SimplexGrinnell, a subsidiary of Tyco International, is an American company specializing in active fire protection systems, communication systems and testing, inspection and maintenance services. The company headquarters is in Boca Raton, Florida; corporate sales and marketing offices are in Westminster, Massachusetts, and the company has about 160 district offices throughout North America. It is currently the largest fire protection company in the world.
Grinnell Fire Protection was purchased by Tyco in 1976. Tyco bought Simplex Time Recorder Company on January 5, 2001, for US$1.15 billion and merged it with Grinnell Fire Protection, forming SimplexGrinnell. On September 6, 2016, Johnson Controls and Tyco completed a merger. In May 2017, Johnson Controls announced that the brand identity of SimplexGrinnell will be transitioned to Johnson Controls. SimplexGrinnell's fire sprinkler services will become Grinnell Fire Protection Solutions, a separate brand under Johnson Controls. Johnson Controls will continue to sell Simplex fire and security products under the Simplex brand name.
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Corporate history
Grinnell Fire Protection Company
Frederick Grinnell, a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, worked in railroad engineering until he retired as chief mechanical engineer and general manager of the Jersey City Locomotive Works. Soon after his retirement, he purchased a controlling interest in the Providence Steam and Gas Pipe Company.
Grinnell already knew Henry S. Parmalee, who patented the first automatic fire sprinkler head in 1874. Providence Steam & Gas partnered with Parmalee and manufactured the Parmalee sprinkler; Grinnell also designed and erected the piping installations into which the Parmalee sprinkler heads were fitted. Grinnell improved Parmalee's first practical automatic sprinkler and patented his own Grinnell sprinkler in 1882. Continual improvements resulted in the glass disc sprinkler in 1890. With slight modifications, this sprinkler head is still used in modern fire sprinkler systems; sprinklers are even called le Grinnells in France. In 1892, Grinnell organized the General Fire Extinguisher Company, which was renamed the Grinnell Fire Protection Company after his death in 1919.
Simplex Time Recorder Company
Meanwhile, Edward G. Watkins founded the Simplex Time Recorder Company in 1894. Watkins invented and patented one of the first practical time clocks, along with the synchronized clock systems seen in schools up until recent times. The company, located in Gardner, Massachusetts, purchased the IBM Time Equipment Division in 1958. This purchase included IBM's fire protection division. Originally, Simplex's fire alarm line simply consisted of relabeled IBM devices and control panels (including the 4217 and possibly the 4201 series), but they began to introduce redesigned IBM products starting in the early 1960s, including the 4245, 4246, and 4247 series control panels. In the mid-1960s, Simplex attempted to introduce low-voltage DC systems with the 4210 and 4212; these panels were not a success. Most of Simplex's audible notification appliances prior to the 1990s were relabeled Benjamin Electric, Federal Signal, Faraday, and Autocall devices, such as the 2901-9806 (Federal Signal 450) 2901-9833 (Faraday 6020), and the 4050 (Faraday 5410). Simplex's time division began to lose market share, but their newly founded fire alarm division significantly prospered. In 1970, Simplex introduced the 4208-series conventional control panels. The 4050-80 light plate series with added AC powered 4050 (Faraday 5410) horn or DC powered 4051 (Faraday 5640) horn were introduced as the signals for the 4208. Around this time, Simplex also introduced the iconic "T-bar" style pull station, which is still manufactured today. In 1975, Simplex introduced the 4207, a system similar in design to the 4208, but with updated features such as card-based modularity, DC battery trickle charging, compatibility with custom COP and read-back systems for pre-multiplex building control, and voice evacuation for large buildings. In 1977, Simplex introduced the Simplex 2903 series. This includes the 2903 light plates and the 2904 series remote lights. They also introduced their 2901-9833 and 2901-9806 horns that year. Two years later, in 1979, the Simplex 2903 strobe plate versions were introduced.
