Omega Fire Sprinkler Recall

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January 24, 2011

Brian Johnston

In October of 1998, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Central Sprinkler Company issued a joint nationwide recall of 8.4 million Omega brand fire sprinklers. However last week, we had two new customers with Central Model HEC-12 installed and had no idea they were part of the recall. This 1998 recall originally represented less than two percent of the total number of sprinkler heads in use (8.4 million out of over 500 million). Knowing sprinkler systems are extremely reliable and will provide the expected high degree of life and property safety, we would like to remind you that Omega heads are still recalled and replacement is at the customers’ expense.

Following the 17 cases in which certain Omega sprinklers failed to activate, a recall of fire sprinklers has been issued. We implore the public and building owners to check their buildings for Omega sprinklers and to contact Master Craft if any of these models are installed. While these incidents are unfortunate, we are grateful that there has been no loss of life reported in these fires. We believe that the hundreds, and possibly thousands, of successful activations utilizing Omega sprinklers further underscore the effectiveness of this preventive measure. Fire sprinklers truly do save lives!

Fire sprinklers have a superior success rate when properly inspected and maintained. They have been installed in buildings for more than 100 years and about 30 million sprinkler heads are now installed each year. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there have been no instances of multiple fatalities in buildings protected with sprinklers. Omega Fire Sprinklers, which have been installed in residential dwellings since the early ’80s, are being recalled for safety reasons. Jurisdictions that mandate the use of sprinklers in homes have reported zero fire deaths when they are properly installed and maintained. Building and homeowners are encouraged to check if their property is equipped with Omega Fire Sprinklers and to take necessary steps to replace any recalled units.