Fire Alarm & Protection Blogs

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 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 »