U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

August 8, 2007
Contact: CPSC Public Affairs, (301) 504-7908
**Media & Consumer Alert**

August Deadline Approaching for End to Central Sprinkler O-Ring Sprinkler Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging residential and commercial property owners who have O-ring sprinklers covered under the previously-announced recall and have not yet filed a claim to replace them, to contact Central Sprinkler immediately. Home and commercial property owners need to submit their claim by AUGUST 31 in order to receive free replacement heads. The voluntary replacement program (VRP), which was first announced in July 2001, included about 35 million O-ring fire sprinklers that might not operate in a fire. To participate in the replacement sprinkler program, property owners must submit "Proof of Claim" and "Waiver and Release of Claims" forms to Central Sprinkler Company postmarked by August 31, 2007. Valid claims received prior to the deadline will qualify for free replacement sprinkler heads and installation services. Consumers can obtain additional information on identifying the sprinklers covered by this recall and instructions on filing a claim by visiting www.sprinklerreplacement.com or by calling Central Sprinkler at (800) 871-3492 anytime.

Reverse Polarity City Ties / UDACT's

The recent elimination of reverse polarity City Ties, and the addition of Auto Dialers, or UDACT's is creating a problem in the field. These units are being installed within the Fire Alarm Cabinets, with their transformers mounted within the same cabinet. Often, the installer is "sharing" either one , or both of the FACP batteries.

The membership should be advised that any equipment mounted within a Fire Alarm Cabinet has to be UL listed with that product. If it not, the manufacturers can remove the limited product liability for their equipment and possibly void the UL Listings. These units may share the 120 VAC power for the FACP, but no other power unless listed with the FACP in question.

It is also important that the installers of these units make sure that all portions of the FACP is considered: Alarm, Trouble, and Supervisory contacts. Many of the Fire Alarm Panels offer UL listed UDACT's for their products which are compatible, and listed for internal mounting. These units have Contact ID, or SIA operations and can be programmed to dial any Central Station the end user would require. They do not specifically lock in any FA Vendor, and meet all Code and UL requirements. 

If you have any questions regarding this please let me know.

Frank Frizell, NFS Inc.