Without bells, it wouldn’t matter how fantastic a fire alarm system was. It wouldn’t work. The bells are hooked to the console for one reason – to make a noise that alerts people to impending danger. In an alarm system, a pull bar unit or detector will pick up a signal that something is amiss. It then sends the message on to the control unit which processes it and activates the bells which then ring. Other fire alarm systems may use horns instead of bells, but the concept is still the same.

It’s all the same if your fire alarm system uses bells, horns, sirens, or strobe lights. All that matters is that your unit activates when needed to warn you of a fire. Therefore, it’s extremely important to occasionally check over the unit and make sure it is working properly. In newer, higher-tech systems, you don’t even have to activate the circuitry while performing the check.

Companies with facilities to host 100 or more people generally have fire alarm bells. There are other options, such as audio evacuation systems and sirens, which work more appropriately in larger or more complicated work areas. In the home, most alarms are equipped with bells. Bells project a loud sound which people in the neighborhood will be able to hear and react to, even if you aren’t at home.

Options Available to You

Some of the companies you may have heard of who make fire bells include, Edwards Signaling and Security Systems, Euchner, Federal Signal Corp., Sea-Fire Marine Products, and a number of others.

When buying or replacing the fire alarm bells of your system, there are several things you need to consider, including bell color. As a rule of thumb, most people select bells in a color similar to the cover set. They are also available in black, white, red, and other colors.

You also need to consider size and specifications. Size refers to the size of the housing in which the bells are kept. They range from 4 to 8 inches in home units and up to as much as 12" for commercial systems. Specifications refer to installation and mounting, the compatibility of the circuits, consumption, and mounting cables.

You will find fire alarm bells in ranges up to 24V. These bells are capable of producing 75dB of output sound. It’s also wise to purchase a set which is waterproof in case of accidents. Make some good decisions now, and you’ll be well served by your fire alarm bell system for many years.