![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
![]() | |
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Manufacturing |
Founded | 1984 |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | World |
Key people | John Hakanson, President |
Products | Fire detection and notification devices |
Number of employees | 1,900 |
Parent | Honeywell International |
Website | buildings |
System Sensor is an American manufacturer of fire protection equipment. Headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois, System Sensor is a subsidiary of Honeywell International. [1] System Sensor develops and distributes fire alarm devices such as notification appliances, fire detectors, manual initiating devices (pull stations and call points), CO detectors, and more fire protection devices for multiple markets across the globe, and for other Honeywell companies. [2] [3]
System Sensor was founded in 1984 [4] to address the requirements of exclusive industry fire alarm products. Early products included the MASS and PA400 Series. In the 1990’s, System Sensor also had introduced a line of smoke detectors, including the System Sensor 1400 and the 2400 2-wire detector. In 1997, the MASS was replaced with the SpectrAlert series. In the 2000’s, System Sensor was acquired from Pitway by Honeywell. Around this time, System Sensor introduced the i3 line of smoke detectors. In 2006, the original SpectrAlert series were replaced with the SpectrAlert Advance. In 2017, the System Sensor L-Series was released. All SpectrAlert Advance products, except for the outdoor models and mini horns, were discontinued by February 2020. In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the LED L-Series. The original L-Series is planned to be discontinued In Late 2023.
MASS Series
The MASS was multi-tone and came in remote horn and horn strobe models as well as remote strobe models, and speaker strobes and remote speakers. The MASS series was originally sold under BRK Electronics and later under System Sensor. It featured a xenon flash tube housed under a translucent white plastic (Dubbed "Frosted Strobes" by enthusiasts). The original MASS series used break off tabs to change the tone meaning that once the tone is changed, it is permanent. The MASS series was later on updated to use jumpers rather than break off tabs. In 1993, System Sensor filed a patent for a new strobe that was ADA compliant. It featured a clear lens and a reflector to distribute the light as well as higher candela options, the minimum being 15 candela. Soon after, System Sensor implemented the ADA-complaint strobe. In 1997, the MASS was replaced by the SpectrAlert series.
PA400 Series
The System Sensor PA400 was a mini horn, with an optional strobe attachment. In 2007, the PA400 series was discontinued and replaced with the MH series sold under the SpectrAlert Advance name.[ citation needed ]
SpectrAlert Series
The SpectrAlert series was the successor to the MASS series. The SpectrAlert series included horn strobes, strobes, remote horns, chimes, chime strobes, speakers, and speaker strobes. A main feature of these alarms was the ability to sync them using a System Sensor MDL sync module or the System Sensor sync protocol on a supported fire alarm control panel. Three years after the initial release of the SpectrAlert series, System Sensor released the ceiling mount SpectrAlerts. This included horn strobes, remote strobes, speaker strobes, and remote speakers. There were multiple generations of the SpectrAlert. The first generation had a screw lock. The second generation, released in the early 2000s, replaced the screw lock with a clip lock. Approximately before 2006, the third generation was released with multi-candela strobes, and replaced the jumpers for the horn tone with DIP switches. In 2006, the original SpectrAlert series were replaced with the SpectrAlert Advance. A few years after the discontinuation of the SpectrAlert series, fire alarm enthusiasts dubbed the SpectrAlert series as "SpectrAlert Classic" indicating that it is the original SpectrAlert line of fire alarm products. The term became popular and is now being used by most fire alarm enthusiasts today.
SpectrAlert Advance Series
The SpectrAlert Advance was introduced in 2006 to replace the Legacy SpectrAlerts.[ citation needed ] Its main features were an updated mounting plate wiring design, allowing for easier installation, more candela options, and an updated design. The Advance came in the same models as the original SpectrAlert, with the addition of mini horns, and Low-frequency sounders, which were released in 2014.
All SpectrAlert Advance products, except for the outdoor models and mini horns, were discontinued by February 2020.
L-Series
In 2017, the System Sensor L-Series was released, replacing the SpectrAlert Advance series.[ citation needed ] New features included a new 3000 hertz tone, more candela options, lower power draw, and an updated design. The low frequency devices were released in 2018. The new low frequency devices had Temporal 4 for Carbon Monoxide (CO) operations. In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the release of a new LED L-Series that uses lower current draw, which would replace the Xenon L-Series devices; the latter was discontinued as of late 2023. [5] Some L-Series low frequency sounders have been recalled on March 14, 2024. [6]
L-Series LED
In October of 2023, System Sensor announced the release of a new LED L-Series that uses lower current draw to replace the Xenon L-Series devices. [5]
1400/2400 Series
In the 1990’s System Sensor introduced a line of smoke detectors including the System Sensor 1400 2-wire Ionization detector and the 2400 2-wire Photoelectric detector.
i3 Series
In the 2000’s, System Sensor introduced the i3 line of smoke detectors, which came in 2 and 4 wire models. These devices have a feature which they will poll with the fire alarm panel when the sensor is dirty, causing a trouble condition on the panel.
A strobe light or stroboscopic lamp, commonly called a strobe, is a device used to produce regular flashes of light. It is one of a number of devices that can be used as a stroboscope. The word originated from the Ancient Greek στρόβος (stróbos), meaning "act of whirling".
A smoke detector is a device that senses smoke, typically as an indicator of fire. Smoke detectors/Alarms are usually housed in plastic enclosures, typically shaped like a disk about 150 millimetres (6 in) in diameter and 25 millimetres (1 in) thick, but shape and size vary. Smoke can be detected either optically (photoelectric) or by physical process (ionization). Detectors may use one or both sensing methods. Sensitive alarms can be used to detect and deter smoking in banned areas. Smoke detectors in large commercial and industrial buildings are usually connected to a central fire alarm system.
