TL;DR: Federal safety officials asked Maine fire officials to help find about 35 million recalled Central Sprinkler O-ring heads from 2001 that may still be installed and can fail to activate in a fire.

Maine asked to help find recalled heads

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission sent a Sept. 25 letter to Maine State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler asking Maine fire officials to help identify recalled sprinkler heads that may still be installed in homes, businesses and other buildings, according to WMTW.

WMTW reported the update at 5:52 PM EDT on Oct. 2, 2026, by Niall Patrick, from Augusta, Maine. The report said the request comes more than two decades after the original recall.

The agency said approximately 35 million Central Sprinkler heads equipped with O-ring seals were recalled in 2001, according to WMTW. The agency said millions of the recalled heads are believed to remain installed nationwide.

The agency described a continuing risk of serious injury or death if the heads fail to operate during a fire, according to WMTW. The state fire marshal had been contacted for comment, according to WMTW.

Who Maine officials are asked to notify

The CPSC is asking Maine officials to alert fire departments, inspectors, building owners and facility managers about the recall, according to WMTW. The agency also encouraged property owners to determine whether the recalled heads remain in use.

Building owners, property managers, facility administrators and homeowners should not wait for the next scheduled fire sprinkler inspection to address the recall, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. The department published its fire safety alert on Sept. 26, 2026.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Tyco Fire Products LP renewed a warning urging immediate action to identify and replace recalled heads that may still be installed in buildings nationwide, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. The warning involves certain sprinkler heads manufactured with rubber O-ring seals.

The CPSC and Tyco Fire Products are urging building owners and operators to immediately check for previously recalled Central Sprinkler heads that may still be installed in residential facilities and other buildings, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. That report was posted Oct. 1, 2026, by Mark Schulz.

CPSC specifically identified nursing homes and other residential facilities among the buildings where recalled sprinklers may remain installed, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. The affected sprinklers were manufactured from the mid-1970s through June 2001 and were originally recalled in July 2001, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

Fall River fire prompted renewed warning

The renewed warning comes after a July 2025 fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, that killed 10 residents and injured dozens, according to WMTW.

According to the CPSC letter described by WMTW, recalled Central Sprinkler heads were later identified at that facility. The agency said one sprinkler in the room where the fire started failed to activate despite having previously been flagged as subject to the recall.

CPSC cited a July 13, 2025, fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, where ten residents died and dozens of others were injured, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. According to that agency, dozens of recalled sprinkler heads remained installed at the facility despite being identified during an earlier inspection.

The renewed warning follows the July 13, 2025, fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, that killed 10 residents and injured dozens of others, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. According to CPSC as described by LeadingAge Minnesota, dozens of recalled heads had not been replaced at the facility despite having previously been identified during a fire-safety inspection.

The recall was modified in 2003 and the replacement program ended in 2007 after millions of sprinkler heads were replaced, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. CPSC believes a significant number may remain in service, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

Which sprinklers were recalled

The original recall, announced on July 19, 2001, involved approximately 35 million Central sprinklers and about 167,000 additional sprinklers sold under the Gem and Star names, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. The recall included certain wet and dry sprinklers installed in residential, commercial, institutional and healthcare occupancies.

The original recall involved approximately 35 million Central sprinkler heads, along with approximately 167,000 O-ring sprinkler heads manufactured or sold by Gem Sprinkler Company and Star Sprinkler, Inc., according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

Central wet sprinklers with O-ring seals manufactured in 1989-2000 were identified in the original recall, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Central dry sprinklers with O-ring seals manufactured from the mid-1970s through June 2001 were also identified.

Gem wet sprinkler model F927 sold under the Gem name in 1995-2001 was included, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Star dry sprinkler models listed in the recall and manufactured in 1996-1998 were also included.

The recall generally covered Central wet sprinklers manufactured from 1989 through 2000, Central dry sprinklers manufactured from the mid-1970s through June 2001, certain Gem wet sprinklers sold from 1995 through 2001, and certain Star dry sprinklers manufactured from 1996 through 1998, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

The recalled sprinkler heads contain rubber O-ring seals that can deteriorate because of minerals, salts and other contaminants in water, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. As a result, an affected sprinkler may fail to activate during a fire.

