Walking down the hall all of the sudden beereeeerreeerrrrp
That would be weird. Emergency lights and exit lights do that, lol. If fire alarms did that, people would start evacuating to realize it was a self test.
No they would jump then cuss out the alarm then leave
Or violate various patent laws.
It probably works just like how conventional panels monitor their circuits - it sends a small supervision current across the horn/speaker and strobe at all times and measures resistance. If that resistance changes, it knows there’s a problem.
Chances are it will probably look the same as the other TrueAlerts. The other existing conventional TrueAlerts will probably remain the same.
Then again, I have NEVER seen addressable TrueAlert signals used; on just about every addressable Simplex system since 2001 I have seen, they have simply used the conventional TrueAlerts. This is one reason why they were able to get the TrueAlert speaker/strobes at the middle school near my house working after their 4100U panel broke and they switched to a Notifier system. (I doubt Siemens panels would be able to work with TrueAlert signals even with the proper sync modules…)
Well then that’s not “self-testing”.
That’s what the industry would call self-testing. It does as it implies.
Simplex has published datasheets for the new TrueAlerts:
Horns - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49AO-0001.PDF
Horn/Strobes - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49AV-0001.PDF
Covers - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49CV-0001.PDF
Strobes - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49VO-0001.PDF
Weatherproof Appliances - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49WP-0001.PDF
Weatherproof Appliances (ULC) - http://xtra.simplexnet.com/a_e/FA/S49WP-0002.PDF
A few notes:
- It appears that Simplex is using a new model numbering scheme. Instead of the typical “4903-” for audio-visual appliances, the new series is “49AV-”
- The new addressable TrueAlert protocol is called IDNAC (TrueAlert ES’s are compatible with legacy TrueAlert Addressable Controllers)
- The alarm and the mounting plate are now separate like the SpectrAlert Advance (the cover can still be changed)
- An electrical test point on the side allows for TrueStart testing without removing the cover
- Horns can be set to high or low volume at the device or FACP
- A new temporal code-4 coding option is now available at the panel for carbon monoxide
- Horns can be set to 20, 60, or 120BPM march time
- No ES speaker/strobes yet
Another interesting tidbit on Simplex’s website that I just found is a list of all datasheets for various discontinued products and the date they were discontinued:
They dont look much diffrent then the ones out now. do you know when we can ge one?
Why would you want one, when you don’t have a panel to make it work?
I was just asking?
Like the Wheelock Exceder.
Not exactly…
The thing on the TrueAlert is for testing the function of the device itself…
The test holes on the Exceder are for taking a reading of the supervisory current or something on the NAC without having to remove the device.
Okay, I see. I knew that the holes on the Exceder were for checking the NAC, I just didn’t know that the holes on the new TrueAlert was for actual testing. So, how exactly does someone conduct a test with that TrueAlert? What tools are used?
When the 4010 came out, the big selling point was that regular contractors could install and wire the entire system, then Simplex would program it and bring it all online. It’s the reason why new 4010’s have the “to sign up for your SimplexGrinnell monitoring, call…” sticker on the front. It’s also the reason that some of us collectors have managed to find new-in-box 4010’s on eBay (from jobs that were never completed). By giving the products to the contractor immediately following the deal and allowing them to begin ASAP, this business model put the element of time in the customer’s control and has probably been a major lynchpin to Simplex winning so many bids.
The TrueStart tool allows contractors to verify the wiring and addressing of all devices well ahead of time before Simplex comes in. This has now been brought to the TrueAlert ES. Usually, you only discover wiring faults upon power up, by which time the building may be nearing the final inspection for occupancy. No building owner wants a malfunctioning fire alarm system to be the very last item on their punchlist, effectively delaying the scheduled completion - I’ve heard of it happening. VERY shrewd move on Simplex’s part - not only does it save the customer time, but it eliminates the need for Simplex to send installers out to the job. Oh, and the tool costs approx $2000.
That happened at my high school when they decided to build a new passageway that connected an old part of the middle school into a new high school wing. The passageway had no classrooms, just restrooms and it’s the only area where you’ll find TrueAlerts. What had happened was it didn’t pass inspection due to the fire alarm system, and we had to go outside the first day or two of school because the passageway was off limits. :lol: I remember my teacher saying that a few days before school started they were testing the fire alarms like crazy, but I guess they couldn’t pinpoint the problem in time. It was a mess for the first couple of days.
They fixed the typo on the website
Did they replace all of the horns in the school or was it just that passageway that got horns?