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Fire Alarm Sounders, Bells & Beacons

Fire alarm sounders, bells and beacons are the devices that tell people to leave once a fire panel goes into alarm. This page holds wall and ceiling sounders, visual alarm devices (VADs) and strobes, combined sounder beacons, detector base sounders, fire bells, bedhead sounders and a vibrating pillow pad, in conventional, addressable and wireless versions. Examples include the AS363 multi-tone sounder, the ESB-5005 ceiling VAD and the 118602.278.WH1 wireless sounder.

Choosing Fire Alarm Sounders, Bells & Beacons

Choose the device by what it must do, sound, flash or the two together, then by the panel it will be wired to and where it will be mounted.

Sounders, VADs and combined units

A sounder gives the audible signal and a VAD adds a flashing light where noise alone may not reach everyone. The AS363 is an EN54 part 3 sounder with 32 tones and 94 to 106 dB of output, the ESB-5005 is an EN54-23 ceiling VAD, and the CWSS-RR-W5 combines a sounder and flashing beacon approved to EN54-3 and EN54-23.

Match the panel

Conventional sounders such as the NS100R-D and the 540501FULL-0389X Roshni sit on a panel's sounder circuit. Addressable devices run on the detection loop and need the panel's protocol: the C-TEC BF450A/CX/SW is for Apollo XP95/Discovery, the Nittan EV-SDR uses Nittan Evolution FSK and the Hochiki CHQ-AB(WHT) is a loop powered beacon for Hochiki ESP bases. Ajax EN54 FireProtect sounders such as the 118602.278.WH1 are wireless, battery powered and work with Ajax EN54 control equipment.

Base sounders and weatherproof bases

A base sounder fits under a detector head, so one ceiling position gives detection and alarm. The BF431A/CX/W is an addressable base sounder at 96 dB, and the DBS-2 suits conventional 4-wire sounder circuits. For outdoor or damp areas, the NS100R-D comes with an IP65 deep base and the ESP BA-DB is an IP66 deep base for Banshee sounders.

Bells, bedrooms and hazardous areas

The Eaton 508001FULL-8001 is an electronic solenoid bell. MAG MAGBSR and MAGBSW bedhead sounders suit rooms where people sleep, and the C-TEC BF320 pillow pad vibrates to warn a hearing impaired person. The Kidde TCB-0017 exd sounder is approved for potentially explosive atmospheres. Eaton, Klaxon and Vimpex make most of the range.

DeviceExampleNote
Multi-tone sounderKidde AS36332 tones, IP21
Ceiling VADKlaxon ESB-5005EN54-23
Sounder beaconKAC CWSS-RR-W5EN54-3 and EN54-23
Addressable base sounderC-TEC BF431A/CX/W96 dB, EN54-3/17
Wireless sounderAjax 118602.278.WH1100 dB, 4 CR123A cells
Bedhead sounderMAG MAGBSRConventional 4-wire
Pillow padC-TEC BF320BS 5446-3, vibrates

Related categories

Wire these to a panel from commercial fire alarm panels or the wider fire alarm systems range, add manual call points and fire detectors, and see fire alarm accessories for bases and modules. Brand pages include C-TEC sounders and Apollo sounders.

Brands we stock in Fire Alarm Sounders, Bells & Beacons

Advanced, Ajax, Apollo Fire, Bell System, C-TEC, Comelit PAC, Cranford Controls, Cygnus, Eaton, ESP, Fike, FireClass, Hochiki, Honeywell Fire Systems, KAC by Honeywell, Kidde, Klaxon, Nittan, Notifier, Safety Technology International and Vimpex.

Frequently asked questions

What is a VAD on a fire alarm?

A VAD is a visual alarm device, a flashing light that signals a fire alarm to people who may not hear the sounder. The ESB-5005 is a ceiling VAD to EN54-23, and the EV-HIOP-BCN is a high-output EN54-23 beacon rated IP65. Combined units such as the KAC CWSS-RR-W5 give sound and light from one device.

Will any sounder work with my fire panel?

No, it has to match the way the panel drives its alarms. Conventional sounders such as the NS100R-D go on a sounder circuit, while addressable sounders need the loop protocol: the C-TEC BF450A/CX/SW is for Apollo XP95/Discovery and the Nittan EV-SDR for Nittan Evolution. Ajax wireless sounders need Ajax EN54 control equipment.

How loud are fire alarm sounders?

Output is measured in decibels and differs by model. The AS363 gives 94 to 106 dB with 32 selectable tones, the BF431A/CX/W base sounder 96 dB at 1m, and the 118602.278.WH1 up to 100 dB at 1 m. The Nittan EV-SDR ceiling/wall sounder is quieter at 73 to 88 dB, so check the figure against the area it has to cover.

Which alarm devices suit bedrooms?

Bedhead sounders and vibrating pads are made for rooms where people sleep. The MAG MAGBSR and MAGBSW bedhead sounders run on conventional 4-wire sounder circuits, and the C-TEC BF320 is a BS 5446-3 pillow pad that sits under the pillow or mattress and vibrates to warn a hearing impaired person. The BF320 plugs into a BF320JP connector plate.

Is there a sounder for outdoor or wet areas?

Yes, fit one with a deep weatherproof base. The NS100R-D comes with a deep base rated IP65, and the BA-DB is an IP66 deep base for Banshee sounders. For hazardous areas the TCB-0017 exd sounder is approved for explosive atmospheres.

What is a base sounder?

A base sounder is a sounder built into the base a detector head fits on, so one fitting gives detection and alarm together. The BF431A/CX/W is an addressable base sounder certified to EN54-3 and EN54-17, the 45681-700APO is an isolating Discovery sounder beacon base, and the DBS-2 is a detector base sounder for conventional circuits.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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