Over time, corrosion and exposure to minerals, salts and other contaminants in water can affect the sprinkler's ability to operate properly, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. In some cases, an affected head may fail to activate during a fire, reducing or eliminating the protection occupants expect from the system.

The concern is especially important for older buildings, multi-family housing, schools, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, assisted living centers, offices and other properties where vulnerable occupants may depend on automatic sprinkler protection, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

How markings and models are checked

Potential identification markings may include CENTRAL, STAR, CSC, a G inside a triangle, or a star-shaped symbol, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

Potentially affected heads may be marked with CENTRAL or STAR, the letters CSC, the letter G inside a triangle, or a star-shaped symbol, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

Model information and manufacturing dates may appear on the sprinkler frame or deflector, which is the metal piece designed to distribute water when the sprinkler activates, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

These markings may appear on the metal sprinkler frame or on the deflector, which is the flower- or gear-shaped metal piece at the end of the sprinkler head, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. The model designation and manufacturing date may also be stamped on the frame or deflector.

A brand marking alone does not confirm whether a sprinkler is part of the recall, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Property owners should have a qualified fire protection professional compare the exact sprinkler model with the official recall information.

The recall covers both wet sprinklers, which are installed in piping filled with water, and dry sprinklers, which are commonly used in areas exposed to freezing temperatures where the exposed piping does not contain water, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

What owners should do now

Arrange an immediate inspection by a qualified fire protection professional to determine whether recalled heads are installed, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. If recalled heads are present, they may fail to operate during a fire.

Have the system checked by a qualified fire protection professional as soon as possible and replace any recalled heads without delay, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Replacement should be performed by a qualified professional using appropriate listed equipment.

Review previous records, including inspection reports, maintenance files and replacement documentation, for earlier findings and any completed corrective work, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Inspect fire sprinkler systems and review historical inspection and maintenance records to determine whether recalled sprinklers were previously identified and whether replacement was completed, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

Ask a fire sprinkler contractor or another qualified fire-protection professional to confirm whether affected heads remain installed, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. Do not assume the age of the recall means the issue was previously addressed at a facility.

Include older buildings and acquired properties in the review, particularly when current staff may not have records showing whether the original recall was addressed, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. Notify responsible parties and share the information with property managers, homeowners associations, facility administrators, building owners and organizations responsible for older buildings or vulnerable occupants, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

Building owners should request written documentation of all findings and any replacement work, then keep those records with the building's fire protection system files, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Document the review and its outcome, including when no recalled sprinklers are identified, so the facility has a record that the issue was evaluated, according to LeadingAge Minnesota.

What residents and managers should not do

Do not shut off, remove, paint, or attempt to test sprinkler heads yourself, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Inspection and replacement work should be handled by a qualified sprinkler contractor and coordinated with building management and the appropriate fire officials when required.

Residents and property owners should not shut off a sprinkler system or attempt to remove sprinkler heads themselves, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Any work that temporarily places a fire protection system out of service should be coordinated by the sprinkler contractor and building management.

Tenants, residents and family members of residents in care facilities may forward the notice to management and ask whether the building's sprinklers have been checked against the recall, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

The original replacement program ended on Aug. 31, 2007, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Older recall announcements may reference free parts and labor, but those descriptions should not be treated as a current offer.

The original free replacement program ended on Aug. 31, 2007, so providers should work with a qualified fire-protection professional regarding replacement, according to LeadingAge Minnesota. Owners should review Tyco's current guidance and discuss replacement arrangements and costs with their sprinkler contractor, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service.

Why routine checks still matter

Routine inspection, testing and maintenance remain essential for all fire sprinkler systems, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, provides requirements for maintaining these systems.

Testing and replacement schedules can vary based on the sprinkler design, age and environment, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Property owners should work with their sprinkler contractor and local fire code official to confirm the requirements for their building.

A future routine inspection or testing date should not be used to delay action on recalled heads, according to the St. Mary's County Volunteer Fire Service. Property owners should have recalled heads checked without waiting for the next scheduled inspection.

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