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Emergency Exit Signs

CPSC Recall #03-520 — February 4, 2003

Recall Summary

Recall Number03-520
Recall DateFebruary 4, 2003
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 31,000

Where It Was Sold

The recalled emergency exit signs were manufactured between January 1997 and June 1999 and sold nationwide by electrical wholesalers and distributors for between $75 and $80.

Product

Emergency Exit Signs

Description

PRODUCT: Emergency Exit Signs - Thomas & Betts Corporation of Memphis, TN, is voluntarily recalling about 31,000 emergency exit signs. The recalled exit signs were sold under the Lightalarms, Emergi-Lite, and Dynaray brand names and can be installed in either 120-volt or 277-volt applications. Only signs with a red LED and installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. These emergency exit signs could be installed in public buildings such as schools, offices and shopping centers to mark an exit in the event of a power failure and loss of lighting. They have a white or black plastic housing and are 13 ½ inches long, 8 3/8-inches high and 2 7/8-inches deep. Recalled units have a raised bead around the edge of the front face and a rectangular rocker switch on the bottom. The product make, model, and date code is located on a label inside the enclosure. The recalled emergency exit signs were manufactured between January 1997 and June 1999 and sold nationwide by electrical wholesalers and distributors for between $75 and $80.PROBLEM: The emergency exit signs have an internal electrical component that could overheat and fail when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the enclosure, posing a fire hazard.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: There have been 19 reports of these emergency exit signs overheating and smoking or causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.WHAT TO DO: Building managers with recalled emergency exit signs should contact Thomas & Betts toll-free at (800) 991-8010 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to request a free repair kit. The repair kit can also be requested online at www.lightalarms.com, www.emergi-lite.com, and www.dynaray.tnb-canada.com.

Hazard

The emergency exit signs have an internal electrical component that could overheat and fail when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the enclosure, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

There have been 19 reports of these emergency exit signs overheating and smoking or causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Building managers with recalled emergency exit signs should contact Thomas & Betts toll-free at (800) 991-8010 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to request a free repair kit. The repair kit can also be requested online at www.lightalarms.com, www.emergi-lite.com, and www.dynaray.tnb-canada.com.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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