Fire Alarms in Buildings (2.0)

[El_Chupacabra (Samuel)]

This weekend, I attended events at two historic schools in my area. I thought I’d share these buildings’ systems as I found them rather interesting.

The first school is a public high school that occupies a four-storey building; it was built in different phases beginning in 1874. The current setup appears to have been installed in the late 1990s and features a Mircom panel (likely an FX-2000) with a two-bay RA-1000 annunciator in the main entrance. The pull stations are older Mircom MS-401s (with grey instruction labels instead of white ones), while the heat detectors are MIR-600s and the smoke detectors are newer MIX-2251s; the smoke detector heads are mounted on yellowed System Sensor bases that are missing their trim rings, leading me to believe that they are replacing older heads. The signals in the hallways and common are “classic” SpectrAlert horn/strobes, while the ones in the classrooms are Mircom MH-24 mini horns (rebranded Amseco MH-24s).

The second school is a K-12 private school; the main building (which is the only one I visited) has three floors and was built in different phases beginning in 1925. This school has a Simplex system with 4602 RCU and SCU annunciators (mounted in a stainless steel 4602 cabinet). The pull stations are older T-bars with bilingual lettering, and the heat detectors are older Thermoflex models that appear to be from the 1970s or 1980s. The smoke detectors are a mix of Simplex 12098-9505s (ionization “wiffle ball” detectors), System Sensor 1400s and System Sensor i3s. The signals are Wheelock MT horns, many of which are mounted on older-looking trim plates. The two photos below show some of the devices I saw in this building.

[BigKayCea]

Novi United Methodist Church (Novi) - This church was built in a series of additions starting in the 1960s. However, through observation, it does not appear the church got its own fire alarm system installed until the 1990s. It follows a similar setup with St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Dearborn Heights despite the ages of both buildings.

Annunciators/panel:
<Unknown, presumably a Simplex 4001 or 4004

Detectors:
<Older First Alert CO600-series plug-in or battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors

Pull stations:
<Simplex 2099-9102 models enclosed by STI Stopper II covers

Notification appliances:
<Simplex 4903-series horn/strobes
<Simplex 4904-series strobes

[randomperson]

Some more details from Boston Logan International Airport.
Terminal B
This is one of many Simplex systems at Logan.

Pulls: 4099-9006’s

Detectors: TrueAlarms

Signals: TrueAlert speaker/strobes…

…and some 4903 speaker/strobes.

There used to be Wheelock E-9070-IS-24-CFW speaker/strobes in some areas, but they’ve fallen victim to refurbishments.

Terminal C
I’ve already discussed this system extensively on here, but there are 2 extra things…

1. The check-in hall has some Wheelock E70 speaker/strobes mounted on poles attached to the check-in desks, in addition to the TrueAlert speaker/strobes mounted on the walls.
   
   
2. The chapel (yes, there’s a chapel here) has an old, disconnected Edwards 802-2B strobe. I was quite surprised to see Edwards equipment in any of the terminals at Logan!
   
   

[Alex_Robbins (Alex Robbins aka Captain Asch)]

If only that Edwards strobe could be saved. They’re hard to find, especially in the wild.

[Mack_Doyle]

In Deerwood MN Country Inn Deerwood built 1978
Pull Stations NBG12 And Edwards 270-SPO
Alarms Edwards 882-2B Horn and System Sensor P2RL
Outside Wheelock 34T Horn

[Mack_Doyle]

[hilo2-est3-fire]

I agree. Those strobes are super rare.

[Kai_Bannon]

I found a Wheelock AS and a pretty rare pull station in Winco of Salem

[randomperson]

Orlando International Airport
Main Terminal
Has a rather varied EST system. Some of the SIGA-278’s are on extension adapters and some are inside cabinets.

Airside 1
Pulls: EST SIGA-278’s

Detectors: Not many in the public areas but there are beam detectors near the automated people mover.

Signals: Genesis speaker/strobes and some 960-series speaker/strobes.

[Dr.Exquisite (Somedudewithanexitsign)]

That’s unique for a WinCo. Usually I see WinCos with Bosch or Silent Knight with the newer locations.

[Gentex_SPK4]

@randomperson

BoardWalk
Panel: Cerberus Pyrotronics MXL, location unknown. What I previously thought could have been a different type of panel years ago turned out to be a bulletin board cabinet.
Pulls: MSI-10B’s

Detectors: ILP-1’s…

…and at least one FirePrint.

Signals: Gentex SPK4 speaker/strobes

Some have been replaced with SSPK24WLPW speaker/strobes.

