CPSC, American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) Announce Recall of Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers, Administrative Lawsuit Settlement
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall (2003-04-25). Hazards: fire. About 60,000 units in the US.
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
|---|---|
| Recall number | 03116 |
| Published | 2003-04-25 |
| Last updated | 2025-06-02 |
| Product category | Sprinklers (Fire) |
| Products | Star ME-1 dry fire sprinklers |
| Firm named in the title | American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) |
| Firms | Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of AHI, of Boca Raton, Fla. (manufacturer); American Household Inc. (AHI), formerly known as Sunbeam Corporation, of Boca Raton, Fla. (distributor); These sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings where the sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing. Examples of such areas include unheated attics, freezers and coolers, porches, and parking garages. The types of facilities in which the sprinklers were installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets and other stores, warehouses, hospitals, and office buildings. (retailer) |
| Manufactured in | United Stateso |
| Units (US) | 60,000 |
| Hazard classes | fire |
| Remedy classes | refund, replace |
Description
Chemetron's Star ME-1 sprinklers have the following information molded onto the sprinkler: the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and the year of manufacture, starting with 1977 and ending with 1982. These sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings where the sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing. Examples of such areas include unheated attics, freezers and coolers, porches and parking garages. The types of facilities in which the sprinklers were installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets and other stores, warehouses, hospitals and office buildings.
Hazard
These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury.
Remedy
AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily agreed to recall Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976 and Central Sprinkler Company voluntarily agreed to replace Star ME-1 fire sprinklers manufactured from 1996 through 1998. The Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, which manufactured Star ME-1 sprinklers from 1983 through 1995, has no assets with which to fund a recall, but is issuing a safety notice warning building owners to replace these sprinklers.
Incidents and injuries
Although there have been no reports that Star ME-1 dry sprinklers manufactured by Chemetron Corporation have failed to operate while in use, CPSC has received reports of two failures involving Star ME-1 dry sprinklers manufactured by other companies.
Machine access
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Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice (US Government work). Not affiliated with or endorsed by CPSC. Structured by Data Foundry (product-recall-structuring@2); last changed 2026-09-28. Always confirm with the agency notice.