Building owners with these sprinklers will be offered Replacement Sprinkler Heads at no cost. Central will also provide at no cost the labor needed to replace the sprinkler heads.
Central will replace the O-ring sprinkler heads with heads that contain Belleville seals. Belleville seals use a metallic spring seal rather than a rubber O-ring to maintain a watertight seal. Note: The O-ring sprinkler heads being replaced are not the GB Belleville heads currently being used to replace Centrals Omega brand fire sprinklers pursuant to the 1998 CPSC recall and nationwide class-action settlement. GB Belleville sprinkler heads do not have an O-ring seal.
Central will arrange for the installation by using either its own Central Field Services crews or by contracting with designated sprinkler installers for replacement.
Due to the number of heads that need to be replaced, CPSC and Central anticipate that this program will take place over a period of years, depending on the level of participation and the availability of installation personnel. In general, sprinkler heads will be replaced with priority based on the age of the sprinklers, the population affected (e.g., hospitals and nursing homes submitting claims will be given priority), and whether the sprinklers show signs of corrosion or leaking.