This is literally an “Old School” fire alarm system. It is the original fire alarm system that was installed when the school was built in 1955. This thing is a workhorse.
This is an IBM 4201-4 fire alarm panel. It operates only when a pull station is activated, and the system will continue to run until the station is reset. Through the relays and the coded wheel, the system clacks out pulses to the single stroke bells.
The system has a Simplex 4004 panel tied to it that operates pull stations and horns in a modular. You will hear the 4004 go into alarm first which then trips the IBM system. Notice the wheel at the bottom that turns and fires the bell circuits (watch closely and you’ll see some tiny sparks). Once the pull station is reset, it continues to do 4 more rounds until it times out.
IBM sold it’s fire alarm line to Simplex in 1958.
The system is up for replacement next summer with a Simplex 4100U.
Duration : 0:1:6
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