Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported April 25, 2003
CPSC, American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) Announce Recall of Star ME-1 Dry Fire Sprinklers, Administrative Lawsuit Settlement
These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury.
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla. recalled Chemetron's Star ME-1 sprinklers have the following information molded onto the sprinkler… - a moderate-severity action.
CPSC, American Household Inc., (Formerly Sunbeam Corp.) Announce Recall of Star ME-1 Dry … was recalled by Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla. in April 25, 2003. Reason: These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the…. Remedy: AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announce…. Verify recall #03116 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the….
- Moderate
- severity level
- April 25, 2003
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #03116 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #03116) was formally reported on April 25, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as About 60,000.
The documented reason for this recall is: These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily agreed to recall Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 19… - consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 6 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Household Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category - 3,056 household products recalls on record
Of 101,704 recalls in the database, 24,878 are high severity, 72,426 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger, we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
About 60,000
Related Recalls
6
6 from same agency
Product description
Chemetron's Star ME-1 sprinklers have the following information molded onto the sprinkler: the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and the year of manufacture, starting with 1977 and ending with 1982. These sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings where the sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing. Examples of such areas include unheated attics, freezers and coolers, porches and parking garages. The types of facilities in which the sprinklers were installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets and other stores, warehouses, hospitals and office buildings.
Reason for recall
These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury.
Remedy, what to do
AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily agreed to recall Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976 and Central Sprinkler Company voluntarily agreed to replace Star ME-1 fire sprinklers manufactured from 1996 through 1998. The Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, which manufactured Star ME-1 sprinklers from 1983 through 1995, has no assets with which to fund a recall, but is issuing a safety notice warning building owners to replace these sprinklers.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 03116 |
| Date reported | April 25, 2003 |
| Date initiated | April 25, 2003 |
| Recalling firm | Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla. |
| Affected scope | About 60,000 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily a…
- Check the recall number (03116) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
Chemetron's Star ME-1 sprinklers have the following information molded onto the sprinkler: the name "Star," the designation "ME-1," and the year of manufacture, starting with 1977 and ending with 1982. These sprinklers were typically installed in areas of buildings where the sprinklers or water supply pipes may be subject to freezing. Examples of such areas include unheated attics, freezers and coolers, porches and parking garages. The types of facilities in which the sprinklers were installed include nursing homes, convalescent and long-term care facilities, supermarkets and other stores, warehouses, hospitals and office buildings.. Recalled by Chemetron Corporation, an inactive subsidiary of Ahi, of Boca Raton, Fla.. Units affected: About 60,000.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
These sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate in a fire, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of death or serious injury.
What should consumers do? ▼
AHI's sprinkler replacement reimbursement program has concluded. CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily agreed to recall Star ME-1 sprinklers manufactured from 1961 through 1976 and Central Sprinkler Company voluntarily agreed to replace Star ME-1 fire sprinklers manufactured from 1996 through 1998. The Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, which manufactured Star ME-1 sprinklers from 1983 through 1995, has no assets with which to fund a recall, but is issuing a safety notice warning building owners to replace these sprinklers.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 25, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 03116.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (03116) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
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Other recalls in the same product category, useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records, no number is typed in by an editor. This recall: CPSC, reported April 25, 2003. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of July 2026.