| February 5, 2003 |
CPSC, Thomas & Betts Announce Recall of Emergency Exit Signs
PRODUCT: Emergency Exit Signs - Thomas & Betts Corporation of Memphis, TN, is voluntarily recalling about 31,000 emergency exit signs. The recalled exit signs were sold under the Lightalarms, Emergi-Lite, and Dynaray brand names and can be installed in either 120-volt or 277-volt applications. Only signs with a red LED and installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. These emergency exit signs could be installed in public buildings such as schools, offices and shopping centers to mark an exit in the event of a power failure and loss of lighting. They have a white or black plastic housing and are 13 1/2- inches long, 8 3/8-inches high and 2 7/8-inches deep. Recalled units have a raised bead around the edge of the front face and a rectangular rocker switch on the bottom. The product make, model, and date code is located on a label inside the enclosure. The recalled emergency exit signs were manufactured between January 1997 and June 1999 and sold nationwide by electrical wholesalers and distributors for between $75 and $80.PROBLEM: The emergency exit signs have an internal electrical component that could overheat and fail when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the enclosure, posing a fire hazard.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: There have been 19 reports of these emergency exit signs overheating and smoking or causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.
WHAT TO DO: Building managers with recalled emergency exit signs should contact Thomas & Betts toll-free at (800) 991-8010 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to request a free repair kit. The repair kit can also be requested online at www.lightalarms.com, www.emergi-lite.com, and www.dynaray.tnb-canada.com.
