280 Series Mechanical Heat Detector Recall

Customer Service: Please call (800) 505-5088

Frequently Asked Questions:

General Information
Product Replacement
Reimbursements
Product Returns
Additional Information

General Information

  1. How do I determine if the unit I have is affected?

    To determine if a unit is affected you must look at the following:
    1. Verify the unit is an Edwards unit (see question 2 to differentiate Edwards unit from competitor units)
    2. Unit must be a 135F model. Check "135" is printed on the side of the detector in large font.
    3. Unit must is either -
      1. Installed in a commercial life-safety application (see question 3) with a date code higher than January 1, 2004 (date code: 04001. Please file a claim immediately if your unit falls into this category; or
      2. b. Unit is installed in a residential attic or garage although not considered life safety, could pose an unmonitored risk, therefore models installed in such applications are within the scope of this recall. Please file a claim immediately if your unit falls into this category; or
      3. Unit is within the warranty period: For a unity to qualify inside the warranty period, the date code must be higher than January 1, 2014. The date code is showed after the "135F" information and consists of 5 digits. The first two digits indicate the year, the other three digits indicate the day in the year. This number must be higher than 14001 to qualify as within recall scope.

    NOTE: If your unit is not installed in a commercial life-safety application or in a residential attic or garage and does not qualify within the warranty period, then your unit is outside of the scope of this recall.

    Table 1: Affected models
    Catalog Number Description
    104-13 Heat Detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, sold by Interlogix, NAPCO
    104-15 Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, sold by Interlogix
    1EYC2 Heat detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, Edwards, Grainger P/N
    1EYC4 Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, Edwards, Grainger P/N
    281A Heat detector 135F, Fixed temperature and rate of rise, Edwards
    281B-20pkg-OEM-UTC01 Heat Detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, Honeywell Security
    281B-20pkg-OEM-UTC20 Heat Detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, Interlogix
    281B-OEM-UTC01 Heat Detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, Honeywell Security
    281B-PL Heat detector, 135F, Rate of Rise and Fixed temperature, Edwards branded, Honeywell, JCI/Tyco, NAPCO
    283B-20pkg-OEM-UTC01 Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, Honeywell Security
    283B-PL Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, Edwards branded, Honeywell, JCI/Tyco
    73340U Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature and Rate of Rise, Mirtone
    73342U Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, Mirtone
    AI281B Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature and rate of rise, Edwards
    AI283B Heat Detector, 135F, Fixed temperature, Edwards
  2. Are there any markings/features that differentiate Edward's unit vs competitor units?

    • Edward's units has a smooth top with a collector disk on top, no layers.
    • Detector has printed "Not a life safety device" on top of the detector.
    • Collector disk has small holes along the edge.


  3. How do I determine if my unit is installed in a life-safety application or in a residential attic or garage?

    • Please refer to 2: Potential Safety Applications in the Safety Notice (SN00017)for a detailed explanation of building codes and life-safety applications. If any of the following commercial facility uses applies to your unit installation, please consider it a life-safety application and file a claim as soon as possible.

    Table 2: Potential Safety Applications - Purpose
    Commercial Facility Uses of Heat Detectors Purpose
    Elevator Power Shutdown Provide electrical safety prior to sprinklers activating (above 135F) and preventing failed egress (being trapped in elevator).
    Reduction in Fire Barrier Resistance of Construction Materials Retrofit application exception (old codes had lower time requirements for burn through).
    In Lieu of Smoke Detectors Exception based scenarios due to ambient (dirty) conditions in certain occupancies typically requiring Authority Having Jurisdiction or Engineer Design Approval (not an installer decision).
    In Lieu of Sprinklers Special circumstances in certain occupancies allow exceptions:
    Non-occupied spaces (attics); no machinery present (e.g. HVAC equipment); apartment buildings, etc.
    For Releasing Door Locks Any detected alarm heat, smoke, or sprinkler water flow needs to release Access Controlled doors for egress.
    In Lieu of Manual Pull Stations Reducing manual false (intentional) alarms in educational gyms, auditoriums, and assembly areas.
    In a Residential Attic or Garage Installation is intended for property protection but may present an unmonitored risk