Quick update, looks like they replaced the FACP recently…

[tythegiant]

Freehold Raceway Mall

Main Mall Area

Panel: Notifier ONYX Panel (Likely a 3030 or 640)

Pulls: NBG-12LXs

Detectors: FSP-851s

Signals: Gentex Commander 3s

Shops (Conventional, connected to the main panel)

Detectors: System Sensor I3s, System Sensor 2400s, and Edwards 6250Bs

Signals: Gentex Commander 3s and 4s

Primark

Panel: Notifier FireWarden (Likely an NFW2-100 or NFW-50X)

Pulls: NOT-BG12LXs

Detectors: Notifier NP-100Rs in System Sensor DNR duct detector housings

Signals: Wheelock Exceeders

JCPenny

Panel: ADT Addressable Panel (Likely a Unimode 9050UD)

Pulls: ADT-BG-12LXes

Detectors: Honeywell 355 and 365 series detectors

Signals: System Sensor PC2Ws and SCWs

Macy’s

Panel: Notifier ONYX Panel (Likely tied to the main system or likely the main panel)

Pulls: NBG-12LXes

Detectors: FSP-851s

Signals: Wheelock MT-24MCW-FRs

Defunct Stores

There used to be a Lord & Taylor in this mall. I only remember the detectors used in this store, which were Notifier SDX-551-RCs as well as some other unknown detectors. This mall also used to have a Sears, in which Primark opened in the second floor (Alarms mentioned above).

[tythegiant]

Hamilton Mall

Main Mall Area

Panel: ADT rebranded EST panel (Likely an EST3)

Pulls: ADT rebranded SIGA-278s

Detectors: ADT rebranded SIGA-PSs and recently added Edwards branded SIGA-PDs (some shops have old what I believe are ESL detectors that are disconnected)

Signals: Genesis ceiling mount speaker/strobes (some shops have wall mount) (One spot has an old federal signal 450D with a VALS strobe that is disconnected)

Macy’s

Panel: Unknown Simplex Panel

Pulls: None (that are visible)

Detectors: 2098-9636s

Signals: Simplex rebranded GX-90s, some have been replaced with TrueAlerts

Defunct Stores

There used to be a JCPenny and a Sears in this mall. I only know the signals that were used in these stores. The Sears had Wheelock NSes and the JCPenney had System Sensor SpectrAlert Classic ceiling mount horn strobes in white.

[tythegiant]

Atlantic City International Airport

The original terminal building had five gates and doesn’t have voice evac. Then, later on, the building was expanded to add five more gates and this expansion has voice evac.

The panel is a Gamewell-FCI addressable panel.

Original Building

Pulls: MS-2s (Some of which have been replaced with MS-7s)

Detectors: ASD-PL2s, ATD-L2Fs and one ASD-PL

Signals: Wheelock Exceeders, One Wheelock NS, one Wheelock MT and one System Sensor SS ADA compliant strobe

(The rental car center has the same devices)

Expansion

Pulls: MS-7s (And some MS-2s)

Detectors: ASD-PL2s and System Sensor D4120 duct detectors

Signals: System Sensor SPSRs and SPSCRs

[Jenny]

Gosh, I finally don’t have to put up with the noise of my old smoke alarm noise

My old alarm always went off when I was cooking. I often cook food in pans, which creates smoke. This alarm only went off once in two months, and that time I did burn something. Another nice feature is that it has a large button that is easy to press to silence it for 10 minutes.

[tythegiant]

This post will talk about the systems in some hotels that I’ve stayed in (Excluding Disney resort hotels)

Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront, FL
This hotel has two towers, and each one has a different system. In Tower 1, you acces your room indoors and in Tower 2, you access your room outdoors. I stayed in Tower 2 so I don’t know what devices are in the units in Tower 1.
Tower 1
Panel: Unknown Hochiki Addressable Panel
Pulls: Hochiki DCP-AMS-KLs
Detectors: Hochiki ALN-Vs and ACC-Vs
Signals: Amseco SL24Ws (White) and one Hochiki-rebranded Commander 3 (or 2)
Tower 2
Panel: Addressable Simplex Panel (Likely a 4006ES or 4010ES)
Pulls: FireLite BG-12Ls (Oddly enough)
Detectors: TrueAlarms and unknown conventional heat detectors (elevator recall)
Signals: 4906-9131 Outdoor TrueAlerts
Tower 2 Units
Signals/Detectors: TrueAlarms on sounder bases

Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista, FL
Panel: Simplex Addressable Panel (Likely a 4100U or 4010 using Conventional Zones)
Pulls: 2099-9756s
Detectors: 4098-9601 Conventional TrueAlarms
Signals: 2901-9898s on 4903-9101 strobe plates, Gentex GMSes and SHGs (In some parts of the outdoor portion)
Units
Detectors: Gentex 9120 smoke alarms
Signals: GX-90s

Marriott Newark Liberty International Airport
Panel: Simplex Addressable Panel (Likely a 4100U)
Pulls: 4099-9002s
Detectors: TrueAlarms (Some on CO bases)
Signals: TrueAlert speaker/strobes (White)
Units
Detectors: TrueAlarms on sounder bases
Signals: Wheelock E90 speakers

Walt Disney World Swan
Panel: Siemens Addressable Panel (Likely an MXL)
Pulls: MSI-10Bs and HMS-Ses
Detectors: FP-11s
Signals: Wheelock ET1080-WM-24-VF-Ws, E70s, and Siemens SE-HMC-Ws
Units
Detectors: FP-11s on ADBH-11 sounder bases
Signals: SEC-Ws and ZR-MC-Ws (In ADA-compliant units)

