SiraTone

SiraTone Electronic Outdoor Warning Siren

A SiraTone model EOWS*612 located in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Type	Outdoor warning siren
Inventor	Joel G. Lacono, Ronald J. Koval
Manufacturer	Federal Signal Corporation
Available	(1981–2007)
Models made	EOWS* M12, 115, Prototype 1212, 408, 612, 812, 1212

SiraTone is a defunct brand of electronic outdoor warning sirens produced by Federal Signal Corporation which began production in the early 1980s. These sirens were designed to broadcast high-intensity warning signals over a large area. SiraTone products are/were used for natural disaster notification, HAZMAT incident notification, fire call systems, and more. ^[1] The SiraTone product line is no longer in production. The product line was succeeded by the Modulator and DSA (Directional Speaker Array) electronic outdoor warning sirens. ^[2]

Products

Six models of outdoor warning sirens were produced under the SiraTone brand. Model numbers are designated by the lettering EOWS (Electronic Outdoor Warning Siren) and an asterisk, followed by a number representative of the respective siren's decibel output or speaker array setup. All models utilize re-entrant speaker horns, arrays of 100 watt speaker drivers, and produce six standard signals.

• EOWS* 115 – The first SiraTone model produced, a 1200 Watt omnidirectional siren with 12 rectangular Atlas CJ-44 speaker horns
• EOWS* 1212 – 1200 Watt omnidirectional siren, an updated version of the EOWS* 115, with 12 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns
• Prototype EOWS 1212 - 1200 Watt omnidirectional siren, Several minor differences, Uses 12 Atlas CJ44 speaker horns.
• EOWS* 408 – 800 Watt rotating siren with 4 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns.
• EOWS* 612 – 1200 Watt rotating siren with 6 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns. The 612 is the most produced model of the SiraTone series.
• EOWS* 812 – 1200 Watt rotating siren, with 8 circular University Sound DR-42 speaker horns; was discontinued and succeeded by the EOWS* 612.

There was also a mobile vehicle-mounted version, at one time, called the EOWS* M12. However, likely none were made.

An advertisement for the SiraTone EOWS* 408 and 812 sirens.

Signals

The sirens are able to produce these tones:

• Alert - A steady siren tone ^[3]
• Wail - A wailing siren tone ^[4]
• Alternating Steady - A siren tone alternating between a high and low frequency, at half-second intervals, akin to a typical European emergency vehicle siren or an Indonesian level crossing. ^[5]
• Alternating Wail - Attack tone, with high and low tones alternating at half-second intervals. ^[6]
• Pulsed Wail - Pulsating wailing tone, alternating at half-second intervals. ^[7]
• Pulsed Steady - Pulsating steady tone, at half-second intervals.
• An auxiliary tone of choice ^[8]
• Whoop - Winding up and then winding up again and again with a pulse. ^[9]
• Westminster Chimes - Chimes on the Siratone controller for tests. ^[10]

A unique feature of the SiraTone siren series was the ability to conduct routine tests with a Westminster Chime melody instead of an actual alarm tone, intended to be a more pleasant alternative to the use of actual alarm tones. This allows operators to test sirens without fear of public panic and still ensure siren speakers are fully functional. Various other signals could be added upon special request. ^[11]

Gallery

• 
  Model EOWS* 612 in Irving, Texas. It has since then been replaced.
• 
  Model EOWS* 612, in a Civil Defense yellow color. located in Battle Creek MI.
• 
  Model EOWS* 612 near a train station, has since been replaced. As of March 15th, 2024, it is now in an enthusiast's hands.

References

1. "Federal Signal SiraTone". Air Raid Sirens Wiki. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
2. "Warning and Mass Notification Outdoor Sirens and Speakers". Federal Signal. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
3. TheSirenGeek (2022-04-09). FS EOWS 612 Tornado Siren Test - Alert - Battle Creek, MI . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
4. DSRX100 (2023-12-08). Federal Signal EOWS 612 | Attack/Wail | Forest Hills, PA . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
5. mn_sirens (2024-03-07). Federal Signal EOWS-612 Siren Test - Full Hi-Lo - Aberdeen, South Dakota . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
6. Sirens Of The Southwest (2020-07-18). EOWS 612 | Alternate Wail | 7/18/20 . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
7. TboltTX1 (2013-06-13). EOWS 612 Pulsed Wail . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
8. Pulsed Steady, WIKIPEDIA LINK . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via www.youtube.com.
9. gilramirez12 (2009-07-16). 6/7/05 - Illinois Statewide Monthly Siren Test - Barrington EOWS 612 (Whoop) . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
10. Central Ohio Sirens (2024-10-20). FS EOWS*612 - SiraTone Westminster Chimes - Forest Hills, PA . Retrieved 2024-10-20– via YouTube.
11. Archived 2021-09-14 at the Wayback Machine