should not attempt to unscrew the sprinkler or shut down their system to identify the product.

The recalled product

Product
Omega Fire Sprinklers Recalled by Central Sprinkler
Manufacturer
Central Sprinkler
Category
Consumer Product — Fire Safety Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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