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FA100 SERIES
TRANSCRIPT
What is a municipal fire alarm system?
INTRO In this series, we are focusing on the different types of fire alarm systems. In our last video, we discussed the protected premises fire alarm systems. Today, we’re gonna focus on municipal fire alarm systems. Created by Moses Farmer and Dr. William Channing in the mid 1800’s, the first municipal fire alarm was put into service in Boston around 1851. Municipal fire alarm systems are the granddaddy of the industry. EXPENSIVE SYSTEM Primarily manufactured by Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Co., approximately 500 cities and towns across the United Sates had Gamewell systems installed by 1890. Today, only a handful of cities including Boston, New York City and San Francisco continue to use municipal fire alarm systems at a price tag north of $3 Million to maintain the system. DEFINITION Although the technology is considered old and outdated by many based upon the advancements in cellular communications, the system is very reliable as it operates separately from electric and telephone lines, and isn’t affected by power outages, cell phone reception, radio interference or downed power lines. So, what is a municipal fire alarm system? It’s a collection of basic mechanical components that directly connect urban locations with local fire departments. It’s like a fire alarm system but for a city rather than a building. Today, they are very rare, but NFPA 72 still keeps this definition and requirements for them as part of the standard. DIFFERENT TYPES Municipal fire alarm systems consist of: Street Boxes
Master Boxes
600-volt DC Power Supply Board
Receiving Board
All components are mechanical in nature which provides a reliability and redundancy which the communities that do still have these systems say is the reason why they keep them. The main issue other than cost of maintaining a municipal fire alarm system is the issue of false alarms. Based on recent statistics, only 20% percent of the annual calls received are for legitimate emergencies. SUMMARY In summary, a municipal fire alarm system is a collection of mechanical components which has its roots dating back to the 1800’s. There are only a few active systems remaining in the country so you will most likely never encounter this type of system unless you are in San Francisco, Boston, or New York. Other than that, you can see them in a museum or purchase one for yourself on EBAY. Hopefully for a lot less than $3M! We hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane. In our next video, we will discuss residential fire alarm systems. Until next time, I am Al Yakel and this is Meyer Fire University
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