Vincent Powers, I.T.M. Specialist

Fire sprinklers remain one of the most reliable life-safety features available, successfully controlling or extinguishing fires in the vast majority of incidents. Like any mechanical device, however, sprinklers can occasionally be affected by manufacturing or performance issues. When that happens, recalls and voluntary replacement programs help ensure these systems continue to provide the level of protection they were designed to deliver.

Most recalls involve specific sprinkler models, components, or manufacturing dates, not an entire manufacturer’s product line. Issues can include delayed activation, defective materials, long-term reliability concerns, or older sealing mechanisms such as dynamic O-ring designs. One of the most significant industry changes occurred on January 9, 2003, when UL stopped listing sprinklers containing O-rings used in dynamic-seal applications because of concerns regarding long-term reliability.

Although several dynamic O-ring sprinkler models were formally recalled or included in voluntary replacement programs, not every sprinkler manufactured with a dynamic O-ring design was subject to recall. However, these non-recalled dynamic O-ring sprinklers use the same sealing technology that led to the industry’s design change and may still be encountered in existing fire sprinkler systems. Although they are not covered by a formal recall, they represent a legacy design that is no longer permitted in new production, and building owners should discuss their condition and replacement strategy with a qualified fire sprinkler contractor.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains information concerning sprinkler recalls and voluntary replacement programs at www.cpsc.gov.

The importance of identifying recalled sprinklers was highlighted by the July 13, 2025, fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts. The fire claimed the lives of ten residents, making it the deadliest fire in Massachusetts in more than four decades. Following the fire, recalled sprinklers were identified within the building’s sprinkler system. The discovery drew renewed attention to the difficulty of identifying recalled sprinklers that may remain installed decades after a recall or voluntary replacement program was announced. NFPA 25 requires replacement of sprinklers that are recalled, part of voluntary replacement programs, damaged, corroded, painted, loaded with foreign material, or that have failed field service testing. During routine inspections, the presence of recalled sprinklers, voluntary replacement models, or legacy dynamic O-ring sprinklers, including those not included in a formal recall should be brought to the building owner’s attention so they can make informed decisions regarding system reliability and future replacement.

Although NFPA 25 requires recalled sprinklers to be replaced, identifying them during an inspection can be difficult. Hundreds of sprinkler models remain in service, and model information may not be readable or verifiable from floor level. Consequently, determining whether an installed sprinkler is subject to a recall or voluntary replacement program may require research beyond the ordinary visual inspection.

To address this problem, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, working with the Fall River Fire Department, submitted Tentative Interim Amendments and Public Inputs for NFPA 25. The proposals build upon the sprinkler-inventory requirements of Section 5.4.1.6.6, which require an inventory of installed sprinkler types to be maintained with the spare sprinkler cabinet, including sprinklers that are no longer manufactured.

Non-recalled

Recalled

One recalled sprinkler, one non recalled dynamic O-ring sprinkler.

The proposed annex material would identify recalled sprinklers, sprinklers included in voluntary replacement programs, and non-recalled sprinklers employing legacy dynamic O-ring sealing technology. Inspectors could compare the required sprinkler inventory against these lists. This would provide a consistent means of identifying potential concerns without requiring every sprinkler to be individually examined from floor level.

This documentation-based approach would allow building owners to be notified when recalled or legacy dynamic O-ring sprinklers are identified in the system inventory while improving consistency and awareness throughout the industry.

The purpose of NFPA 25 is to establish the minimum inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements necessary to provide a reasonable degree of protection for life and property through reliable water-based fire protection systems. For more than 30 years, the fire protection industry has recognized reliability concerns associated with dynamic O-ring sprinklers, yet millions of these products remain in service today.

The proposed changes will provide inspectors with appropriate tools to identify these sprinklers using documentation already required by the standard. It is time for NFPA 25 to provide a practical, consistent method for recognizing these sprinklers and notifying building owners. After three decades, the industry has an opportunity and a responsibility to take meaningful action to further improve life safety.