Complete guide to Edwards Genesis notification appliances: wall-mount G4 horns & strobes, EG1 compact series, 520 Hz low-frequency sleeping area models, GC ceiling appliances, speakers & speaker/strobes, WG4 outdoor devices, and legacy 757 series. Includes model selection guide and replacement tips.
Fire Alarm & Protection Blogs
Edwards EST SIGA Detector Guide: Choosing the Right Smoke, Heat & Multi-Criteria Detector
Complete guide to Edwards EST SIGA intelligent detectors: photoelectric smoke detectors (SIGA-PS, SIGA-PD, SIGA-OSD), heat detectors (SIGA-HRS, SIGA-HRD), multi-criteria detectors (SIGA-PHD, SIGA-OSHD), and duct smoke detectors (SIGA-SD SuperDuct). Includes detector base selection and module recommendations.
Simplex Replacement Clocks: How to Replace Your School or Hospital Wall Clock
If your school, hospital, or commercial building has Simplex synchronized wall clocks, you know the frustration when they stop working. These iconic clocks — found in hallways, classrooms, and waiting rooms across America — are tied to a master clock system that keeps every clock in the building synchronized. When a Simplex clock fails, finding… Read more »
Simplex 4100U & 4100ES Fire Alarm Panel: Common Replacement Parts Guide
The Simplex 4100U and 4100ES are among the most widely installed addressable fire alarm control panels in commercial buildings across the United States. From hospitals and universities to office towers and military installations, these Johnson Controls panels protect millions of square feet of occupied space. But even the most reliable panels need maintenance. Circuit boards… Read more »
How to Choose the Right STI Enclosure for Your Fire Alarm Equipment
When fire alarm control panels, power supplies, or notification appliances need to operate in harsh environments, a NEMA-rated enclosure is essential. Safety Technology International (STI) manufactures the EnviroArmour line of enclosures specifically designed to protect life safety equipment from weather, dust, vandalism, and temperature extremes. With dozens of sizes and configurations available, choosing the right… Read more »
STI Stopper II vs Universal Stopper: Which Pull Station Cover Do You Need?
Protecting your fire alarm pull stations from vandalism, false alarms, and accidental activation is essential for any commercial building. Safety Technology International (STI) makes the two most popular pull station protective covers in the industry: the Stopper II and the Universal Stopper. But which one is right for your facility? In this guide, we’ll break… Read more »
The Advantages of Having a Smoke Detector Dust Cover
Smoke detectors are essential for any commercial building, working around the clock to detect smoke and keep occupants safe. But what happens when something as small as dust starts to affect that critical piece of equipment? That’s where smoke detector dust covers come in. Issues Caused By Dust and Debris in Commercial Smoke Detectors Like… Read more »
Fire Alarm System Preventive Maintenance: Annual Checklist & Parts
A well-executed annual preventive maintenance (PM) visit is the foundation of a reliable commercial fire alarm system. It’s also one of the most time-efficient and cost-effective things a fire alarm contractor or in-house facilities team can do to prevent unplanned service calls, avoid AHJ violations, and extend the service life of expensive system components. This… Read more »
Smoke Detector Sensitivity Testing: When to Clean vs. Replace
NFPA 72 requires that commercial smoke detectors be tested for sensitivity on a scheduled basis — within the first year of installation and every other year thereafter. Yet sensitivity testing is one of the most frequently skipped or superficially performed elements of a fire alarm inspection. For fire alarm technicians, understanding the testing process, what… Read more »
Fire Alarm Notification Appliances: Horns, Strobes & Speaker Strobes Explained
Fire alarm notification appliances — the horns, strobes, and speaker-strobes that alert building occupants to evacuate — are a critical link in the fire alarm chain. Despite their importance, they’re often overlooked during preventive maintenance until they fail a test or visibly malfunction. Understanding the different types of notification appliances, the code requirements that govern… Read more »
