BRK AC-powered smoke detectors
Check against the official notice below — it lists the full affected range.
BRK Electronics, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, issued a second recall notice on August 1, 1977, for all BRK SS749 series smoke detectors manufactured before September 26, 1975. The recall was initiated after the company discovered that incorrectly-rated resistors were used in these detectors produced between March 1974 and September 26, 1975. These resistors could fail and make the units inoperable, and under certain circumstances could cause a fire inside the detector. Although the detectors are enclosed in self-extinguishing plastic, they are being recalled as a precautionary measure. Between 85-90,000 of these detectors have not been located since the first recall notice issued on January 25, 1977.
The affected detectors are 110-volt AC-powered units that sold for a suggested retail price of $39.95 and were marketed by BRK, American Machine & Foundry (AMF), I-T-E Imperial Corporation, and Sears. The specific model numbers are BRK SS749AC, SS749ACS, SS749L, and SS749SL; AMF 2000AC and 2000ACL; I-T-E IT01-AC; and Sears 9-57049, 9-57047, and 9-57048. Consumers should check their detector's model number by turning off power at the fuse box or circuit breaker (for hard-wired units) or unplugging it (for line cord units), then removing the cover to examine the label on the plastic base. The source specifies that Sears customers should contact their nearest Sears store to arrange for inspection and free replacement, but does not specify a remedy for customers with detectors from other manufacturers.
Written by software from the official notice below. Not reviewed by a lawyer.
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
Smoke Detectors Recalled by BRK Electronics NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 1977 Release # 77-083 Recall Of Smoke Detectors Continues WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 1) -- BRK Electronics, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), today issued a second notice of the recall of all BRK SS749 series smoke detectors manufactured before September 26, 1975. The first notice of this recall was issued January 25, 1977, but between 85-90,000 of these smoke detectors have not been located. The recall was begun voluntarily by BRK when the company discovered that incorrectly- rated resistors were used in the SS749 series smoke detectors produced from March 1974 to September 26, 1975. These resistors could fail, making the unit inoperable, and may under certain circumstances cause a fire inside the detector. Although the detector is enclosed in self-extinguishing plastic, the units are being recalled as a precautionary measure. According to BRK, all distributors who purchased the detectors have been contacted and with the company's help have been notifying the contractors who installed the detectors to organize factory supervised replacement programs. The units subject to this recall are 110 volt AC-powered detectors which sold for a suggested retail price of $39.95. No battery-powered detectors are involved. Some models were manufactured with ordinary power cords (line cord) which plug into wall outlets, others have pigtail leads (hard wire) for installation directly into the household circuit The units subject to this recall are 110 volt AC-powered detectors which sold for a suggested retail price of $39.95. No battery-powered detectors are involved. Some models were manufactured with ordinary power cords (line cord) which plug into wall outlets, others have pigtail leads (hard wire) for installation directly into electric wiring. The detectors were marketed by BRK, American Machine & Foundry (AMF), I-T-E Imperial Corporation (I-T-E) and Sears, Roebuck & Company (Sears). They have the following model numbers: BRK SS749AC (hard wire) SS749ACS (hard wire) SS749L (line cord) SS749SL (line cord) AMF 2000AC (hard wire) 2000ACL (line cord) I-T-E IT0l-AC (hard wire) Sears 9-57049 (hard wire) 9-57047 (line cord) 9-57048 (line cord) Homeowners who suspect they have one of these smoke detectors are urged to check the model number on their unit. (Caution: Before inspecting hard-wired detectors, electrical power to the unit must be turned off at the fuse box or circuit breaker; line cord detectors must be unplugged before inspection). Once the power is off, remove the cover and examine the side of the plastic base for a label which contains the model number. Anyone who has one of the Sears units affected by this recall should contact the nearest Sears store, which will arrange for inspection and free replacement of the unit containing the defect. People who believe they have any of the other detectors under recall should contact BRK to obtain a fact sheet, which gives very specific criteria for identifying potentially defective units, as well as replacement instructions. Additional information concerning the recall can be obtained by contacting BRK Electronics, 780 McClure Avenue, Aurora, Illinois 60507, Attention: Dennis Wm. Clair, Project 749 Director; or by calling toll-free 800/323-9005 and asking for the Project 749 Department.
Official record: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Republished from the official source above; details can change — the source record controls.