Chances of Obtaining a Firecom 8000/8500 Panel

Fire Alarm General Discussion
1

So, someone told me the following about Firecom’s panels:

  1. Firecom themselves must remove their own panels and nobody else is permitted to do so.
  2. They are difficult to obtain because they might not give them out to collectors based on their policy.
  3. Nearly all 8000/8500 series systems have been removed, so the chances of finding any are one in a million.

I would like anyone to confirm that these statements are real.

2

I for one cannot confirm or deny for certain any of those statements, but they sound very likely to be true (the last one in particular given the age of the few 8000 & 8500 systems that still exist (if any do!) & when both first came out (which was sometime in the 80s I think). The second sounds downright stupid though, especially since if we don’t help preserve life safety history then who will? Clearly not Firecom given that “policy” of theirs! (if it’s true at least)

3

Yes, those are all true! You’re more likely to win the lottery than get a whole working 8500 with devices and all

4

Any evidence? Pictures, websites with text, anything?

5

Because honestly, methinks that the only chances of obtaining one is probably getting one out of an abandoned building in New York? I don’t know…

6

I don’t have any of that but I do know a guy who is very knowledgeable in firecom systems and he’s confirmed this @Wei_Huan

7

They didn’t let their stuff get abandoned, generally, so there isn’t exactly an abundance of old buildings with unclaimed firecom around. It’s highly unlikely you will find a panel.

Information in the patent lead to the discovery of the tone module used for the infamous whoop/chime sequence; this part can be recreated and is probably the main thing people think about with those panels anyway

8

Goodluck finding one in the first place, I been looking for almost 2 years now with almost 300 Firecom installations found of which all the systems are LSN or past Firecom replaced with another brand or 8000/8500 to LSN upgrade, most 8000/8500 systems got replaced in the early 2000s or 2010s

From what a tech says there is still 1 or 2 8000 system somewhere in the city that’s in service but they rarely service it, probably because there’s not much that goes bad on those systems.

I don’t think you would want the 8500 panel either they operate and are setup very differently from normal panels, each panel is custom built to that project, they have TTB panels which are huge that tie into the floor devices so you would need those too because the main panel at the lobby is just a control interface basically.

If you’re trying to obtain a LSN series panel just don’t it’s all behind software and passcode locked.

9

Try Duro Dyne. This was the most recent recording of the Firecom 8X. They’re a sheet metal contractor in North Bay Shore, NY.

10

Already known about that place for a while, that video is from many years ago, the one current on YouTube is a reupload so it’s unknown if it’s still there or not since they are a private business and don’t have much pictures of inside.

11

I have found a few past 8500 installations before that still have the original cabinet or cabinet door but the system is long gone and replaced with something newer

12

I have found a few past 8500 installations before that still have the original cabinet or cabinet door but the system is long gone and replaced with something newer

I am aware of the retrofitting of some. And what do the TTB panels look like?

If you’re trying to obtain a LSN series panel just don’t it’s all behind software and passcode locked.

And really? I never planned on trying to obtain an LSN 2000 where they’re not as rare, but the passcode I could probably get around because I’m good with computers, unless it ain’t that kind of computer.

13

i have posted pictures of the TTB in the other thread in the forum that asks about pictures of the 8500.

14

That one seems kinda bogus. Imagine if Simplex or Edwards said that lol. As far as you have a license to service fire alarms like I do, they can pound sand. You think they replaced all their panels, doubt it, bet many other companies have come in and put in their own equipment, and just never bothered to ask Firecom because they don’t need to.

Plus most technicians who replace systems like this will almost always toss it in the trash. Most aren’t trying to save equipment, they just wanna get the job done lol.

15

Which is a shame: if you ask me they oughta be properly educated on the historical significance of such things so that they won’t just default to throwing them away.