Hey guys. So my church has this Simplex 4251-20 pull station in the basement. Only Simplex pull in the system. Rest is Faraday and EST. This was probably a replacement pull installed in the 80’s or something.
Anyway, you will notice that the key lock is down, meaning the pull is open. I didn’t catch it in the pics very well, but the pull is open and you can see the back. There is a gap between the actual cover and the switch.
This concerns me. First of all, the pull can easily been touched, flip down, and set off the system. Second, before these pic were taken, this pull was flush. They added a visible back box and conduit, and still, it is open, which leads me to believe the church doesn’t even a have key for it. I wouldn’t be surprised though, considering only one other pull on the system (a Notifer NBG-12L) has a key lock. All the rest of the pulls are allen wrench locks.
I wanted to simulate this with my own 4251-20. I can’t even keep it level without the cover flapping down. Just unlocked and slightly tilted up, the switch is still released. So I don’t even know how this thing can be like that without setting off the system, unless it’s not even wired in. I asked the head of maintenance here about it, but also threw in another question, so the this question was forgotten. What do you guys think, is this pull station a ticking time bomb, or completely nothing to worry about?
I was going to say that it was the plate/adapter that was sticking out. Although this is true, the pull does look a little open. The button is spring loaded, so it would easily knock the cover down. Maybe they taped it? idk
I guess it depends also on the amount of traffic the basement at your church gets on a normal day. Chances are it’ll be fine, especially if it’s been unlocked like that for awhile.
I can’t believe your church would be that stupid to do that. Although, they probably thought that when somebody pulls the handle, is pushes the button. So, I can see how they wouldn’t really care. You should explain it to them, or give them a key (if you have a spare one). That’s what I would do. you should tell them to at least tape it or something. If it has still gone all of this time, like Nathan said, it may not be much to worry about.
Wow, first the restroom, then the alarms. What else is next? Could they not find the activated detector/pull station/etc?
Hopefully they will lock the pull station as soon as you give it to them, if you find it. I wonder, did the electrician who installed it just leave the station unlocked? Did the church have a key, then decided to just leave it unlocked? It’s odd.
They should at least remove the detector, and cap off the IDC or SLC wires. So that way, the detector won’t keep going into alarm. Is it addressable? If so, they might not have to pass code to remove the device. A trouble is better than a control panel in alarm, that will not notify building occupants, and the dispatcher, of a potential fire.
Was there a fire? It seems like your school is under-budgeted.
Oh, so they might not have the pass code to remove the addressable device. Although, a trouble is still better than a system with no working NA’s. They probably don’t know enough about fie alarms, or are just to careless to cap off the wires.