  4. How do I read the date code?

    • The date code consists of 5 digits (YYDDD) where YY = last two characters of calendar year, DDD = Ordinal/Julian number of the day of the calendar year. The date code has to be higher than 14001 (January 1, 2014) for the detector to qualify within the warranty period.
    • Older units may have a 4 digit date code (YYWW) where YY = last two numbers of calendar year, WW = week in that calendar year. The date code has to be higher than 1401 to qualify within the warranty period.


  5. Can I file a claim for units older than the warranty date code?

    • No. Units outside of the warranty period that are non-life safety installations or in residential attics or garages are outside of the scope of this recall.

    NOTE: Models with date codes prior to January 1, 2004 should be replaced per NFPA 72 and ULC S-536 requirements, which recommends replacement of heat detectors after fifteen years, and are therefore outside the scope of this recall, but you should still replace them at your expense.

  6. I have an affected unit, what are the next steps?

    1. If you are a business owner, please contact a fire alarm professional of your choice for a replacement alternative.
    2. Read and understand the Safety Notice (SN00017) which outlines the scope and solution for this recall. Record the Form Registration Code as it will be required to file a claim.
    3. Determine if your unit is within the scope of this recall to file a claim.
      If your unit is installed in a commercial life-safety application OR if it is installed in a residential attic or garage (see table 2) OR if it is within the warranty period (date code is higher than 14004), your unit is within the scope of this recall and you can go ahead and file a claim.
      You can also go to the Edwards Recall Center and follow the claim steps to determine if your unit is within the recall scope.
    4. Replace unit with a suitable alternative, as advised by a fire alarm professional.
      To remove the detector: Insert the tip of a screwdriver into the rectangular slot in the side of the detector base (see applicable mounting illustration for location of slot), lift the locking finger of the mounting plate, and turn the detector counterclockwise until it can be withdrawn from the plate.

      Figure 1: Mounting Illustration


    5. Destroy the unit by ripping off the collector disk that is attached to the top of the detector using a set of pliers. Please wear safety gloves or other personal protective equipment to perform this step. Ensure the collector disk and plunger are completely separated from the unit.

      If a blue plunger is still in place and attached to the unit, use a screw driver and a hammer to break the plunger sitting on top of the detector.


    6. Take a photo and complete written certification to submit as proof of destruction. Photo must show the unit's details (type of detector, date code, etc.,) printed on the side of the unit, and the collector disk that was previously removed must be placed on the side of the unit upside down so that the copper ring is showing. These instructions are available in the Safety Notice (SN00017) on our website under the Field Destruction table (see sample photo below).


    7. Start claim in Edwards recall website. Select your country and follow the workflow to ensure your unit is within the scope of the recall. Provide the Form Registration Code, your unit details and contact information. Then, follow the claim process by submitting a photo as Proof of Destruction and signing the Certificate of Destruction. Then, follow their instructions for reimbursements. Record the claim ID provided on the website and sent to you via e-mail to follow through with your claim status.
    8. Receive claim approval confirmation from Edwards recall center with the reimbursement amount and estimated processing time via e-mail.
    9. Receive reimbursement from Edwards. Once your claim is approved, you should receive a reimbursement from Edwards. Fire Alarm Professionals should not charge end users for labor and materials related to this remediation, to the extent reimbursed by Edwards. The reimbursement amount is meant to cover 100% of the cost of the unit, and the remainder is a contribution toward the labor involved in the removal and replacement thereof, as labor rates may vary. Anything additional would be borne by the customer or the installer.

  7. What do I do with the unit when I remove it?

    Once the unit is removed and a replacement alternative is put in place, proceed to the field destruction step outlined in the Safety Notice (SN00017) and above (see step 4 under question 5). Units can then be disposed according to state's regulations.

