On September 24, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Tyco Fire Products renewed a public warning about recalled fire sprinkler heads that may still be installed in homes, residential facilities, and commercial buildings across the country. The heads in question were recalled in 2001, and the free replacement program closed in 2007. The agencies say a significant number may still be in service.
The warning followed a July 13, 2025 fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, that killed ten residents. According to CPSC, the facility had not replaced dozens of recalled fire sprinkler heads even though a prior fire-safety inspection had identified them.
For Miami-Dade condo boards, property managers, and healthcare administrators, the lesson is practical. Many South Florida towers and commercial buildings were built or renovated in the 1980s and 1990s, the same years most recalled models were made. This guide explains what was recalled, how to spot it, and what to do if your building has it.
TL;DR
The best-known recalled fire sprinkler heads include about 35 million Central O-ring heads (2001) and about 8.4 million Omega heads (1998), plus Star and Globe dry models.
Every free replacement program has ended, so the owner now pays for replacement.
Markings on the head and the spare head cabinet are the fastest way to check.
NFPA 25 proposals filed in 2026 would add an annual recall check, but they are not adopted yet.
Ask your inspection contractor to document recall status in writing.
Which recalled fire sprinkler heads should South Florida owners know about?
Central O-ring heads (2001). CPSC and Central Sprinkler Company, a Tyco affiliate, announced a voluntary replacement program covering 35 million Central fire sprinkler heads with rubber O-ring seals, plus about 167,000 O-ring heads sold under the Gem and Star names. CPSC said corrosion and minerals, salts, and other contaminants in water can affect the O-ring seals and keep the heads from activating in a fire. The wet models, including the GB series, were made from 1989 to 2000. The program ended August 31, 2007.
Omega heads (1998). CPSC announced the recall of about 8.4 million Omega fire sprinkler heads made since 1982. CPSC alleged that, on average, 30 to 40 percent of Omegas removed for testing failed to activate as they should. It received reports of Omegas not working in 17 fires across 11 states, and Florida was one of them.
Star dry heads (1999 and 2003). Mealane Corporation recalled up to 1 million Star dry heads made from 1961 through 1976, and CPSC reported that 67 percent of those tested failed to activate as they should. In 2003, CPSC announced a recall of Star ME-1 dry heads made from 1977 through 1982 and a separate warning on about 400,000 Star ME-1 heads made from 1983 through 1995. That manufacturer had no assets, so no free replacement was ever offered.
Globe Model J dry heads (2007). Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. recalled about 300,000 Model J dry heads marked with a year from 1990 through 1999, because they can deteriorate and fail to operate in a fire.
Not every notice is a recall. UL publishes a list of O-ring sealed fire sprinkler models from several manufacturers that were not part of a CPSC recall. A 2020 class action settlement also offered replacement of certain Viking VK457 heads sold from 2013 to 2015 that plaintiffs alleged could activate without a fire; Viking denied any defect. A careful report labels each of these accurately.
Why recalled heads can still be in Miami-Dade buildings in 2026
When the Central program closed in 2007, a Tyco spokeswoman told Security Systems News that "slightly more than 60 percent" of the affected heads had been "located and replaced or in line for replacement." That leaves millions never accounted for nationwide.
The problem is hard to see. In public inputs filed in 2026 for the next edition of NFPA 25, the National Fire Sprinkler Association wrote that the O-ring defects "are internal and are not detectable through visual inspection from floor level," and that NFPA 25 currently has no explicit requirement to verify recall status. The same filing cites UL field testing showing normal operation in roughly 63 to 71 percent of wet O-ring heads tested.
Records add to the gap. Ownership, management companies, and contractors change over 30 years. An old deficiency note about recalled heads can get lost, which is exactly why CPSC now urges owners to review historical maintenance records.
Reference: https://docinfofiles.nfpa.org/files/AboutTheCodes/25/25_A2028_INM_AAA_FD_PISubmittals.pdf
How to identify recalled fire sprinkler heads on site
CPSC gives clear markings for the Central program. Recalled heads have "CENTRAL" or "STAR," the letters "CSC," a "G" inside a triangle, or a star-shaped symbol stamped on the frame or the deflector, which is the gear-shaped piece at the end of the head. The model and date may be stamped there too.
