The Fall River Fire Department is warning property owners to take a look at their sprinkler systems after four buildings were found to have recalled sprinklers that may not activate during a fire. The work comes just months after a deadly fire at an assisted living facility in the community.
“The Gabriel House fire changed the way that all of us do our job in every aspect of the job. I would be lying if I said we don’t look at things differently because of that,” said Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, adding later, “[The sprinkler recall issue] is something we are just discovering in the state of Massachusetts, but they could be everywhere really.”
Recalled sprinkler systems
Recently, a property owner came to the fire department believing he may have one of these recalled sprinkler systems from Central Sprinkler Company. The sprinklers were recalled in 2001.
“Inside the sprinkler head there is an O-ring that will malfunction and not allow the sprinkler head to activate,” said Mark Furtado, Fire Inspector for the Fall River Fire Department…