The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
Division of Health Care Quality
10 West Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 753-8000

JANE SWIFT
GOVERNOR                                                              
ROBERT P. GITTENS
SECRETARY
HOWARD K. KOH,M.D.,MPH
COMMISSIONER	

CIRCULAR LETTER:   DHCQ  02-04-424

TO:	         Administrators, Licensed Rest Homes
	         Administrators, Licensed Clinics

FROM:         Paul Dreyer, Ph.D., Director

DATE:          April 1, 2002

SUBJECT:   Recalled Sprinkler Heads

The Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality (DPH) has recently learned that certain sprinkler heads may not function properly in a fire situation.  The manufacturer of these heads will provide free parts and labor to replace them. The manufacturers may or may not contact you about this voluntary replacement program.

In order to ensure that these defective heads will not continue in service indefinitely, the DPH is notifying healthcare providers of the recall program.

The recall and replacement program includes sprinkler heads manufactured by “Central Sprinkler Co.” with O-ring seals, and a limited number of O-ring models sold by “Gem Sprinkler Co” (Gem) and “Star Sprinkler, Inc.” (Star).  

Central will provide free of charge replacement sprinkler heads and the labor needed to replace sprinklers.  Central will arrange for the installation by using either its own field service crews or by contracting with professional sprinkler contractors.  However, this replacement program may not cover certain indirect and additional expenses.

Provider should immediately check their fire sprinklers to see if they are part of this voluntary replacement program.  Facilities may elect to do this themselves or have a licensed sprinkler contractor evaluate them.  There are 68 models of both wet & dry heads manufactured from the mid 1970’s through 2001.  For more information on how to identify sprinklers subject to this program and how to participate in this program:
•	Call the Central “Notice Packet Request Line” @ 1-800-871-3492 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or  
•	Go to Central’s web page:

 http://www.sprinklerreplacement.com

For additional assistance, you may also call Central’s toll-free Customer Service Hotline @ 1-866-505-8553, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

If you have recalled sprinkler heads you need to complete the " Proof of Claim Form" available from Central Sprinkler Co.

If you have any questions regarding this recall please do not hesitate to contact Stanley Grass, Life Safety Code Program Manager at (617) 753-8218.