I’ll advise CES on that…
I think the false alarm problems are because the whole front cover of the pull station slides down when it’s activated, so any force pushing down on the front of the pull will activate it.
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Yes, that is exactly the problem. It’s good because anyone can activate it easily with any part of their body, even if they don’t have hands. At the same time it’s also bad because anyone can activate it easily with any part of their body, even if they don’t have hands.
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12/16/2025:
Sorry! No photos this week… The Expo Center project is being paused until the Student Services Building is finished… Although, they might end up having to continue on the Expo Center in January because of the current job.
And yes, I have already saved some components, mainly the panel, booster panels, some smokes, some keys, and the battery cabinet, off the student services building system already as they are swapping components out rather than the usual replacement procedure.
Why did they start a new job without finishing the existing one? Was something majorly wrong with the EST3 system?
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Wait a minute, Siemens’s ACEND Series originated in China?
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So the new system is a Siemens Desigo? What about a Fire-Finder XLS?
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I don’t know about that but it’s made in China at least (what a surprise I guess, though I am surprised that a German company like Siemens would do what most American ones are: one would think the former would be better than the latter in that regard).
The Desigo is supposedly just a newer rendition of the Firefinder XLS.
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Desigo and Cerberus PRO are Siemens’ two “daughter brands” that sell fire alarm equipment. The Desigo brand is sold directly through Siemens and is more proprietary, while the Cerberus PRO brand is sold through distributors and is less proprietary. They are exactly the same products, but with slightly different software. It’s kind of like JCI’s Simplex and Autocall brands, but they both use the same addressable devices. In my area, I’ve almost exclusively seen the less proprietary Cerberus PRO systems that are sold through distributors, except at a chain of Clinics and Hospitals that partners with Siemens Desigo for almost all of their fire alarm needs.
The updated version of the FireFinder-XLS is the Modular panel. It’s often referred to as a Desigo Modular or a Cerberus PRO Modular.
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No. In fact, surprisingly enough (knowing EST), the system had no troubles or faults on it whatsoever when it was removed; this is just a routine “10-year rule” replacement.
Long story short, their plan to get the system replaced involves swapping every component out for a new one, including the panel which I now own. They switched operations over to the Student Services Building because the building is practically empty during this time, other than the staff personnel. It needed to be done before WSCC shut down for the holidays.
Of course, I get every single component off the “old” system.
I’m sorry… WHAT??? A “ten-year rule” on replacing systems??? And replacing each component of the system every time??? That seems like the biggest waste of money and resources of all time. Most modern systems should be able to last at least around 15 years before becoming obsolete, and even then they don’t necessarily need to be immediately replaced. I can see in the Expo Center, where it is an old and outdated system, but that system was a modern voice evac system, and the EST3 won’t be fully abandoned by Edwards until next year. I know the community colleges near me are running on Simplex and Siemens systems. Those buildings’ panels have been upgraded recently, but almost all of them are running devices from at least 15-20 years ago at the newest, and it’s not like they are dumpy colleges with no money or something. The buildings are actually pretty nice.
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My college has nice buildings too, and I thought it was 10 years for commercial devices. Probably just smoke alarms then.
The real reason why they’re replacing it is because of the scarcity of EST technicians around here. In fact, CES Morristown TN, is a lot closer than Building Systems Technology in Sevierville, which is the only EST technicians around, and they’re hard to work with according to the head honcho of the maintenance department. They find CES, who are Siemens technicians, more easier to work with than Building Systems Technology.
Correct, though they do not use the same devices. Cerberus pro panels use the product line with devices like the OP921. On the other hand, desigo panels use devices such as the FDO-421. they are different and incompatible (UL wise) like autocall and simplex devices. Also for other people who dont know much about siemens, their modular panels no matter if its an XLS, Desigo modular, or Cerberus pro modular, they all have a colour display.
There is no requirment for replacement for commercial devices, even 12v residential smoke detectors that are directly connected to the security system dont need replacement every 10 years. Only smoke alarms are. Though commercial manufactures might say the life span is for example 15 years, its more of a suggestion than a requirement (unless its a CO sensor (even commercial co detectors need replacement after an amount of years)) unlike residential alarm manufacturers that require replacement after 10 years. The only time a commercial head has to be replaced is if it fails annual testing or is damaged.
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wait a minute.. Holes?? CINEMATIC ERROR, TOO MANY HOLES PLEASE SEE MANUEL!!
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Let us know what you find there on the 21st! (like the EVAX)
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I never said I have found an EVAX they’re replacing. But I will be making an unboxing video on the stuff, @Matthew_Kight and some other people will be guests in that video. It will be like @kyledamato’s “Unboxing Fire Alarm Parts from a Demoed System” series.
As for an EVAX, I meant if they were to ever get to one.
I meant the one they are removing, you said so, right?
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I’d imagine they will eventually because of the era of select systems being serviced by Consolidated (pre-2010s). I think there might be some EVAX panels somewhere in East Tennessee of such era.
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