Information Notice No. 99-28: Recall of Star Brand Fire Protection Sprinkler Heads

UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY AND SAFEGUARDS
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555-0001

September 30, 1999

NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 99-28:	RECALL OF STAR BRAND FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER HEADS

• Addressees
• Purpose
• Description of Circumstances
• Related Generic Communication

Addressees

All holders of licenses for nuclear power, research and test reactors, and fuel cycle facilities.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice to alert addressees to a recall of the Star brand, dry-type, fire protection sprinkler heads manufactured by the Mealane Corporation of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is expected that recipients will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid problems. However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific actions or written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

On August 4, 1999, the Consumers Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with the Mealane Corporation announced a voluntary recall of approximately 1 million Star brand, dry-type, fire protection sprinkler heads, models D-1, RD-1, RE-1, E-1, and ME-1, manufactured between 1961 and 1976. The sprinkler heads may be identified by the word "Star" on one side and the model number on the other side of the lower portion of the sprinkler head's frame. The date of manufacture (two-digit year) can be found on the deflector.

The CPSC reports that 67 percent of the heads recently tested at independent laboratories failed to activate as they should. The CPSC has also stated that it has received one report alleging a Star sprinkler head did not activate during an actual fire.

The Mealane Corporation will replace the sprinkler heads free and will reimburse purchasers for the labor costs of removing and replacing the affected sprinklers. Mealane has established a Star Sprinkler recall hotline at (800) 866-7807, and a Web site at www.star-recall.com to inform about the recall.

Related Generic Communication

• IN 97-72, "Potential for Failure of the Omega Series Sprinkler Heads," September 22, 1997

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) or Office of Nuclear Material and Safeguards (NMSS) project manager.

/s/'d by C.W. Emeigh           For Theodore S. Sherr, Branch Chief Licensing and International Safeguards Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards

/s/'d by Ledyard B. Marsh, Chief Events Assessment, Generic Communications    and Non-Power Reactors Branch Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts:

Mark H. Salley, NRR 301-415-2840 E-mail: mxs3@nrc.gov

P. W. Lain, NMSS 301-415-6317 E-mail: pwl@nrc.gov

Attachments:

1.  List of Recently Issued NRR Information Notices 2.  List of Recently Issued NMSS Information Notices

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(NUDOCS Accession Number 9910010205)