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CPSC recall · Reported October 30, 2003

CPSC, Fire Control Instruments Announce Recall for Audio Evacuation Units

The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible evacuation signals associated with the failed AEU will not operate and b…

Recall #
04507
Affected scope
276
Compiled from official public sources by the editorial team.
Verify with CPSC →
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Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass. recalled All FCI AEUs (part number 1100-1171) manufactured prior to April 12, 2003. These AEUs are… - a moderate-severity action.

CPSC, Fire Control Instruments Announce Recall for Audio Evacuation Units was recalled by Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass. in October 30, 2003. Reason: The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible ev…. Remedy: FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge.. Verify recall #04507 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass. issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall-The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible ev….

Moderate
severity level
276 units
affected scope
October 30, 2003
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04507 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This CPSC action (record #04507) was formally reported on October 30, 2003. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass. is listed as the recalling firm. Federal records list the affected scope as 276.

The documented reason for this recall is: The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible evacuation signals associated with the failed AEU will not operate and building occupants may not be warned of a… 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: FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge. - 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

50100150200250 20052008201120142017202020232026 115
Severity2487872426High severity (most serious)Moderate severityLow severity
Where this recall sits in the database

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.

Severity

Moderate

Affected scope

276

Related Recalls

6

6 from same agency

Product description

All FCI AEUs (part number 1100-1171) manufactured prior to April 12, 2003. These AEUs are used in FireVac 7200 System Control Units. A label in the left center of the circuit board reads "FCI 7200" and "AEU." All V5 versions below V5.2-008 and V6 versions below V6.0.14 are included in the recall.

Reason for recall

The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible evacuation signals associated with the failed AEU will not operate and building occupants may not be warned of an emergency.

Remedy, what to do

FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute Value
Agency U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class Moderate
Status Active
Recall number 04507
Date reported October 30, 2003
Date initiated October 30, 2003
Recalling firm Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass.
Affected scope 276
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.

Scale of Impact

276 units affected - limited or regional distribution scale.

Regional (<10K units) ✓ This recall
Multi-state (10K – 100K units) -
Large-scale (100K – 1M units) -
Massive (≥1M units) -

Bracket cutoffs follow federal recall-disclosure conventions; bar widths scale linearly within each bracket. Source: PlainRecalls analysis of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission filings.

What to do with this recall

FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge.

  • Check the recall number (04507) 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?
All FCI AEUs (part number 1100-1171) manufactured prior to April 12, 2003. These AEUs are used in FireVac 7200 System Control Units. A label in the left center of the circuit board reads "FCI 7200" and "AEU." All V5 versions below V5.2-008 and V6 versions below V6.0.14 are included in the recall.. Recalled by Fire Control Instruments, of Westwood, Mass.. Units affected: 276.
Why was this product recalled?
The AEU can enter a "sleep" mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible evacuation signals associated with the failed AEU will not operate and building occupants may not be warned of an emergency.
What should consumers do?
FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge.
Which agency issued this recall?
This recall was issued by the CPSC on October 30, 2003. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04507.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall?
Check the product description and recall number (04507) 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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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 October 30, 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.