CPSC Recall in 2001: CPSC, Lithonia Lighting Announce Recall of Emergency Lights

PRODUCT: Emergency Lights - Lithonia Lighting, a division of National Service Industries Inc. of Atlanta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 1.2 million emergency lights. The ELM and ELM2 emergency lights can be installed in either 120-volt or 277-volt applications. Of the 1.2 million lights, only lights installed in 277-volt applications need to be repaired. These emergency lights could be installed in public buildings such as schools, offices and shopping centers to provide emergency lighting in the event of a power failure. They are typically located near exit doors to aid in building evacuation. They have a black or off-white polycarbonate housing with two incandescent lamps, and are 16-inches wide, 5-inches high, and 4-inches deep. The name "Lithonia" is molded into the housing. The product date code is located on a label inside the front housing. The recalled lights have date codes between 208S13 and 705S13, or between 9208S13 and 9705S13. Lithonia's electrical wholesalers and distributors sold the recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights nationwide from August 1992 to May 1997 for between $45 and $65.PROBLEM: The emergency lights have an internal electrical component that could overheat when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the lighting enclosure, posing a fire hazard.INCIDENTS/INJURIES: There have been 16 reports of these lights smoking and overheating causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.WHAT TO DO: Building managers with recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights should contact Lithonia Lighting toll-free at (800) 896-9288 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Recall information and repair kits are available online at www.lithonia.com/elmrecall.

The emergency lights have an internal electrical component that could overheat when connected to 277-volt electrical systems and melt the lighting enclosure, posing a fire hazard.

Repair

There have been 16 reports of these lights smoking and overheating causing melted or damaged enclosures. No injuries have been reported.

Lithonia's electrical wholesalers and distributors sold the recalled ELM and ELM2 emergency lights nationwide from August 1992 to May 1997 for between $45 and $65.