DoubleTree Key West
I’ve heard this system in action before, and it was not fun.
Panel: Addressable FireLite Panel (Likely an MS-9600UDLS)
Pulls: BG-12LXes (Rebranded by a local company)
Detectors: SD355s
Signals: P2Rs, P2RKs, and P2WKs
Units
Detectors: Kidde/FireX i5000 smoke alarms
Signals: Wheelock MiZs (I got woken up at 1AM by these)

Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando
Panel: Notifier Addressable Panel (Likely an NFS2-3030)
Pulls: None (That were visible, probably NBG-12LXes)
Detectors: FSP-951s
Signals: System Sensor SPSCWLs on the first and second floors and Wheelock Eluxa speaker/strobes with L Series speakers from the third floor up.
Units
Detectors: FSP-951s on System Sensor B200S-LF sounder bases
Signals: System Sensor SPWLs on the second floor and Wheelock Eluxa speakers from the third floor up.

Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee, FL)
Panel: Simplex Addressable Panel (Likely a 4100 or 4100U)
Pulls: 2099-9101s
Detectors: TrueAlarms
Signals: Wheelock E70s and ET-1080-IS-24-VFWs
Units
Detectors: TrueAlarms on sounder bases
Signals: Wheelock E70 speakers

DoubleTree (Lancaster, PA)
Panel: Simplex Addressable Panel (Likely a 4100U)
Pulls: 4099-9002s
Detectors: TrueAlarms and six 2908-9636 “Whiffle Balls” (Located in the main ballroom, it is unknown if these are connected, because there’s also TrueAlarms in there)
Signals: Addressable TrueAlert (Non-ES) Horn/Strobes
Units
Detectors/Signals: TrueAlarms on sounder bases

Hilton Anaheim Convention Center
Panel: Unknown
Pulls: None (that are visible)
Detectors: Cerberus-Pyrotronics DI-3s, ILP-1s, ILT-1s and some unknown detectors
Signals: Edwards Integrity strobes (No visible audible signals)
Units
Detectors: Gentex 9120 smoke alarms

Loew’s Royal Pacific (Universal Orlando Resort)
Panel: Notifer Addressable Panel (Likely a 3030, 640, or AFP-400)(Uses CLIP protocol)
Pulls: NBG-12LXes
Detectors: FSP-751s and FSP-851s
Signals: Wheelock E70s
Units
Signals/Detectors: FSP-751/851s on System Sensor B401BH sounder bases

Great Wolf Lodge (Williamsburg, VA)
Panel: Gamewell-FCI Addressable Panel
Pulls: MS-2s (In most of the building) and MS-7s (In the water park)
Detectors: ASD-PL2s
Signals: SpectrAlert Classic Horn/Strobes, one P2R, and a few Wheelock MTs (in one part of the water park)
Units
Signals/Detectors: ASD-PL2s on System Sensor B401BH sounder bases

Great Wolf Lodge (Poconos, PA)
Panel: EST Addressable Panel (Likely an EST3)
Pulls: SIGA-278s
Detectors: SIGA-PSes
Signals: Genesis Horn/Strobes and Integrity Horn/Strobes (located in the water park)
Units
Detectors: SIGA-PSes on SIGA-AB4G sounder bases
Signals: SIGA-AB4G sounder bases, and Genesis remote strobes (In the bathrooms)

There are many more, but I’m gonna leave it here.

[Caleb_Culwell (Locks and alarms)]

There’s an old video of the system going off at the poconos pa great wolf lodge location

[Kai_Bannon]

Disney World’s animal kingdom uses a Siemens voice evacuation system from what I know.

[tythegiant]

There’s all different kinds of systems in Disney (shown above by another user)

[tythegiant]

This post will talk about some of the systems I’ve found in some of the churches that I’ve been to.

Peace Lutheran Church
Panel: Unknown (The system is likely part of a security system)
Pulls: Edwards 270-SPOs
Detectors: None (Residential smoke alarms not connected to the main system)
Signals: System Sensor SpectrAlert Classics

Grace Lutheran Church
Panel: Fire-Lite MS-10UD
Pulls: Edwards 270-SPOs
Detectors: System Sensor I3s (One with a sounder) and Chemtronics heat detectors
Signals: System Sensor SpectrAlert Classics and one SR in a bathroom

Calvary Baptist Church
Panel: EST3X
Pulls: SIGA-278s
Detectors: SIGA2-PSes
Signals: Genesis speaker/strobes and one 10-inch bell (Likely an Edwards NB10-24) (Located in the basement)

St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church
Panel: Simplex Panel (Likely a 4006, 4008, or 4010)
Pulls: 2099-9756s
Detectors: 4098-9601 Conventional TrueAlarms
Signals: TrueAlerts

Bayside Chapel
Panel: Unknown (Likely 2 systems)
Pulls: Chevrons and 270-SPOs
Detectors: System Sesnor I3s (In one section)
Signals: Siemens UMMTs and System Sensor P2Rs (Both in their own sections)