Alert Summary

FM Approvals has been made aware of automatic fire sprinklers found in India bearing a counterfeit FM Approvals mark. FM Approvals has neither tested nor certified this product.

Product Identity

The sprinkler bears the markings “TYCO” and “UL” on the wrench boss but the identity of the manufacturer is unknown. The product is similar in appearance to the Tyco Fire Products TY3251 sprinkler.

Description

½” NPT frangible bulb type automatic sprinkler.

Geographic Area

Mumbai, India.

Hazard Involved

There is no evidence these products have ever been tested to the requirements of any testing and certification organization, including FM Approvals. As such, these automatic sprinklers cannot be relied upon to react to or control a fire. Failure by any of the following mechanisms is possible: failure of the thermal element, orifice leakage, premature or delayed operation, bulb strutting (incomplete fracture), ejection of the deflector, inadequate or excessive discharge rate, corrosive attack, failure to operate, failure to produce an adequate discharge pattern, etc. Of further note is the suspected use of an o-ring type orifice seal, a design which has historically been proven to be unreliable and possibly dangerous. Some o-ring type sprinklers have been subject to mandatory recall per the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.