Outdoor alarms.
Outdoor devices that combine a siren and a strobe flash, better known in our market as outdoor alarms, have long been used as alarm signaling devices, helping the security guard to assess the situation visually and, as they say, by ear. In addition, in many cases, the siren of an outdoor alarm is also considered as a deterrent for a potential intruder, letting him know that the facility is under guard.
Today, many domestic and foreign manufacturers offer a huge number of such devices: from the familiar Soviet-era alarms in ribbed metal cases to elegant in design and powerful in functionality sirens from the world's most famous brands.
The tone is set by manufacturers from the United Kingdom, which is explained primarily by the greatest demand for outdoor alarms on the UK market. Not a single, even the simplest, home alarm system is installed here without a siren.
The alarm is a device that is quite vulnerable to third-party interference, so it always has a certain level of tamper protection and the so-called self-activation system. This means that when the tamper contacts are triggered, the alarm is generated independently of the object console (control panel). Usually, the alarm also has a built-in battery, which increases its reliability. After all, even if the power supply from the panel suddenly disappears (for example, in the case of deliberate damage to the power cable), the alarm will still remain fully operational. So the use of backup batteries in alarms is an undoubted benefit. The only thing the installer needs to pay attention to is the capacity of the backup power source. It must be sufficient to ensure the operation of the alarm in the difficult climatic conditions of Russia.
One of the main problems of the Russian installer of the TSB is obtaining the necessary detailed information about the equipment being installed. This is a common place in our industry, which fully applies to street alarms. Anyone who tries to independently obtain such information can easily verify this. Unfortunately, some manufacturers and sellers provide only very generalized data. Moreover, this shortcoming affects not only advertising products (catalogs, booklets, websites), but also the instructions for installation and operation of alarms attached to them.
For example, the manufacturer (both Western and Russian companies are sometimes guilty of this) may not indicate the exact characteristics of the device, but only mention its compliance with certain norms or standards. I will try to explain how much this can complicate the installer's work, and then the operation of the equipment, using a specific example.
Since in most cases alarms are installed outdoors, they often have to withstand harsh weather conditions, and also because of their relatively easy accessibility — the risk of outside interference. That is, the level of protection of devices from external influences, you must agree, is a very important indicator of their quality and reliability. Almost all manufacturers solve the problem of protecting the printed circuit board and other electronics of the device by means of silicone sealants, combined with internal covers to limit the amount of moisture entering. The disadvantage of using silicone (and the entire architecture in general) is the inability to protect metal contacts, since they must be accessible after the alarm is installed. And the use of an internal cover is more of an advertising gimmick, since it does not seal the terminals in any way. For the same reason, the maximum available dust and moisture protection (IP) rating of devices on our market is IP44, although many alarms have no more than IP22. There are also many manufacturers who modestly keep silent about this information, limiting themselves to only mentioning that the «device is outdoor». For comparison: when installing video surveillance systems, the rating of hermetic housings for installing video cameras should be at least IP65. And this is despite the fact that the video camera also has its own housing with minimal protection, while in the alarm all the electronics are exposed to environmental conditions. Therefore, remaining so vulnerable, the contacts are subject to corrosion over time and lose conductivity, this is especially evident in coastal regions, where the air contains a large amount of salts.
Another point that the installer must pay attention to: since it is impossible to deactivate the tamper, outdoor alarms are difficult to service. After all, when the front cover is moved, the device is triggered. It is triggered at full power, and the service engineer, who is in the immediate vicinity of the alarm, is not to be envied. Moreover, the sound of the siren not only causes discomfort, but can also be harmful to health. In fairness, it must be said that manufacturers are working on a solution to this problem. One of the algorithms is the engineering hold-off mode, which allows the installer to install and service the device without disconnecting the power supply of the entire system, while preventing self-activation of the siren by the tamper contact. Another important point when servicing already installed alarms is the residual voltage on the terminals, which can also lead to industrial injuries. The ability to eliminate static is not provided in the devices of all manufacturers.
Impact-resistant plastic is increasingly used in the production of modern alarms. I have often heard skeptical statements from colleagues on this matter, so a few words in defense of the new materials. Impact-resistant plastic is no worse than metal. In addition, it is not subject to corrosion at all. As for its strength and vandal resistance, try a simple experiment: hang two alarms next to each other and throw stones at them. A well-aimed throw of a heavy stone will disable a metal alarm in a housing just as quickly as a plastic one.
In the review part of this article, readers will be able to get acquainted with the main characteristics of some alarms presented on the Russian market.
In conclusion, I would like to note that, despite significant legislative restrictions on the Russian market of alarm devices and the OPS in general, with the development of individual housing construction and private security monitoring in the Russian Federation, the need for high-quality outdoor sirens will certainly grow. And the main factors when choosing should certainly be reliability, ease of maintenance and modern design.
Multibox (CQR) outdoor light and sound alarm
Depending on the requirements for the design of the room or the specifics of the installation, the Multibox light and sound alarm is available in 6 different versions (replaceable housings): Aries, Corona, Leo, Libra, Taurus, Virgo. There are 2 versions of the working element: Multibox Standart and Multibox Plus.
Sound signal – 115 dB (Standart)/118 dB (Plus). The device is equipped with additional control of the supply cable. There is an LED indication of normal operation, tamper, delay and battery discharge.
Case protection from opening – wall/case (Standart) or wall/case/screws (Plus).
