My family always goes somewhere for Boxing Day, and I was considering bugging my dad into taking me to Winnipeg to look for fire alarms. Before I do this, are there any good places to look for fire alarm parts in general? Would alarm companies or Habitat For Humanity Refit stores be good places to look?
Depending on your location, Habitat For Humanity can be a hit or miss. Some have a wide variety of equipment and some don’t, but if the Resale Store is located near the center of Winnipeg you probably will find something. I myself, managed to pick up a door holder and an outdoor-rated emergency light from a HFH in Richmond VA, under $7, a few years back but I did have to look extensively, since not everything is together and parts could have been moved around a lot. Good luck. 
I guess you can find a fire alarm there if you look at just the right time. Once, I stumbled upon an exit sign that was there. I have yet to see a fire alarm there.
Forget thrift stores.
Compile a list of local alarm companies. Have your dad give them a call and explain you are a collector. See what they can offer you.
Look for “supply houses” or “stock houses” use the internet to google things like “electricial supply” “fire alarm suply” you will be paying more but for a basic pull station or notification device it wont be to expensive.
Thrift stores, or even try antique stores. I found a Wheelock MIZ in a thrift store, and i did get one of my older adaptabels from an antique store.
A good place to also try, like MrNerd said, is alarm companies. Or try buildings that are getting their alarm system replaced, because most of the alarms from previous systems just get discarded.
Habitat For Humanity, better known as ReStore is a great place! Ive often found used and some times new security equipment.
They get there stuff from buildings/homes that are getting torn down. They sell everything pretty cheap. I got a Lithonia Lighting Exit sign with battery backup (included the batt) for $5. I also picked up a Cisco 7930 IP Phone for $5.
So to answer your question, by going there to look its a 50/50 chance. But you never know!
I’d agree on the alarm company suggestions. Although I haven’t yet gone to one and asked, I plan on it someday. I remember when we were on Catalina Island in California seeing an alarm dealer’s storefront. It never seemed to be open/staffed, but I did see a Wheelock NACALERT box on the shelf. They looked like this, and this is the side I could see.
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