ELM and ELM2 emergency lights
CPSC Recall #01-514 — April 12, 2001
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 01-514 |
| Recall Date | April 12, 2001 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 1.2 million |
Where It Was Sold
| Lithonia's electrical wholesalers and distributors sold the recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights nationwide from August 1992 to May 1997 for between $45 and $65. |
Product
ELM and ELM2 emergency lights
Description
PRODUCT: Emergency Lights - Lithonia Lighting, a division of National Service Industries Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.2 million emergency lights. The ELM and ELM2 emergency lights can be installed in either 120-volt or 277-volt applications. Of the 1.2 million lights, only lights installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. These emergency lights could be installed in public buildings such as schools, offices and shopping centers to provide emergency lighting in the event of a power failure. They are typically located near exit doors to aid in building evacuation. They have a black or off-white polycarbonate housing with two incandescent lamps, and are 16-inches wide, 5-inches high, and 4-inches deep. The name "Lithonia" is molded into the housing. The product date code is located on a label inside the front housing. The recalled lights have date codes between 208S13 and 705S13, or between 9208S13 and 9705S13. Lithonia's electrical wholesalers and distributors sold the recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights nationwide from August 1992 to May 1997 for between $45 and $65.PROBLEM: The emergency lights have an internal electrical component that could overheat when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the lighting enclosure, posing a fire hazard.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: There have been 16 reports of these lights smoking and overheating causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.WHAT TO DO: Building managers with recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights should contact Lithonia Lighting toll-free at (800) 896-9288 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall information and repair kits are available online at www.lithonia.com/elmrecall.
Hazard
The emergency lights have an internal electrical component that could overheat when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the lighting enclosure, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
There have been 16 reports of these lights smoking and overheating causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Building managers with recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights should contact Lithonia Lighting toll-free at (800) 896-9288 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall information and repair kits are available online at www.lithonia.com/elmrecall.
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.
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.