Case material – polycarbonate, 3 mm. Piezo speakers – 1 (Standart) or 2 (Plus).
SAB/SCB modes (power supply by choice from the control device/from the built-in battery). Strobe – 1, xenon. Compliance with European standards EN50131-1 Grade 3 PD6662:2004. Enclosure protection rating – IP54.
JA-80A (Jablotron)
The JA-80A outdoor wireless siren is a component of the Oasis 80 system and is designed to generate light and sound alarm signals. The siren is completely wireless and does not require power from the mains. The service life of the lithium battery is 3-5 years, depending on the frequency of polling the checkpoint status (once every 50 or 25 sec.). It is equipped with an unauthorized contact to detect attempts to open the door. The acoustic emitter is piezoelectric, 112 dB, with the maximum sound level increasing gradually, which ensures operation in winter conditions.
The maximum siren sounding time is 3 minutes. The maximum operating time of the light beacon is 30 minutes after the alarm.
OS-360/365 — wired modifications. OS-360 is a piezoelectric siren for urban areas with a high density of buildings. OS-365 is a magnetodynamic siren for private houses or for buildings with a large space around them.
Odyssey 5 Compact/5E Compact (Texecom)
Power supply voltage – 12 V DC, current consumption in standby mode – 18 mA, current consumption in alarm mode – 505/385 mA, sounder type – piezo, volume level – 109/115 dB at a distance of 1 m depending on the modification. The alarm is made of impact-resistant polycarbonate plastic, the housing performance class is IP 65/IP 44. The operating temperature range is from -30 ° C to +50 ° C. The alarms are equipped with 3-level tamper protection, preventing the device from being torn off the wall, unscrewing the screws and opening the front cover.
The sirens are equipped with a patented Hold-off system, which allows for routine maintenance without turning off the siren. This model has an SCB mode (autonomous mode), in which the control microprocessor determines the built-in battery as the main power source, rather than the control panel, which makes it possible to connect several sirens to one security panel.
Odyssey sirens with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty.
Delta Bell (Pyronix) combined alarms
Intended for outdoor installation. Protected from weather conditions by a double 3 mm polycarbonate casing. Has built-in protection against casing opening, protection against tearing off from the wall. There is also a built-in level and rotating mounting rings for easy installation. Universal option to select the activation type by plus or minus. Separate terminals for switching on the strobe flash and siren. There is a place for a backup battery inside the casing. Supply voltage is 9–16 volts DC, current consumption in standby mode is 30–60 mA, in alarm mode – no more than 300 mA. Sound volume is 100 dB, LED strobe flash frequency is 1 Hz. Certificate of conformity with fire regulations No. C-GB.PB16.V.00034.
Light and sound alarm «Ligard-Signal»
The alarm is designed for sound and light indication of the activation of the fire alarm. The device is installed both indoors and outdoors.
Operating temperature range: from – 30 °C to + 50 °C.
In terms of resistance to ambient temperature and humidity, the alarm belongs to performance group D1 according to GOST 12997-84.
Relative humidity: 100% at a temperature of + 40 °C. Supply voltage: 12 V. Current consumption: 0.4 A. Siren power: 110 dB at a distance of 1 m.
Overall dimensions: 120 x 90 x 80 mm. Weight: 200 g.
Sound alarms «Svirel-2» (JSC «Radiy»)
«Svirel-2» along with the sound also gives a light signal. The alarms provide joint operation with control and monitoring devices that have contacts at the output, to which in the «alarm» mode the alarms are supplied with direct current voltage.
«Svirel-2» has a high volume level with low power consumption.
The moisture-proof design of the device allows it to be installed outdoors. Protected from mechanical damage. Structurally simple, easy to maintain, highly reliable.
Maintains operability after applying reverse polarity voltage.
Several versions of the Svirel-2 alarm device are available:
ver. 00 (ACDR.425542.001) – 105 dB, 12 V, 600 mA;
ver. 01 (ACDR.425542.001-01) – 100 dB, 12 V, 300 mA;
ver. 02 (ACDR.425542.001-02) – 105 dB, 24 V, 300 mA;
isp.03 (ACDR.425542.001-03) – 100 dB, 12 V, 300 mA, light 12 (24) V, 50 mA.
Carrier frequency of sound signals: 2000–4000 Hz. Technical readiness time – no more than 1 s. Continuous operation time – no less than 10 min. Operating temperature range – from -30 °С to +45 0С. Operability at relative air humidity – up to 100% at a temperature of +25 ОС with moisture condensation.
Overall dimensions: 66 x 92 x 118 mm. Weight – no more than 0.6 kg.
MSC-730 (Visonic)
Outdoor combined radio channel alarm device is compatible with PowerMax Pro and PowerMax Express radio channel panels. Completely wireless solution – MCS-730 is powered by a high-capacity lithium battery. Two-way radio communication ensures timely activation of the alarm mode, radio communication control and signal transmission in case of opening the alarm cover or removing it from the wall.
Sound alarm: piezo siren 109 dB/m, frequency – 1.8–3.5 kHz. Light alarm (flash frequency): 1 Hz. Sound signals: fire alarm/intrusion, arming/disarming.
Radio signal type: tamper/restore, low battery, radio communication control. Tamper protection against opening the case and removing from the wall. Battery life – up to 3 years (when activated once a week for 4 minutes). Operating temperature range – from -33 °C to +70 °C. Dimensions: 295 x 186 x 63 mm. Weight – 970 g.