In June 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation of Standish, MI announced a nationwide recall of up to 300,000 Model J Series dry fire sprinklers installed in nursing homes, hospitals, convalescent and long-term care facilities, apartment buildings, supermarkets, and office buildings. Globe received five reports that these sprinklers failed to operate properly in a fire, so they must be replaced immediately.
Many Model J sprinklers are already subject to NFPA 25, which requires that dry sprinklers over 10 years old be tested or replaced. Dry sprinklers do not have water in the leg of pipe directly above the sprinkler head, so they are frequently used in areas where the sprinklers or water supply pipes are subject to freezing.
Full details about the recall program and photos of the recalled heads can be found at www.globesprinkler.com and clicking on the “Voluntary Product Recall Link” on the top left hand side; or call 1-800-248-0278 between 8a.m. and 5p.m. EST, Monday – Friday. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission will be monitoring implementation of this recall program.
SPRINKLER IDENTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Finding Dry Sprinklers
Pendent sprinklers hang with the deflector facing the floor. They are often installed with optional escutcheon plates to cover clearance holes in ceilings and sometimes are “concealed” behind the removable cover plates. Upright sprinklers rise vertically from the water piping and are typically found in areas where the water piping is exposed, such as garages and warehouses. In addition to upright, pendent, and vertical sprinklers, horizontal sidewall sprinklers are located along a side-wall or side of a beam. Similar to pendent sprinklers, horizontal sidewall sprinklers are often installed with optional escutcheon plates to cover clearance holes in the wall.
Precautionary Steps in Identifying Sprinklers
Prior to attempting to view installed sprinklers, consult sprinkler system drawings, records of installation and/or maintenance, and/or look at spare heads located in the spare head box to attempt to identify the sprinkler model(s) installed in your sprinkler system.
If you are unable to determine what type of sprinklers you have in this manner, try to get close enough to the sprinklers to visually inspect them. DO NOT attempt to visually inspect your sprinklers if doing so places you in a precarious position.
Caution should be used at all times when attempting to identify and view sprinklers. The glass bulb or heat sensitive element can be easily damaged, causing the sprinkler to activate. If you are required to remove a cover plate for a concealed sprinkler, use caution not to disturb the sprinkler or damage the operating element which may cause activation of the sprinkler. Do not apply sources of heat, and do not strike, disturb, or apply pressure to the glass bulb or activation element of the sprinkler.
DO NOT REMOVE YOUR SPRINKLERS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THEM. Sprinkler systems contain water under pressure or compressed air/gas that can cause severe damage or personal injury if sprinklers are removed while under pressure. If a sprinkler is to be removed or installed after the system has been properly shut down and drained, only the approved sprinkler wrench for the model sprinkler being removed or installed should be used to prevent damage to the sprinkler(s). Sprinkler systems should be regularly inspected and maintained by a professional fire protection representative installer in accordance with NFPA 25, “Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.”
ll dry sprinkler heads in a sprinkler system should be tested and replaced, if necessary, no later than ten years after installation.
If you have difficulty identifying whether the sprinklers are recalled please contact Risk Logic for assistance.