Hearth Record

CPSC, Fire Control Instruments Announce Recall for Audio Evacuation Units

Home product recall 04-507. Announced by CPSC on Oct 30, 2003.

CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Oct 30, 2003. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The AEU can enter a “sleep” mode, where it does not communicate with the system. When this occurs, audible evacuation signals associated with the failed AEU will not operate and building occupants may not be warned of an emergency.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

FCI will provide a new software chip set for each FireVac System, at no charge.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Distributors who do not receive the new software chip set or who have additional questions should contact their customer service representative at (800) 633-1311 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Which ones are recalled?

All FCI AEUs (part number 1100-1171) manufactured prior to April 12, 2003. These AEUs are used in FireVac 7200 System Control Units. A label in the left center of the circuit board reads “FCI 7200” and “AEU.” All V5 versions below V5.2-008 and V6 versions below V6.0.14 are included in the recall.

276 units, as CPSC gives them.

Audio Evacuation Unit.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by Fire Control Instruments, Westwood, Mass.
  • To FCI distributors nationwide, from January 1998 through April 11, 2003, for a list price of $825.
  • Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

FCI has received seven reports of AEUs unexpectedly entering a “sleep” mode. No injuries have been reported.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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