Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Is it time to Retire Fire Bells after incident at Apartment building

I have not installed a bell on a fire system since 1986 but prior to that time horns where rarely used. When I went to schools in 60-70's bells sounded for class change and pulsing bells  for fire drills but not any more almost all fire systems installed since late 80's now have horns  and strobes.

So is it any wonder then when a local only fire alarm system falsed at an apartment building and younger tenants ignored it till an older resident heard it and called 911.

Younger people have almost always heard horns for fire alarms not bells the only time you see bells being used any more is Sprinkler flow alarms when a fire system is not being used and for door bells and elevator emergency's  and horns mostly use  code 3 ANSI  tone pattern to get attention for it over other noise makers as well.  maybe it is time to retire the bell. I will be doing this at the apartment buildings in this complex especially after many people say they never heard the bells with all the AC units running.  I will be updating an old Faraday AC system and putting in horns as well this coming week at an office building as I upgrade the system.

Maybe it is time for the bell to go away and maybe this to could be why so many people ignore railroad crossing because of bells as well maybe its time horns and tones are standard fair.because I young people do not understand.

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