WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Tyco Fire Products LP (Tyco Fire) are alerting the public again about serious, potentially fatal fire-safety hazards posed by the failure to replace previously recalled Central Sprinkler fire sprinkler heads that may still be installed in homes, residential facilities, and commercial buildings across the United States.

The affected sprinklers, manufactured from the mid-1970s to June 2001, were originally recalled in July 2001. The recall was subsequently modified in May 2003 and closed on August 31, 2007, after millions of sprinkler heads were replaced. Minerals, salts, and other contaminants in water can degrade the rubber O-ring seals, which can cause the sprinkler heads to fail to activate during a fire. Despite a multi–year remediation effort, and National Fire Protection Association standards requiring annual, 5-year, and 20-year inspections, testing, and maintenance of fire suppression systems, a significant number of unremediated recalled sprinklers may remain in service, potentially posing hazards to consumers. 

On July 13, 2025, a fire occurred at an assisted living facility in Fall River, MA. The fire claimed the lives of ten residents and injured dozens more. The facility had not replaced dozens of recalled sprinkler heads, despite identification during a prior fire-safety inspection. The fire underscores the need to remind facilities of the dangers posed by unremediated sprinklers and encourage remediation wherever recalled units are still in use. 

CPSC and Tyco Fire are strongly urging all consumers, businesses, property managers, and governmental entities to take the following steps:

• Inspect all building fire sprinklers immediately to determine whether any units are subject to the recall.
• Replace all recalled sprinklers using a qualified fire-protection professional.
• Review historical maintenance records to confirm whether recalled units were previously identified and removed.
• Alert building managers, HOAs, facility administrators, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and any organization responsible for older structures or vulnerable populations.

This campaign represents an ongoing commitment by CPSC and Tyco Fire to ensuring fire safety and protecting the public from hazardous recalled products.

For further information, please visit www.tyco-fire.com/Central-Sprinkler-O-Ring-Notice.

About CPSC
CPSC is the federal agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the agency was established more than 50 years ago, CPSC has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, contributing to a decline in related injuries.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission-ordered recall or to a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with CPSC.

For lifesaving information:
– Visit CPSC.gov.
– Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
– Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, BlueSky, Threads, LinkedIn and Truth Social.
– Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
– Call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 (TTY 800-638-8270).
– Contact a media specialist. 

Release Number: 26-800

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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission