Well don’t forget too that Simplex has retrofit equipment to tie Autocall (which was a Grinnell brand system) equipment into their panels.
Patrick
Tonight my family and I went to a Halloween party at the Knights of Columbus in Pembroke, MA. They had a rather interesting fire alarm system there. It was some kind of Protectowire fire alarm panel (probably an SRP4x4), and next to it was a Notifier voice-evac panel and there was also a Silent Knight power supply of some sort. The alarms were mostly the older SpectrAlert speaker/strobes. This is the first place I’ve seen them up close, and they look HUGE. I don’t really like their design as much as the Advance version. Aside from that, the pull stations were metal Sigcom dual-action T-bars rebranded by Protectowire, and they also had Hochiki smoke detectors.
HOWEVER, in a bar area, there was an upside-down mounted Space Age 2DCD horn behind an AV32 light plate! (I think it may have had the “FIRE” letterings on the side, but I am not sure.) I am not sure if it was still connected, as the building now had a voice-evac system. (I couldn’t see any remains over where old devices were, so there must’ve been a renovation of some sort.) The old system was probably a Notifier, FCI or Gamewell setup of some sort, as the building was built some time in the 1980s.
Tonight my family and I went to a party at a church. It was built in 2002, so it had a pretty modern system. The panel was an Edwards 6616, Edwards 270-SPOs as pulls, Edwards Integriety Horns as the NA, and Edwards heats all around. I didn’t see a smoke detector anywhere, just heats.
Yesterday, while I was walking near the Rutgers Student Center on College Avenue, I heard a Simplex 4100U-type slow whoop in the distance. The only building on the College Ave. Campus that has a 4100U with voice evac is the Brower Commons dining hall, but the alarm wasn’t going off there. The high-rise dorms on that campus have older panels that would have emitted the older-style slow whoop.
I figured that it might be coming from the football stadium, about a mile and a half away across the river. When they expanded the stadium recently, they installed a new system with Simplex “megaphone” speakers and weatherproof RSS’s in the public areas. Sure enough, I drove by the stadium, and the strobes were flashing (the speakers were silenced by that point). I can only guess they were doing testing, since there were no fire trucks or anything. Amazing that the sound resonates from that far away, creating an air raid siren-like effect. I could only imagine what it would sound like from inside the stadium.
A mall near me (Clifton Park Center) was transformed within recent years from a totally enclosed mall to a strip mall-style layout (about 1/2 the mall remains as an enclosed mall and will remain that way). The origional alarm system consisted of 10" bells and http://www.dan.calvinet.com/assets/images/ADT_5050-001_1.JPG ADT 5050-001 pull stations. Once Boscov’s was built in the early 2000s, they installed an EST 2 system with ceiling-mount SpectrAlert horn/strobes (some wall-mounts in some areas) and EST classic pulls. A little whle after the installation at Boscov’s, the system was expanded to include the mall and as a result, the mall also got ceiling-mount SpectrAlert horn/strobes. The movie theatre, strangely enough, already had wall-mount SpectrAlerts installed w/ the ADT pulls.
Anywho, once the mall layout was changed, for some reason they replaced red SpectrAlert horn/strobes with white ones (the red ones in Boscov’s remain) and the mall was upgraded to a Spectronics system (unknown model) w/ BG-8 pulls. JCPenney which previously had no alarm system, now has an addressable ADT system with addressable ADT BG-12s and white SpectrAlert Advanced ceiling-mount horn/strobes (wall mount models in the dressing room areas). On the other side of the parking lot, there’s another set of stores/restaraunts. The Chipotle store has red wall-mount SpectrAlert Advanced horn/strobes, Fire-Lite BG-12 pulls (non-addressable) and System Sensor i3 smokes (also non-addressable). What’s odd is that they also have what looks to be a beam detector covering the same area as the regular smokes, but for all I know, it could be a device for something else. The Pasta Factory is another store that’s similiar to Chipotle with the Advances, i3s, and BG-12s, but on one side of the restaraunt there’s a ceiling-mount classic SpectrAlert horn/strobe. Hopefully those are wired to a sync module, if not, I wouldn’t want to be in there when those go off. They also have an i3 in the kitchen area close to the grille, but they have this huge ventilator fan that sucks up all the smoke and steam, so it never reaches the detector.
That’s all I know of for now. The mall is currently building a 5-story Hilton hotel complete with an Olive Garden restaraunt that’ll be ready in a couple of years, so that’ll be interesting to see what they have there. Also, if the described layout of the mall has confused you, here’s the mall directory:
Meaning to post this but I’ve noticed several JCP’s getting FA systems, basically like the ones Dan mentions here. The http://www.weberstown.com/ Weberstown Mall in Stockton has one now, as does the JCP at http://www.mallatfairfieldcommons.com/ The Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek, OH. You’ve seen my pics of this mall’s alarms in my previous Ohio vacation posts.
More I’ve been neglecting to post from my OH trip:
IKEA, Cincy area:
Siemens system, Siemens relabled ceiling mount white ZNSs and ZRSs, red wall mount units near restroom area.
FP-11 FirePrint™ Detectors (or PE-11 conventional detectors, didn’t see a panel).
Buyback$, Beavercreek (http://www.yourbuybacks.com/ Buyback$ is a store that sells used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, games and systems.) This store inhabited a previous store’s space.
Pyrotronics Building technology - Siemens Global SXL panel (basically the conventional version of the MXL)
Wheelock MT-24-LSM-VFRs on the ceiling and wall.
Here’s something you don’t see every day: a pre-ADA System Sensor MASS-type remote strobe:
This was in a bathroom at a Walgreen’s in Connecticut. The signals in the main part of the store were Gentex GMS, GOS, or SHG’s (not sure which). Curious that they would have ADA-compliant horn/strobes but a non-ADA strobe. Maybe there were originally MASS’s in the main store but they were ultimately replaced, while the strobe in the bathroom was left untouched.
My cousins former apartment building got a FA upgrade. My friend also lives there as well, so thats how I know. Anyhoo, the panel is still the Mircom FA 1000, The pulls 270-SPOs, and the alarms changed from Edwards 10" bells to Spectralert Advances! This is the very first time I had ever seen one of them. They are the horn only versions.
I was at the VFW hall again in Whitman, MA for my brother’s annual basketball league Christmas party. I actually found out a little more about the system there…
As you might recall, the building mostly has Wheelock 34 horns behind SAE AV32 light plates (one of them is installed upside-down too!) and thoe old Notifier BNG-1TSL pull stations. The hall area has System Sensor i3 smoke detectors, but other areas have older Adaemco smoke detectors, and the restrooms have Chemtronics 400-series heat sensors (presumable rebranded by Notifier), and outside there is a Wheelock RSS weatherproof strobe. However, tonight I actually found the fire alarm panel for the system! It was located behind a curtain in the coat room. The panel is a Fire-Lite MS-9200 addressable system! Next to it was what appeared to be the original FACP cabinet (it had a Notifier logo on it) used as a junction box. I was really surprised they went with this kind of panel! I was actually expecting there to be a newer Notifier panel instead, but then again, both Fire-Lite and Notifier are owned by Honeywell, so it sort of makes sense…
And besides that, they recently repainted the ceiling in a couple of areas, and in the process they PAINTED OVER THE SMOKE DETECTORS THERE! They didn’t paint over their heat sensors or LEDs, but it’s still not a great idea (they clearly said “DO NOT PAINT” on them!) They also removed a Chemtronics 500-series heat sensor and didn’t bother to replace it! I hope they at least put a new smoke detector there or something…
Today my drama club at Massasoit College went over to the Baker Elementary School up the street to perform our interpenetration of “The Shoemaker and the Elves” for the young kids. It was lots of fun, and was the first time I got to be inside one of the new elementary schools built in my city in 2008!
The building has an EST-3 voice-evacuation system. I saw the panel in the main office, but it was displaying a “TROUBLE” condition and the “DISABLE” light was on. The secretary told me that tomorrow the alarm company will work on it (presumably after school lets out). There is also an EST-3 remote annunciator in the main entrance, with an SAE graphic annunciator installed next to it.
The main alarms are EST Genesis speaker/strobes, the red version. Outside they have EST Integrity speaker/strobes. The pull stations are dual-action EST SIGA-278s, and the smoke detectors are the EST SIGA-PS models.
