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UL Warns of Counterfeit Automatic Fire Sprinklers

NORTHBROOK, Ill., September 11, 2008 - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is notifying consumers, distributors and property owners of automatic fire sprinklers that bear a counterfeit UL and cUL Mark have been reported in Kuwait. At this time UL has received no reports that these counterfeit sprinklers have been found in the United States or Canada. Although marked with the word "Globe," these sprinklers are not manufactured by Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. a Michigan maufacturer and have not been evaluated for safety by UL. This information supersedes a public notice released by UL on July 14, 2006.

Name of Products: GL 5651 Pendent type fire sprinklers
GL 5661 Upright type fire sprinklers
GL 5626 Horizontal Sidewall fire sprinklers
GL 5681 Concealed type fire sprinklers

Units: Unknown quantity

Date of Manufacture: January of 2004 to present

Manufacturer: Unknown

Identification: On the product: The word "Globe" appears on the product. Sprinklers with the counterfeit UL Mark are manufactured with a slot-head screw and Job F5 or Job FR glass bulb. Non-counterfeit UL-Listed sprinklers manufactured by Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp. contain a hex-head screw and a Job G5 or F3 glass bulb.

In addition, identifiable markings are found on the counterfeit sprinklers' deflectors on the following models:

Pendent type automatic fire sprinkler
SSP, cULus in a circle, GL 5651, 2004, 155°F/68°C

Upright type automatic fire sprinkler
SSU-1, cULus in a circle, GL 5661, 2004, 155°F/68°C

Horizontal sidewall type automatic fire sprinkler
cULus in a circle, GL 5626, 2004, 155°F/68°C, Flow, Sidewall Top

Concealed type automatic fire sprinkler
cULus in a circle, GL 5681, 2006, 155°F/68°C

What You Should Do: UL recommends that the sprinklers be replaced by qualified service personnel and returned to the place of purchase.

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