Safety regulator, Thomas & Betts Announce Recall of Emergency Exit Signs
Recall 03520 · Feb 5, 2003 · Thomas & Betts Corporation
31,000
units affected
31,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 03520
- Date
- Feb 5, 2003
- Company
- Thomas & Betts Corporation
- Units affected
- 31,000
- Product
- Emergency Exit Signs
- Product type
- Lights & Signs (Emergency & Exit)
- Hazard
- Fire
The product
The recalled exit signs were sold under the Lightalarms, Emergi-Lite, and Dynaray brand names and can be installed in either 120-volt or 277-volt applications. Only signs with a red LED and installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. These emergency exit signs could be installed in public buildings such as schools, offices and shopping centers to mark an exit in the event of a power failure and loss of lighting. They have a white or black plastic housing and are 13 ½ inches long, 8-3/8 inches high and 2-7/8 inches deep. Recalled units have a raised bead around the edge of the front face and a rectangular rocker switch on the bottom. The product make, model, and date code is located on a label inside the enclosure. The recalled emergency exit signs were manufactured between January 1997 and June 1999.
What can happen
The emergency exit signs have an internal electrical component that could overheat and fail, when connected to 277-volt electrical systems, and melt the enclosure, posing a fire hazard.
The fix
Building managers with recalled emergency exit signs should contact Thomas & Betts to request a free repair kit.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- There have been 19 reports of these emergency exit signs overheating and smoking or causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.
- Sold at
- The emergency exit signs were sold nationwide by electrical wholesalers and distributors for between $75 and $80.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled emergency exit signs?
Building managers with recalled emergency exit signs should contact Thomas & Betts to request a free repair kit.
What is the hazard?
The emergency exit signs have an internal electrical component that could overheat and fail, when connected to 277-volt electrical systems, and melt the enclosure, posing a fire hazard.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.