AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2007 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters

July 17, 2007

ADSA: NH #2007-014
Deadline to file SPRINKLER claims; amendment to state fire code

Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:

In 2001, Central Sprinkler Company, an affiliate of Tyco Fire Products LP, of Landsdale, PA, announced a voluntary replacement program (VRP) for certain “wet” and “dry” O-Ring fire sprinklers. These sprinklers are manufactured by Central Sprinkler Company, Gem Sprinkler Company and Star Sprinkler Inc. Recently, Tyco and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced August 31, 2007 as the deadline to submit claims to participate in the VRP for these products.

This letter serves as notice to long-term care providers who have sprinklers that are part of the VRP, and who have not yet submitted a VRP claim. The VRP program requires you to submit "Proof of Claim" and "Waiver and Release of Claims" forms to Central Sprinkler Company with a postmark by August 31, 2007 to receive free replacement sprinklers and installation.

You may find information about filing a VRP claim at the Washington State Fire Marshal website: http://www.wa.gov/wsp/fire/assess.htm. You may submit a claim on-line using the following website: http://www.sprinklerreplacement.com/

In addition, effective July 1, 2007 the Washington State Fire Code will include Section 901.9 of the 2006 International Fire Code which reads:

Any fire protection system component regulated by this code that is the subject of a voluntary or mandatory recall under federal law shall be replaced with approved, listed components in compliance with the referenced standards of this code. The fire code official shall be notified in writing by the building owner when the recalled component parts have been replaced.

If your facility has sprinklers covered under the VRP program, you will be required to replace them at your own cost if you have not submitted a VRP claim before September 1, 2007.

You may contact the State Fire Marshal to request assistance with determining if a particular sprinkler model is part of the VRP program, or with any questions related to the State Fire Code.

Chief Deputy Stephen Myers, Fire Sprinkler Licensing
Telephone: (306) 570-3138
Email: stephen.myers@wsp.wa.gov

Please do not contact RCS about the recall as we do not have jurisdiction in this matter. Thank you for your continued commitment to the long-term care residents of our state.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services
cc: Chief Deputy Stephen Myers