Shipping Delays Expected Once Again
As a fire alarm part supplier, one of the biggest challenges we faced last year due to COVID and Winter weather was a significant delay in shipping. Fire alarm part manufacturers and their shippers are already warning of a fulfillment
Kidde Recalls Over 200,000 Smoke/CO Detectors
Many recalled units will have the TruSense logo or "AMBER=FAULT" printed on the front, according to Kidde's website. BIG RECALL NEWS!! Kidde is recalling about 226,000 smoke alarms and combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms over concerns that they can fail
COVID-19 Impact on the Fire Safety Business Continues into 2021
This stop-start cycle impacted the industry throughout the supply chain. A manufacturing backlog built up that even today has not caught up with demand. The impact of COVID-19 has spared no business, family, or person. Since it first showed up
13 Tips for Manufacturing Employees Restarting Work
As standard operations and the pace of production starts to revert to normal, both employers and employees must consider the possibility of physical deconditioning. Manufacturing jobs are often physically demanding. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many employees with “non-essential” jobs spent
Siemens FP-11 prices increase as supply dwindles
There is NO replacement detector for the FP-11 The end of an era is upon us. The MXL fire safety system is officially being discontinued as of May 29, 2020. While final FP-11 smoke detector orders were taken in December
COVID-19 Impacts Fire Alarm Manufacturers
In early April, we received notification that major fire alarm manufacturers who build and assemble their products in Mexico have been shut down by the government due to COVID-19 exposure in their production plants. Out of an abundance of caution
Rude Awakening: Low-Frequency Sounders
Back then, it was common to use bells to signal an alarm. As technology changed, it was found that the bells emitted too much electrical noise back into the system and it caused problems with transistors and integrated circuits. For years,
UL 217 & 268 New Smoke Detector Standards Extended to 2021: But does this matter?
On December 5th, 2019, UL decided to extend the UL 217 & 268 smoke detector standards compliance date from May 2020 until June 2021. Read what this means to you, your fire safety system, and your bottom line. On December 5th,
MXL Migration: Can you afford to wait?
Given this timetable, Siemens has already begun to push their MXL migration strategy - but is doing a partial or full retrofit of your MXL fire safety system a must? In case you haven’t heard, Siemens has discontinued their beloved MXL
UL 2020 Compliant: Who’s ready and whose not?
With the new UL 2020 standards less then a year away, which manufactures have new UL compliant smoke detectors on the market and who doesn't? With releasing the new UL 2020 standards, UL announced the most significant changes to smoke detector
Options for fire systems in old buildings
A prime concern for facility managers is the maintenance and upgrade of their fire safety systems. Here are things to keep in mind as you make the decision to maintain or upgrade your system. The 1980's saw a significant expansion of
Honeywell Recalls First UL 2020 Compliant Smoke Detectors
Honeywell recalls first UL 2020 compliant smoke detectors. What does this mean for the future of UL 2020 standards? On June 19th 2019, Honeywell, the parent company to fire brands such as NOTIFIER, Honeywell Gamewell-FCI, Honeywell Farenhyt, Honeywell Silent Knight
What to do with old fire alarm system
What are my options if I have an old fire alarm system? What are the costs? What if I have a really old fire alarm system? What are my options? You probably have multiple options. The first step is to bring
Edwards Explains UL 2020 Compliment Optical Smoke Detector
In response to the new UL 2020 standards, Edwards announces new optical smoke detector. New detector can determine if the smoke is from a real fire or a nuance source. [embed]https://youtu.be/_fx8Z76HDrU[/embed] [pld_post_list]
New Kidde Smoke Alarms Save More Lives
The Kidde alarms with TruSense sensors can differentiate between threatening fast-flaming or smoldering fires and some of the most common home nuisance alarms. Residential smoke alarms are reaching new, advanced levels of detection and discrimination, and are being designed to help
New Smoke Detectors vs. Used Smoke Detectors: What’s best?
So, even a 10 year NEW never been used smoke detector still in the box are in our view is new. With the upcoming new UL smoke alarm and detector standards (UL 217 and UL 268 7th Edition) taking affect in
How smoke alarms became installed in nearly 100% of US homes
While smoke alarms are installed in almost 100% of homes, approximately 30% of alarms don't work due to aging, removal of batteries, or failure of the homeowner to replace dead batteries. In 1915, people living in homes or apartments could expect
Simplex 4098-9714: Beginning of the end?
However, given the new UL 2020 smoke detector standards (UL 217/UL 268) is this the beginning of the end for Simplex 4098-9714? In the fire alarm world, one of the most well known and installed smoke detectors is the Simplex 4098-9714
Protect Tenants with These Fire Prevention Tips
One of the biggest fire prevention steps is to ensure smoke detectors are installed and working properly. A helpful reminder for tenants on the common apartment fires and how to prevent them. This covers prevention tips ranging from installing and checking
States are starting to follow the new UL 2020 standards by passing their own fire safety bills
These safety standards more specifically address what type of smoke detector can be near cooking appliances. With the new UL 2020 standards coming, states are now also passing fire safety bills to address nuisance smoke detector alarms. These safety standards more
Simplex 4098-9701: Confessions from a discontinued product
Even though the Simplex 4098-9701 addressable smoke detector hasn't been manufactured for over 20 years, it's still one of our best selling Simplex smoke detector heads. Read what lessons we've learned on what happens to supply and price when a
Hochiki Announcing Significant Product Changes Due To new 2020 UL Standards
Hochiki announces major product changes including the end of life of all single sensor technology products. UL 2020 standards hit again. This time Hochiki announces major product changes including the end of life of all single sensor technology products. They will
New UL standards and codes are coming: Are you ready?
A good article on how to prepare your current system for these drastic changes. Another reminder that new UL codes, testing standards, and products are coming by May of 2020. Read Full Blog [pld_post_list]
Critical fire safety steps for your family!
It’s also helpful to put extra smoke detectors in all bedrooms so the alarm is at its loudest.A new study shows that 80% of kids 2-14 years old won’t wake up due to a fire alarm in the home. To
How to survive the end of Siemens FP-11 production
However, as of May 29, 2020 Siemens has announced that the FP-11 will no longer be produced. A significant problem with smoke detectors is their potential for false alarms and associated fire departments fines. For more than 15 years, the
Learn which fire alarms save more lives
The less expensive detectors utilize ionization technology leaving you less time to escape. Smoke alarms detect fires in different ways. These varying approaches impact when you’re alerted and the amount of time you have to reach safety. The less expensive detectors
Edwards smoke detector, first to meet the UL 2020 fire safety standards
There’s no going back now. Make sure to have your transition plan in place and stock up on any parts you might need before they are discontinued by the manufacturer. Edwards new multi-criteria smoke detector is the first to meet the