A fire alarm notification appliance is an active fire protection component of a fire alarm system. A notification appliance may use audible, visible, or other stimuli to alert the occupants of a fire or other emergency condition requiring action. Audible appliances have been in use longer than any other method of notification. Initially, all appliances were either electromechanical horns or electric bells, which would later be replaced by electronic sounders. Most of today's appliances produce sound levels between 70 and 100 decibels at three feet.
A car alarm is an electronic device installed in a vehicle in an attempt to discourage theft of the vehicle itself, its contents, or both. Car alarms work by emitting high-volume sound when the conditions necessary for triggering it are met. Such alarms may also cause the vehicle's headlights to flash, may notify the car's owner of the incident via a paging system, and may interrupt one or more electrical circuits necessary for the car to start. Although inexpensive to acquire and install, the effectiveness of such devices in deterring vehicle burglary or theft when their only effect is to emit sound appears to be negligible.
A security alarm is a system designed to detect intrusions, such as unauthorized entry, into a building or other areas, such as a home or school. Security alarms protect against burglary (theft) or property damage, as well as against intruders. Examples include personal systems, neighborhood security alerts, car alarms, and prison alarms.
A fire alarm control panel (FACP), fire alarm control unit (FACU), fire indicator panel (FIP), or simply fire alarm panel is the controlling component of a fire alarm system. The panel receives information from devices designed to detect and report fires, monitors their operational integrity, and provides for automatic control of equipment, and transmission of information necessary to prepare the facility for fire based on a predetermined sequence. The panel may also supply electrical energy to operate any associated initiating device, notification appliance, control, transmitter, or relay. There are four basic types of panels: coded panels, conventional panels, addressable panels, and multiplex systems.
A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. In the late 1990s Underwriters Laboratories changed the definition of a single station CO detector with a sound device to carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. This applies to all CO safety alarms that meet UL 2034 standard; however for passive indicators and system devices that meet UL 2075, UL refers to these as carbon monoxide detectors. Most CO detectors use a sensor with a defined, limited lifespan, and will not work indefinitely.
A motion detector is an electrical device that utilizes a sensor to detect nearby motion. Such a device is often integrated as a component of a system that automatically performs a task or alerts a user of motion in an area. They form a vital component of security, automated lighting control, home control, energy efficiency, and other useful systems.
A heat detector is a fire alarm device designed to respond when the convected thermal energy of a fire increases the temperature of a heat sensitive element. The thermal mass and conductivity of the element regulate the rate flow of heat into the element. All heat detectors have this thermal lag. Heat detectors have two main classifications of operation, "rate-of-rise" and "fixed temperature". The heat detector is used to help in the reduction of property damage.
A fire alarm system is a building system designed to detect, alert occupants, and alert emergency forces of the presence of fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, or other fire-related emergencies. Fire alarm systems are required in most commercial buildings. They may include smoke detectors, heat detectors, and manual fire alarm activation devices. All components of a fire alarm system are connected to a fire alarm control panel. Fire alarm control panels are usually found in an electrical or panel room. Fire alarm systems generally use visual and audio signalization to warn the occupants of the building. Some fire alarm systems may also disable elevators, which are unsafe to use during a fire under most circumstances.
Kidde is a brand subsidiary of Carrier Global that manufactures and distributes fire detection and suppression equipment, as well as smoke and CO alarm units. Kidde is one of America's largest manufacturers of smoke alarms and fire safety products. Kidde is headquartered in Mebane, North Carolina.
Wheelock is a fire alarm and general signaling products manufacturer owned by Eaton Corporation.
A gas detector is a device that detects the presence of gases in an area, often as part of a safety system. A gas detector can sound an alarm to operators in the area where the leak is occurring, giving them the opportunity to leave. This type of device is important because there are many gases that can be harmful to organic life, such as humans or animals.
First Alert is the retail brand of American safety equipment manufacturer BRK Brands, Inc., established in 1976 and based in Aurora, Illinois, with a production plant in Juarez, Mexico. Products sold with the brand include carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and other safety products like flashlights and fire escape ladders. First Alert supports fire safety in partnership with Safe Kids USA and The United States Fire Administration, providing smoke alarms at reduced cost to low-income families in the United States.
SiraTone was a 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. The SiraTone product line is no longer in production. The product line was succeeded by the Modulator and DSA electronic outdoor warning sirens.
Honeywell Gent, formerly Gents' of Leicester, is a British manufacturer of life safety equipment based in Leicester, England. Established by John Thomas Gent, the company is thought to have started in 1872 however it could have been trading as early as the 1860s. The company had a workforce of several hundred at its height.
Autocall is a company that specializes in fire protection and customized communications equipment. The original company was founded in 1908 and was based in Shelby, Ohio. The Autocall brand became defunct in 2001 after it was incorporated into the SimplexGrinnell merger by Tyco International. On September 6, 2016, Johnson Controls and Tyco completed a merger, and Johnson Controls relaunched the Autocall brand in late 2017.
Google Nest is a line of smart home products including smart speakers, smart displays, streaming devices, thermostats, smoke detectors, routers and security systems including smart doorbells, cameras and smart locks.
Xtralis, now part of Honeywell, was a privately held firm. It manufactures smoke detection, gas detection and video surveillance security products for the early detection, visual verification, and prevention of fire and intrusion threats.