Fire alarm testing a school with two systems Edwards 6500 and IO64

[@siphonralarms9411]

That’s what I like about older Fire Alarm panels, they react almost instantly. Those bells sound absolutely gorgeous!

[@IanGSully]

Kinda the same with Notifier Onyx series panels (When they are fully initialized anyway).

[@HenBasketFireAlarms]

“Is that lamp supposed to be nice looking? Because that’s f***ing ugly”
-Nic, sparing no mercy

[@nics-systems-electric]

lol I forgot about that yeah that lamp was terrible

[@J19_vlogger74]

Yeah, that thing is, to put it kindly, not my style.

[@gideonkinneygaming3506]

Yea it was pretty ugly

[@Fire_Alarm_Duude]

Nice I love these old 6500 system it’s pretty weird to see 2 fire panels in the same school

[@nics-systems-electric]

Multiple panels isn't uncommon just the way they have this one set up here is strange if it's done right you wouldn't even know there was 2

[@Fire_Alarm_Duude]

True

[@bowster4092]

I love watching your videos because I'm a 11 year old who wants to wire up fire alarms, test them, and collect rare simplex pull stations and horn strobes. And by the way, my real name is Jamie :)

[@weatherdan882002]

It’s actually an iO1000 (or possibly an iO500), as the iO64 can’t have that side LED display expander.

[@nics-systems-electric]

Yes my mistake it's a 1000

[@topher8634]

That gym flooring looks like my old elementary school gym floor. I've always referred to it as parquet but I don't know if that is the actual term for it or not.

[@KanoaDeCastro]

I love vintage fire alarms. Really, VIntige anything. That system is insantaneous. I can see why you like it.
What bells are they?

[@nics-systems-electric]

Probably durabells

[@GaryBeltz]

You would think with the importance of life safety systems fire alarm control panels would have a dedicated surge protector for protection from lightning strikes or other power surges.

[@nics-systems-electric]

I'm not sure of the exact reasons however it's probably the same reasons fire alarm systems are not GFCI or AFCI protected as a surge protection device possibly could unnecessarily disconnect power for a surge that wouldn't of even killed the panel I'm thinking that is probably the reason. But some places do it though I just know we don't here most modern commercial buildings have surge protection built into the main switchgear

[@mikeross880]

Judging by the Windows and doors the school is most likely mid 60's or so (I would say about 1965) The silver heat detector is a rare one nowadays as Edwards only produced them for a short time in the early 80's (not sure why) As for the first 2 Durabels shown; (with the blue rectangular Edwards logo) they are most definitely 3rd generation Durabels as Edwards only made those between 1981-83 before the 439D's came out. While the last bell shown is either an Adaptabel or 1st gen Durabel. The panel for the portables is sweet cause (guess what) if there was a false alarm in the main building while school was in session; the teachers (if they had access) could easily silence the bells and continue on as normal. Definitely save that silver heat detector if you can; there's only a handful of those left in Canada as far as I know.

[@nics-systems-electric]

You gotta tell me more about the different generations of durabells if you have any idea what the differences are and years of manufacture the set up in the portables at the school I find not very well teachers or principals or any school staff do not have any control over fire alarm systems if it goes off then it goes off and they evacuate until fire department clears the building I know some places it's not that strict though here it is for sure so since they would never use it in that scenario it just doesn't really make sense and is kind of a pain to deal with

[@mikeross880]

Ok I'll do my best. 1st gen Durabel: made between 1967-1975 label is blue on bottom with silver-gray on top half and blue on bottom half. Large Edwards Shield at top with the word "Durabel" directly underneath. Bottom of the top half has CSA logo on right side and volt/amp ratings on left. The bottom (blue half) lists dismounting instructions followed by the words "Edwards of Canada Ltd. Owen Sound Ontario" 2nd gen: Made between 1976-1980. Top half of label is basically the same as 1st gen but CSA logo now removed. Bottom half of label is now white and dismounting instructions are replaced with the words "Do not remove gong" below that is a smaller Edwards shield logo with the name "Edwards" to the left of that and finally the words "Made in Canada" to the far left. 3rd Gen: Made between 1981-1983. Basically exactly the same as 2nd gen with one notable exception; The Edwards Shield logo at the bottom has now been replaced with a blue rectangular l logo with the words "Edwards" in white. Both 2nd and 3rd gens contain the word "patented" in about the middle. Another notable characteristic is the bell shell colours with the 1st gen being a bright orange and the 3rd being more of a darker red. The 439D is of course the darkest red and I'm positive the D in "439D" means Durabel. So in effect the 439D is really a 4th and final gen Durabel and since the designs are all the same (magnets as opposed to motors) the 10 inch versions essentially all sound the same. Do a search under "Google Images" of the word "Durabel" and you'll easily see the differences between the 3 different generations.

[@mikeross880]

Well for some reason RUclips won't let me post the full details as it's too long so here's a quick summary; 1st Gen 1967-1975 label with silver on top half blue on bottom dismounting instructions.. 2nd 1976-1980 all white "Durabel printed on top dismounting instructions replaced with "Do not remove gong" 3rd Gen 1981-1983 silver on top white on bottom has rectangular blue Edwards logo on bottom half.

[@achannelwithnopurpose1977]

2 actually really nice EST control units. Normally the iO panels behave better than that panel. Maybe its the over complicated relays that are messing with the system. Edit: I’m not defending EST. They’re not very reliable and have a reputation for cheap and ineffective products.

[@nics-systems-electric]

I never said they were really nice just they seem better than some of EST other stuff

[@achannelwithnopurpose1977]

@@nics-systems-electric i was aware. In fact, i know you have said notifier systems are better than est.

[@vrryan6]

@@achannelwithnopurpose1977 notifier is superior to modern day est

[@achannelwithnopurpose1977]

@@vrryan6 I totally agree. I don’t like EST, even though it has shown slight improvements from previous EST products (excluding edwards pre est era products which were very nice systems)

[@Ericlovestrains]

Why was it in different colors

[@user13424]

Sometimes i just don't understand some company's. They should of just put a nac extender in the portables and make a zone on the main school alarm for just portables or upgraded the whole system when they put the portables in.

[@nics-systems-electric]

Yes it's a strange set up

[@user13424]

@@nics-systems-electric what brand was the bell in the portables?

[@Earth_Number_12]

Fire alarm are getting a workout

[@Fredengle]

Mr. Nic can you answer the question for me an older version of a home fire alarm code suggested home be protected by heat alarms and a smoke alarm was only needed in sleeping areas do you know why this changed? thoughts please thank you

[@nics-systems-electric]

Heat detectors are really only effective by the time things have gotten pretty bad smoke detectors detect fires way earlier

[@nics-systems-electric]

@@Fredengle i'm not sure of the science behind it or what they have figured all I know is heat detectors often are not considered life safety equipment and only property protection

[@ken6x6]

What is a lamp test. 🔦

[@nics-systems-electric]

Tests all of the lights and indicators

[@elsiebonilla7445]

What kinda heat gun is that? No cord

[@nics-systems-electric]

Milwaukee cordless one

[@fizzysodavr]

hey nic is a manual pull station conventional?

[@nics-systems-electric]

Both

[@fizzysodavr]

@@nics-systems-electric ok thanks

[@Friendlytaco]

Why don’t y’all use walk test on these panels

[@West_Kootenay_railfan]

This old panel doesn't have walktest

[@Twentythree33]

Heit ditecter