So in 2017, 2 old elementary schools in my town that have been long-abandoned will be demolished to make way for a residential development. Because one of these schools was built in the 1920’s and the other in the 1950’s, I’m sure they both have interesting fire alarm systems. So I will be contacting the village government to see if I can salvage any of the fire alarm parts myself (or have someone go in there and do it for me). The only problem is there is asbestos in both buildings and since they have been closed since the 1990’s, I’m not sure if any of the parts would work anymore, because of the weathering the buildings have likely undergone since then and the fact that stuff might have been vandalized or stolen. Nevertheless, I’m going to try and get some parts if I can, and I’ll be sure to update in the future if anything happens. I just hope there’s some “hidden gems” or something in those buildings that I can get before they’re finally torn down. It would certainly be interesting to get the panel, too.
Oh, and if anyone has done this before to get alarms, I’d certainly be interested in some advice as how to go about this…
This is also not definite, as I could be declined and get nothing.
Where I live, all of our school buildings were built by or before 1969, although most of them have had their systems overhauled with the passing of a 2013 bond issue. I know of at least couple of buildings that still have their original National Time systems from the late 1960s.
As far as trying to save the devices during the demolition process, the worst a village government or demolition contractor could tell you is “no”. Local, state, and even federal laws may apply depending on your jurisdiction. Chances are, if you put together a well-researched, persuasive message to whomever you’re going to contact, you’ll have better chances of getting to acquire these systems and their components for keeps. Asbestos, of course, is a major health issue, and all the school buildings I know of–standing or razed–have had asbestos abatement performed because of their ages.
Regarding the functionality of the old devices, the countless videos uploaded to video-sharing services showing these devices in action is a pretty good indicator they were built to last a very long time. Outside of that, depending on the condition of both schools you’re talking about, and whether those buildings have been continuously exposed to break-ins/vandalism, you still might get lucky to see most of the devices left intact. I do wish you luck in getting those vintage parts, though.
If the building is city-owned and demolition has not begun, contact the mayor by email and CC their executive assistant (they will nearly always be the one to respond). Be very clear about your intentions and why you wish to enter the building. It usually helps if you include a “historic preservation” aspect in the summary of your goals. Here’s an excerpt from the last email like this I sent 3 weeks ago.
I then go on to explain that the facility in question could be considered historically significant, and that I would appreciate the opportunity to help preserve some of the equipment and signage. Many times the kicker for me is that, if truly a significant building, I offer to donate signage back to the city or to their historical society. It certainly helps in your case that the 1920s and 1950s school buildings could fit the description of historically significant.
If the building is privately owned or preparations for demolition have begun, contact the demolition contractor directly. They will usually have a sign out front advertising the structure as one of their job sites. Or, you can check the City/Village Council website (if applicable) to see which firm the bid was awarded to, or in the case of a privately owned building, who pulled the demolition permit.
I’ve used both methods and have had success. As a side note, if you aren’t 18 yet, you may be at a disadvantage as many times you will be asked to sign a liability waiver as well as an NDA.
I’m going to put in here as a disclaimer that my salvage activities have always been lawful. In addition, this should go without saying, but please do not harass city officials or demolition workers for these parts based on my advice. Asking once is enough. If they say ‘yes’, great! Otherwise, just move on.
If you are concerned with asbestos, a P100/HEPA respirator offers adequate protection. If you suspect the facility has large amounts of friable asbestos fibers (ex. pipe insulation, damaged ceiling tiles) these filters are in your best interest if you will be entering the building. Encapsulated asbestos (wallboard, cement, corrugated siding) are not immediately dangerous unless disturbed.
A respirator is likely not necessary if you expect this to be a one-shot deal. If that’s the case, a disposable dust mask will suffice. Your exposure will be low, however there is never a “safe” level of exposure. It’s up to you to weigh the risks.