| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Originally issued April 8, 1999 Revised March 21, 2002 Release # 99-092 |
Company Phone Number: (276) 642-7186 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-7076 |
Note: New firm responsible for heat detector replacement.
CPSC, Interstate Engineering Announce Recall of Heat Detectors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Interstate Engineering, of Dallas, Texas, voluntarily recalled about 40,000 heat detectors. These heat detectors can fail to alarm or alarm for a shorter period of time than intended when fire is present.Interstate Engineering and CPSC are aware of one incident when a heat detector failed to operate properly during a retail demonstration. Subsequent testing by Interstate Engineering produced approximately 38 additional failures. CPSC is not aware of any failures during use by consumers, and no injuries have been reported.
The heat detectors are round, have an off-white aluminum cover, are roughly 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches high, and have a round, brass-colored metal disk at the center of the cover. They are mechanical, and do not use batteries or electricity. The heat detectors were sold under the following private label brand names and models, which were printed on labels on the back of the detectors:
- MasterGuard model MG-50/70;
- Responsive model TRI70;
- Rescue II model R-50FT
These heat detectors were sold nationwide primarily through in-home demonstrations and sales parties from May 1998 through December 1998 for about $225 or higher. Prices were determined by Interstate Engineering's private label resellers.
Consumers should stop using these heat detectors immediately and call Tri Star Enterprises at (276) 642-7186 for a free replacement.
Heat detectors are intended to supplement smoke detectors to warn of fire, but CPSC reminds consumers they should not rely on heat detectors as substitutes for smoke detectors.