MBT Expo Center (Monroe, MI)
Pulls: Notifier-branded BG-12LX
Alarms: System Sensor Spectralert (classic) speaker/strobes
Annucatior/panel: Unknown Notifier model
Corsi’s Banquet Hall (Livonia, MI)
All I could find inside are System Sensor i3 photoelectric detectors.
AMC Livonia 20 (Livonia, MI)
Alarms: Simplex 4904-9136 strobes
Pulls: Simplex 2099-9754 or Simplex 4099-9003 pull stations
There are no noticeable horn/strobes, so this is likely a speaker system.
United States Postal Service - Greenmead Station
Alarms: Wheelock 7002-T’s
Pulls: National Time 641’s (identical to what NewAgeServer has)
Boise (Livonia, MI)
Alarms: All I could find inside is a red 10" bell (don’t remember the manufacturer).
Livonia Fire & Rescue - Station 3 (Livonia, MI)
There are several System Sensor Spectralerts (classic) scattered throughout the building, especially in the apparatus bay, so they are likely used as signals for fire calls.
Kmart (Livonia, MI)
In the back of the store, is what appears to be a Federal Signal horn of some sort near a stockroom door.
Webster Elementary School #2 (formerly Tyler Elementary School, Livonia, MI)
Alarms: National Time-branded Faraday horn/strobes and strobes
Pulls: National Time 641’s
Toys “R” Us (Livonia, MI)
Outside an office at the front of the store, is a red 6" bell (unknown manufacturer).
Laurel Park Place (Livonia, MI)
(Parisian)
Alarms: Simplex 2901-9838 on 4903-9101 plates (vertical-mounted)
(Mall Concourse)
Alarms: A mix of Wheelock 7002-T’s (on flush-mount plates), National Time horn/strobes, outside one store, I have seen a Wheelock AS; and the California Pizza Kitchen has EST Genesis horn/strobes with 270-SPO pull stations and an EST panel, just to name some of the alarms in the mall.
(Office Tower Attachment)
Alarms: Unknown Simplex horns (on 2903 light or non-ADA strobe plates with trim)
Pulls: Simplex 4251-20’s
(Phoenix Theatres Attachment)
It has been about 2-3 years since I have been inside the theatre, and from what I can recall, there was a National Time 641 pull and ceiling-mounted Wheelock ET speakers, back when this used to be an AMC-operated theatre.
Mission Health Medical Center (Livonia, MI)
The only fire alarm I can remember there is a System Sensor MASS1215ADA on a backplate, and what I believe was a BG-12. It is likely a voice-evacuation system, as there are multiple floors in the building.
Busch’s (Livonia, MI)
I can remember seeing a ceiling-mounted AS or NS horn/strobe, and there is also a Wheelock 10" bell outside an office at the front of the store.
CVS/pharmacy (5 Mile Road and Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI)
The pull stations are BG-12’s, and the alarms are Spectralert Advances.
Lefty’s Grill (Livonia, MI)
In the kitchen area, there is a Wheelock MT4 or EH horn/strobe.
Livonia Senior Center (Livonia, MI)
The main entrance has some sort of National Time annuciator/panel (it was small). The pull stations are National Time dual-action pulls, and the alarms are National Time-branded Gentex Commander horn/strobes and strobes.
Livonia Civic Center Library (Livonia, MI)
The pulls are National Time 641’s, and I remember the alarms being ceiling-mounted Wheelock E-9025-WS-24 speaker/strobes.
Livonia Community Recreation Center (Livonia, MI)
The pulls are Pyrotronics MS-51’s or MS-501’s, and the alarms are Pyrotronics-branded Siemens S-HP-MCS speaker/strobes.
Kroger (5 Mile Road, Livonia, MI)
All I can remember seeing is a Wheelock AS somewhere, and the pull stations are Gamewell “Full-moon” pulls.
Deals (Livonia, MI)
I can remember seeing a silver 2" bell somewhere in the store.
Dollar Tree (5 Mile Road and Merriman Road, Livonia, MI)
I can remember the alarms being ceiling-mounted Spectralerts, and there is what appears to be an Edwards 6" Adaptabel above a stockroom door.
Costco (Middlebelt Road and Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI)
Way up high on a support pillar, is what appears to be either a Wheelock MT or Integrity horn. There is also an Edwards dual-action pull in the customer service area. In addition, in the service station part of the property, outside an office, there is an Edwards Adaptahorn which sounds whenever the gas is shut off.