Omega heads look different. On most models, CPSC says you can see three flat, round metal disks stacked one above the other in the center of the head.
Star and Globe dry heads carry their year. Star ME-1 heads have "Star," "ME-1," and the year molded on. Globe Model J heads have "Globe," the letter "J," and the year embossed on the frame. Dry heads are often found in freezers, coolers, parking garages, and similar areas.
Start with the spare head cabinet. NFPA 25 requires a list of the sprinklers installed in the system, kept with the spare heads. The spares usually match what was installed, so a recalled model in the cabinet is a strong clue.
Do not unscrew, test, or shut down your system to check. CPSC warns against it, and only a licensed contractor should handle that work.
Reference: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/1999/CPSC-Central-Sprinkler-Recall-Omega-Fire-Sprinklers-Settle-Lawsuit
What NFPA 25 and Florida rules say today
Florida law under Section 633.312 requires fire protection systems in most buildings other than one- and two-family homes to be inspected under the edition of NFPA 25 adopted by the State Fire Marshal, by a licensed contractor or permitted inspectors. Your inspection is where recall status should be checked and documented.
National rules are moving. Proposed Tentative Interim Amendment 1944 to NFPA 25 would require an annual check of the spare sprinkler list for recalled models, require replacement, and treat systems containing recalled heads as impaired. Public comments close November 20, 2026. Massachusetts has voted to add annual recall checks to its next fire code. Neither applies in Florida today, so follow your local authority having jurisdiction.
Working systems matter. NFPA's U.S. Experience with Sprinklers report covering 2020 to 2024 found sprinklers operated in 90 percent of fires large enough to activate them and were effective 97 percent of the time when they operated. A recalled head may not deliver that result.
Reference: https://docinfofiles.nfpa.org/files/AboutTheCodes/25/NFPA_25_Proposed_TIA_1944.pdf
How property managers can stay ahead of recalled heads
First, ask for a recall check in writing. At your next fire sprinkler inspection, ask the contractor to compare installed and spare heads against the CPSC recall lists and note the result by area. Our guide to what a commercial inspection includes explains the rest of the visit.
Second, pull your records. Look for old reports, deficiency notes, and permits that mention recalled models. If a prior report flagged recalled heads, confirm in writing that they were replaced.
Third, replace in planned phases. If recalled heads turn up, a licensed contractor can schedule replacement work floor by floor to limit disruption for residents, tenants, or patients.
Fourth, tell the right people. Brief your board, insurer, and residents as your policy and local rules require, and keep the replacement records with your inspection file.
Know what is installed in your building before a fire does
The Fall River fire shows that a known problem can stay unresolved when no one owns the follow-up. South Florida owners can close that gap with a documented head inventory, a clear recall finding for each area, and a replacement plan with dates.
Speedy Fire Protection is a Florida licensed fire sprinkler contractor serving Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach since 2005, with NICET Level III inspection expertise on staff. For compliance and risk questions, Partner Raul J. Muniz, Esq. brings a Florida attorney's view to fire code compliance. To schedule a recall-focused review of your building, contact Speedy Fire Protection.
Frequently asked questions
Are recalled fire sprinkler heads still installed in buildings today?
Yes. CPSC and Tyco warned in 2026 that a significant number of recalled Central heads may remain in service, and Tyco said about 60 percent had been located and replaced or scheduled when the program closed in 2007.
How can I tell if my building has recalled fire sprinkler heads?
Check the spare head cabinet and the markings on installed heads: "CENTRAL," "STAR," "CSC," a "G" in a triangle, Omega's stacked disks, or "Globe" with a "J." A licensed inspector should confirm the model.
Is there still a free replacement program?
No. The Central, Omega, Star, and Globe programs have ended, and CPSC says no free remedy ever existed for Star ME-1 heads made from 1983 through 1995. The building owner pays for replacement today.
Does NFPA 25 require a recall check during inspections?
Not explicitly yet. Proposals filed in 2026 would add an annual recall check of the spare sprinkler list. Until adopted, ask your contractor to include recall status on the report.
Can I remove a fire sprinkler head myself to check it?
No. CPSC advises against unscrewing heads or shutting down the system. Removing a head can impair protection, so leave the work to a licensed fire sprinkler contractor.
This article is for informational purposes only.