fire alarm box controller

[highendtron]

Anyone have experience buying a commercial fire alarm controller? If so, what should I expect to pay for a basic unit for a 2000 sqft day care center? The fire marshal said that they are about $5000 and since the day care is being made to upgrade all they need is the main unit.

 

[peter d]

Anyone have experience buying a commercial fire alarm controller? If so, what should I expect to pay for a basic unit for a 2000 sqft day care center? The fire marshal said that they are about $5000 and since the day care is being made to upgrade all they need is the main unit.

What state are you in?

The $5000 figure is correct for a radio master box that is required in many New England towns and cities.

However, an addressable fire alarm panel can be had for as little as $700. A 2000 sq ft day care might only need a few zones so a typical analog panel could be used, which cost anywhere from $250 and up.

 

[highendtron]

We are in Missouri and I planned on calling the FM, but I thought that my normal distributors might also know (closed now). I did not qoute a price and won't till I check out what she needs. Thanks.

 

[peter d]

For $5000 you might be able to do the whole fire alarm system...at least around here. In Missouri you might be able to do 3 for that price...

 

[mdshunk]

5K will buy you a pretty nice, installed, system in my area. I'd guess, off the cuff, that all the material will ring in at maybe 750 - 1000 bucks.

 

[peter d]

5K will buy you a pretty nice, installed, system in my area. I'd guess, off the cuff, that all the material will ring in at maybe 750 - 1000 bucks.

In my area we have to use pipe and/or MC cable for fire alarm circuits, as well as a locally mandated color code. It's a real pain that adds considerably to the cost of the system.

 

[mdshunk]

In my area we have to use pipe and/or MC cable for fire alarm circuits, as well as a locally mandated color code. It's a real pain that adds considerably to the cost of the system.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. Good for contractors, I guess. I sorta wonder if the extra benefit of armoring the fire alarm conductors enhances the overall performance of the system that much.

 

[peter d]

I'm not sure how I feel about that. Good for contractors, I guess. I sorta wonder if the extra benefit of armoring the fire alarm conductors enhances the overall performance of the system that much.

Yeah, very good for contractors, but I've figured out that us electricians and contractors end up paying ourselves in an indirect way. We are consumers too, and the local business owners that are being forced to upgrade or install fire alarm systems have to pass their costs along to the consumer.

I personally do not see the extra benefit to the raceway and MC cable rules.