More sprinklers being recalled.

CPSC's Public Affairs office sent out back-to-back news releases on April 25, announcing the recall of "Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers." The companies involved are American Household Inc. (AHI), formerly known as Sunbeam Corporation, and Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, Inc. (SCM), formerly known as Star Sprinkler Corporation. Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of AHI, made the sprinklers from 1977 through 1982.

CPSC had filed an administrative complaint against the companies in October 2001, alleging that the sprinklers were defective and were likely to fail to operate in a fire.

The lawsuit was recently settled, and although Sunbeam Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection in February 2001, AHI has agreed to pay up to $1 million to assist in the replacement of the Star ME-1 dry sprinklers made by its subsidiary, Chemetron.

Previously, CPSC announced that Mealane Corporation agreed to recall its Star ME-1 sprinklers made from 1961 through 1976 and Central Sprinkler Company agreed to replace Star ME-1 fire sprinklers made from 1996 through 1998.

Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee has no assets and is unable to conduct a recall, but issued a safety notice to building owners to replace these sprinklers.

The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) standard 25, "Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-based Fire Protection Systems," was recently revised to require replacement or testing of dry sprinklers that have been in service for 10 years or more.

CPSC recommended that Star-ME-1 fire sprinklers produced from 1994 through 1995 also should be replaced because, over time, they can cease to operate effectively in a fire. For further information, go to the NFPA's web site, www.nfpa.org, or the National Fire Sprinkler Association's website at www.nfsa.org.