Famous Footwear (Livonia, MI)
Inside the store, I can recall seeing a white Spectralert (2nd-generation).
Westland Mall (Westland, MI)
Main Concourse: The alarms were either Simplex 4904-9501 strobes or Edwards 202-8A-001 strobes. On the ceiling, are what appear to be gray and strobeless Edwards Integrities. Also, at the entrance where I came in, there is a Wheelock MT4 horn/strobe.
The Costco I go to has an EST system (I believe the panels are made by EST, but they could also be Gamewell). There is a 270-SPO next to the panel. The rest of the pulls are all Gamewell Centuries. The alarms are mostly Wheelock 7002ts, but there is also an MT-LSM in the liquor area.
Where I live, my Costco (which was built last year) has a Fire-Lite MS-9200UDLS Panel (it has a Stanley - like the tool company - sticker on it…I never knew that they monitored fire alarm systems) and has in the front area (where all the shopping carts are and the place where you go before you get your membership checked) white Gentex Commander 3’s and I’m pretty sure that the rest of the fire alarms are ceiling mount Gentex Commander 4’s (white) - or maybe they’re Microm SH/SL Series Horns/Strobes…I’ll have to double-check that. The “critical” and “not-critical” alarms for the big refrigerator and butcher rooms appear to be Microm Select-a-Horn/Strobe or whatever with blue strobes. For anyone with a newer Costco in your area, does this sustem compare?
Also, at a Lowes in the same complex, there are Wheelock ASs and I think I saw a Bosch fire keypad near the front of the store but I could be thinking of another one. I’m not too certain as to what the Khols in that complex has although I think that I recall seeing a SpecterAlert Advance outside of it. When I find out for sure what it is, I’ll post it.
Barnes & Noble (Northville Township, MI)
Pulls: Honeywell S464A pull stations.
Alarms: Gentex GX-90 horn/strobes.
Kroger (Northville Township, MI)
Pulls: Bosch dual-action pull stations.
Alarms: These are rather rare to find nowadays; first-generation Spectralert classics!
Bed Bath & Beyond (Northville Township, MI)
Pulls: National Time 641 pull stations.
Alarms: National Time branded Faraday horn/strobes.
I can also remember seeing a National Time branded test station under one of the alarms, and what was either a National Time annuciator or panel at the main entrance.
Former Loehmann’s (Northville Township, MI)
Looking through the windows of this now-defunct store, there is a Gentex Commander on one of the support pillars inside.
PetSmart (Northville Township, MI)
All I can remember seeing inside the store was a System Sensor MASS horn/strobe outside the grooming salon.
P.F. Chang’s (Northville Township, MI)
Alarms: System Sensor Spectralert horn/strobes (2nd generation).
Pulls: I believe they were BG-12 pull stations.
The restaurant is an outlot building that is part of a shopping center with BG-12 pull stations in each tenant and System Sensor Spectralert horn/strobes (2nd generation). In the back of these tenants, are what appear to be some sort of Fire-Lite panel.
Costick Community Center (formerly Mt. Caramel Mercy Hospital, Farmington Hills, MI)
Alarms (original system):
Edwards 360-L horns throughout the building; they are flush mount inside, but outside, are a couple of 360-L horns that are not flush-mount.
Alarms (new system):
- Ceiling-mounted Edwards Genesis horn/strobes that are white.
- The gymnasium has Edwards Genesis horn/strobes in red.
Pulls:
Edwards 270-SPO pull stations carried over from the original system.
Panel:
An EST3 panel in the lobby.
United Food and Commercial Workers Hall (Madison Heights, MI)
Alarms:
System Sensor Spectralerts (2nd generation) throughout.
Pulls:
I believe they were BG-10 pull stations.
Jewish Community Center (formerly Hillel School, Oak Park, MI)
Alarms:
-
There are two National Time branded Faraday horn/strobes (flush mount); one inside the gymnasium, and one in the lobby.
-
What appeared to be Standard 30A horns in most areas; with one of them having a National Time 6" bell in red next to it (likely used for class change).
-
The pool area has two Gentex GMS or SHG horn/strobes.
Pulls:
-
National Time 641 pull stations in some areas (main entrance, for example)
-
Those ancient break-glass stations (unknown manufacturer).