Gamewell-FCI 600 Series SmartScan Fire Alarm Control Panels

CPSC Recall #07-565 — July 26, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number07-565
Recall DateJuly 26, 2007
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 1,100
ManufacturerGamewell-FCI, of Northford, Conn.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Authorized distributors nationwide from October 2004 through May 2007 for between about $400 and $3
500. Authorized distributors resold and installed the control panels for commercial end users in facilities such as hotels and office buildings.

Product

Gamewell-FCI 600 Series SmartScan Fire Alarm Control Panels

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gamewell-FCI, of Northford, Conn., is voluntarily recalling about 1,100 Gamewell-FCI 600 Series SmartScan Fire Alarm Control Panels. The software in the fire alarm system could fail to recognize when a detector needs servicing as a result of the buildup of dust, dirt, or other environmental pollutants, which could result in the system failing to respond in the event of a fire.Name of Product: Gamewell-FCI 600 Series SmartScan Fire Alarm Control PanelsUnits: About 1,100Manufacturer: Gamewell-FCI, of Northford, Conn.Hazard: The software in the fire alarm system could fail to recognize when a detector needs servicing as a result of the buildup of dust, dirt, or other environmental pollutants, which could result in the system failing to respond in the event of a fire.Incidents/Injuries: Gamewell-FCI has received no reports of the firmware failing to operate in the event of a fire.Description and Models: The software upgrade involves the Gamewell-FCI model 600 Series control panel using System Sensor compatible line cards, SmartScan. These panels are components of the Gamewell-FCI 600 Series fire alarm system. They provide the signaling line circuits and display information for the system.Sold at: Authorized distributors nationwide from October 2004 through May 2007 for between about $400 and $3,500. Authorized distributors resold and installed the control panels for commercial end users in facilities such as hotels and office buildings.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Gamewell-FCI is contacting customers directly and providing a free firmware software upgrade.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Gamewell-FCI at (800) 633-1311 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or go to the firm's website at www.gamewell-fci.com.

Hazard

The software in the fire alarm system could fail to recognize when a detector needs servicing as a result of the buildup of dust, dirt, or other environmental pollutants, which could result in the system failing to respond in the event of a fire.

Incidents & Injuries

Gamewell-FCI has received no reports of the firmware failing to operate in the event of a fire.

Remedy Instructions

Gamewell-FCI is contacting customers directly and providing a free firmware software upgrade.

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.