  8. Can I remove the unit from my system without replacing with an alternative? Will my system work if it's removed?

    No. You must have a replacement available before you remove the unit from the ceiling. If the unit is removed and no replacement is installed, the Zone where the detector was located will be deactivated, sending a trouble alert to the panel, but the rest of your system will continue to function.

  9. What is the risk if I do nothing?

    If the units are installed in certain commercial applications, there is a life safety risk in which the device will not activate in the event of a fire. Edwards is asking you to replace any affected units installed in life-safety applications immediately.

    Residential attics or garages, although not considered life safety, could pose an unmonitored risk, therefore models installed in such applications are within the scope of this recall. Edwards is asking you to replace units installed in these applications immediately.

    Heat detectors in non-life safety applications are not life safety devices and are used for property protection. If used in residential applications, detectors should also be replaced to ensure property protection.

  10. Is this action mandatory?

    Yes. By CPSC direction, units installed in commercial life-safety applications and residential attics or garages must be destroyed and replaced.

Product Replacement

  1. What product should I use as a replacement?

    Please consult a fire alarm professional for a suitable replacement option.

  2. Will a competitor product have the same/ similar issue?

    Edwards can only provide information regarding its product. For questions on competitor product, please contact a fire alarm professional of your choice.

  3. Will I be charged for an alternate replacement?

    If your product qualifies as within recall scope and the required documentation to certify destruction is provided, Edwards will reimburse fire or security alarm professionals a fixed amount per unit or a flat fee per residential site, as determined by Edwards, covering the cost of the defective unit and a contribution to the labor related to the unit’s removal.

Reimbursements

  1. How will I be reimbursed? Check, credit, etc.?

    If you are an Edwards customer and have an account number, Edwards will issue a product credit to your account for reimbursement. If you are not an Edwards customer, you will receive a check in the mail from Edwards Recall Center. Reimbursements will be given upon approval of proof of destruction documentation.

    Reimbursement amounts will be available upon submission and approval of required documentation to certify destruction.

  2. When will I receive the reimbursement?

    Reimbursements will be issued upon approval of proof of destruction documentation. You will receive a notification if your submission has been approved. Refunds will be processed based on the order in which they are received and typically take anywhere from 10 to 20 business days to process depending on claim volume.

  3. How long will it take to process the documentation submitted? How will I get notified?

    Documentation approval will take up to 3 business days. Notifications will be sent via email using the claim ID provided as reference.

  4. I had an account with Edwards but it is no longer active. How can I get a refund?

    Edwards Recall Center will issue a refund check on the mail to account for reimbursements for customers who are no longer an Edwards’ customer.

  5. Will Edwards compensate me for the difference in cost of an alternative product?

    No. If your product qualifies as within recall scope and the required documentation to certify destruction is provided, Edwards will reimburse you an amount to cover 100% of the cost of the unit, and the remainder is a contribution toward the labor involved in the removal and replacement thereof, as labor rates may vary. Anything additional would be borne by the customer or the installer.

  6. Will I be compensated for Labor or any additional installation costs?

    Yes. Edwards will reimburse fire or security alarm professionals a fixed amount per unit or a flat fee per residential site, as determined by Edwards, covering the cost of the defective unit and a contribution to the labor related to the unit’s removal. Such amounts should be credited to the end user by the fire or security alarm professional as units are replaced.

Product Returns

  1. Can I return my unit instead of destroying it in the field?

    No. All units within scope of this recall must be field destroyed.

    Table 2: Julian Date Calendar


Additional Information

  1. Who do I contact if I have a problem and need assistance?

    For any questions about this recall, Please have your unique identification number and contact Edwards Recall Center at (800) 505-5088 or edwards@rsvpcomm.com

  2. Supporting Documents

    280 Series Heat Detectors
    Fixed Temperature Heat Detectors

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