Fire risk from `faulty' sprinklers // Buildings nationwide have model that fails tests

A fire sprinkler system with a history of failure has ignitedconcerns among Chicago area safety officials who want to know howmany buildings are using the devices.

A model of the Omega sprinkler head used by hospitals, schools,hotels and apartment complexes all over the country has a 31 percentfailure rate in ongoing Underwriters Laboratories tests and a 35percent failure rate in tests conducted this year.

One Chicago association reported failure rates as high as 90percent.Central Sprinkler of Lansdale, Pa., which manufactures theOmega, says the fault lies not with the product, but with the way itis installed.It's unclear how many buildings here use the Omega …