Many newer condominiums have experienced sprinkler head failures resulting in spontaneous opening of the sprinkler head without heat being present. A successful class action lawsuit has been approved in the United States (a copy of a legal announcement below). These sprinkler heads were available in the market between January 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015. If your site was built any time after January 1, 2013 you are advised to contact your fire inspection/protection company to have them confirm that the defective Viking457 fire sprinkler heads are not present in your building.
Viking VK457 Fire Sprinklers Nationwide Class Action Settlement
Sauder Schelkopf and co-counsel have reached a nationwide class action settlement on behalf of tens of thousands of property owners. The settlement provides for a national replacement program at no cost to property owners. Property owners with Viking VK457 Fire Sprinklers that were sold between Jan. 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015, are eligible for a free replacement. It was alleged that these sprinklers have a manufacturing defect that causes them to activate without heat being present. This alleged fire sprinkler defect can flood a home with several inches of water in a short period of time and cause significant damage to homes and personal property. On July 28, 2020, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland granted final approval to the proposed class action settlement.
For more information or to obtain a Claim Form, visit www.vk457sprinklersettlement.com or contact info@vk457sprinklersettlement.com. The settlement website contains all relevant dates regarding the settlement, relevant court documents, and answers to frequently asked questions concerning the settlement. Claims can also be submitted through the settlement website.
