I went back to my university’s library for the first time since the pandemic forced its closure in March and noticed that its Cerberus Pyrotronics MXL system is being upgraded to an EST3. I thought I’d share the history of this building’s system as it’s one of my favourite setups. I’ve included a few photos of devices from the current system (MXL) below.
The library opened in 1972 and originally had a Simplex 4208 multiplex panel (pictured below), which remains in place despite its fire alarm portion no longer being in use. The signals were 4040 horns, one of which remains intact in a computer lab, and the pull stations were first-generation 4251-20s with bilingual lettering. At some point in the 1970s or 1980s, Fenwal smoke detectors were installed throughout the building. Newer 4251-20 and 4251-30 pull stations were also added during those years.
In 1995, the current system, a Cerberus Pyrotronics MXL, replaced the 4208. White Wheelock MIZ mini horns were installed throughout the building (signal coding is continuous). The Fenwal smoke detectors and Simplex pull stations remained in place, but DI-3 smoke detectors and Cerberus Pyrotronics-branded Notifier MPS-950B pull stations were added in certain areas.
Throughout the years, various devices were added to the building. For instance, I’ve seen a red Siemens SMH-25 mini horn, a white Mircom MH-25 mini horn, a white Siemens U-MHT mini horn, an Edwards 270-SPOB pull station, two Simplex 2099-series “break glass” pull stations (bilingual models) and a few Siemens FirePrint smoke/heat detectors. Between 2010 and 2012, the MXL’s original display was upgraded to an MKB-5; it’s quite interesting to see the newer, larger display in a cabinet featuring the older Cerberus Pyrotronics logo. Additionally, about four years ago, a few Fenwal detectors were replaced with conventional Simplex TrueAlarms.
The MXL is currently being upgraded to an EST3. While I haven’t seen the new panel, I saw a 3-LCDXL1 annunciator in a 10ANN enclosure. The new initiating devices are SIGC-270B (bilingual) pull stations and SIGA-PD smoke detectors, while the new signals are GCAVWF ceiling-mount LED horn strobes (I also saw a single G1ARF wall-mount remote horn). This is my first time seeing LED Genesis devices. The MXL is still active, although it is displaying a few troubles; similarly, the old initiating devices also remain intact for now. I find it interesting that they opted for an EST3 rather than an EST4.
With this MXL being replaced, the campus is down to only two Siemens/Cerberus Pyrotronics systems. These two remaining systems are also MXLs, and both were installed in 2002 in newly-constructed buildings. A fourth building had an MXL (also from 1995 and also replacing a 4208) which was What alarm do you have at work/school - #795 by El_Chupacabra]replaced in 2017-2018 with an EST3. These Siemens/CP systems were outliers on campus as the university has exclusively used EST and Simplex since 2002.
Photos:
The original Simplex multiplex panel; the first cabinet at the left appears to be for the fire alarm system, while the other cabinets appear to control other functions (apologies for the awful picture—I had to take it through wired glass)
One of the original 4251-20s (first-generation model with metal handle)
One of the older Fenwal smoke detectors
A Cerberus Pyrotronics remote alarm indicator from the 1995 upgrade
A “Do Not Enter” sign on the concourse level (upon entering the library from the student federation building)
