The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·99092·Announced 1999-04-08

Interstate Engineering Recalls MasterGuard, Responsive, and Rescue II Heat Detectors

Interstate Engineering is recalling about 40,000 heat detectors that may fail to alarm or alarm too briefly during a fire. Consumers should stop using them and contact Tri Star Enterprises for a free replacement.

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 fire safety device that may fail to alarm during a fire, representing a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the High severity criteria.

Plain-English summary

Interstate Engineering, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is voluntarily recalling approximately 40,000 heat detectors. The affected units are mechanical, round, off-white aluminum devices roughly 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches high, featuring a brass-colored metal disk at the center. They do not use batteries or electricity. The recall covers three private label models: MasterGuard model MG-50/70, Responsive model TRI70, and Rescue II model R-50FT. These units have serial numbers ranging from 980400001 through 981108112 located on the label beneath the removable mounting bracket.

The recall is being issued because the heat detectors can fail to alarm or alarm for a shorter period of time than intended when fire is present. Interstate Engineering and CPSC are aware of one incident where a heat detector failed to operate properly during a retail demonstration. Subsequent testing by Interstate Engineering identified approximately 38 additional failures. CPSC is not aware of any failures during use by consumers, and no injuries have been reported.

The heat detectors were sold nationwide primarily through in-home demonstrations and sales parties from May 1998 through December 1998 for about $225 or higher. Prices were determined by Interstate Engineering's private label resellers. Consumers should stop using these heat detectors immediately and call Tri Star Enterprises at (800) 854-6185 for a free replacement. CPSC reminds consumers that heat detectors are intended to supplement smoke detectors and should not be relied upon as substitutes for smoke detectors.

The recalled product

Product
MasterGuard heat detectors
Manufacturer
MasterGuard
Category
Consumer Product — Fire Safety Equipment
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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