In 1979, Simplex introduced the LifeAlarm 2100, the industry's first networked multiplex building control system that was capable of handling fire alarm, security, HVAC, synchronized time, and watchman's tour. It centered on a large CPU console with built-in CRT display and keyboard that controlled the system's remote transponders (smaller self-sufficient panels connected to the DC Communications loop that distributed the system's I/O). In 1981, the 2100 was replaced with the popular and less-expensive 2120-series. Unlike the 2100, the 2120's main CPU came in the form of a traditional wall-mount panel that was field-programmable, but several more options for remotely controlling the system through external CRT consoles and status command centers were now made available. The main panel featured a vacuum fluorescent display screen, DOS-based EEPROM programming, built-in printer, and a voice evacuation option. The 2120 was finally discontinued in 1992. These systems were possibly the first fire alarm systems with a screen display. Though flexible and robust, these systems were often criticized for being difficult to operate and troubleshoot. These two computer-based systems were accompanied by the conventional 2001-series. First released in 1978, the 2001 was a highly customizable system that used plug-in modules. Some were common to every system (basic controls), while many other options were available, including signal coding cards, waterflow monitor cards, and many others. These cards were also compatible with Simplex's multiplex systems. In 1988, the 2001 was discontinued in favor of the 4001 and 4002 series (which came out in 1985 and 1986, respectively), and the 1000-point 4100 addressable system which was introduced that year, along with the 4903 series light/strobe plates, which replaced the 2903/2904 series. Around 1992, the 2120 was replaced with the 4120-series networked panel, and the 508-point 4020 addressable system was introduced at the same time, with the new 2099/4099 series T-Bar pull stations. In 1993, Simplex began manufacturing their 4903 mechanical horn strobe series, along with the 4904 and 4901 horns. In 1994, Simplex introduced the 4004, 4005, and 4009 NAC extenders. In 1998, the 4903 electronic horn strobe was released, and in 2001, Simplex introduced the TrueAlert-series, cited as being the industry's first addressable notification appliances which can be tested individually with a magnet without activating the entire system. The 4100U, a consolidated upgrade of Simplex's three largest addressable systems, followed in 2002, and was again updated in 2010 with the current 4100ES. From time to time, SimplexGrinnell has used Cooper Wheelock, Gentex and Federal Signal notification appliances, mostly for outdoor/weatherproof applications. However, this is becoming less frequent with the introduction of weatherproof TrueAlert signals. When the weatherproof TrueAlerts came out in 2010, so did the TrueAlert chime/strobes and multi-tone horn/strobes. In 2014, Simplex released a new line of addressable notification appliances known as the TrueAlert ES. These signals are capable of reducing wiring, undergoing "self testing", strobe candela choice from the FACP, and make it easy to add new signals. This line includes the regular horn/strobes, multi tone horn/strobes capable of outputting a 520Hz Low Frequency tone for sleeping areas, outdoor signals, speaker/strobes, and Simplex's first ever line of LED devices.
Simplex Fire Alarm Video
Current products and services
Fire alarm systems
Today, SimplexGrinnell markets a full product line of conventional and addressable fire alarm and emergency notification systems, including:
- 4100ES: A large addressable, modular, and network-capable control panel intended for large to campus-size applications. Introduced in 2010.
- 4010ES: A 250-point addressable control panel with the new features, networking, and design of the 4100ES intended for medium-size applications. Introduced in 2011.
- 4007ES: A control panel with a 4.3" touchscreen available in a single-SLC addressable configuration, or a single-SLC hybrid system with 4 conventional zones intended for small to medium-size applications. Introduced in 2014.
- 4006: A conventional panel expandable to 10 zones and intended for small applications. Introduced in 2005.
- 4003EC: A small voice panel for emergency communications or mass notification. Introduced in 2007.
- 4004R: A conventional, two-hazard suppression release panel.
Simplex fire alarm systems are compatible with TrueAlert and TrueAlert ES-series notification appliances, TrueAlarm smoke detectors, 4009-series IDNet NAC extenders, the 4003EC voice/alarm communications panel, and a variety of accessories.
Other products
SimplexGrinnell also markets burglar alarms, PA systems, and nurse call systems. They also provide testing, inspection, and maintenance services for fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, security, and communication equipment. To a much lesser degree, the company also sells and services time clocks and master time systems.
Legacy products and services
Conventional fire alarm systems
- 4245, 4246, 4247: Hardwired conventional panels that were factory-assembled for each application. Introduced in the early 1960's and discontinued in 1970.
- 4208: Hardwired conventional panels with standardized cabinet sizes and modular parts. Introduced in 1970 and discontinued in 1978.
- 4207: A hardwired conventional panel with some solid-state components and voice capability. Introduced in 1975 and discontinued in 1979.
- 2001: A modular, voice-capable, fully solid-state conventional panel that replaced the 4208 and 4207 series, with many cabinet sizes available. Introduced in 1978 and discontinued in 1988.
- 2001 Repack: A single-bay 2001 system with 8 card slots intended for smaller applications. Introduced in 1982 and discontinued in 1988.
- 4001: A non-expandable conventional panel with 4 zones and one NAC, intended for smaller applications. Introduced in 1985 and discontinued in 1994.
- 4002: A modular conventional panel with 8 zones by default, but is expandable up to 16 or 32 depending on the cabinet size. Has two NAC's, but can be expanded up to 6. Introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 1996.
- 4004: A semi-modular conventional panel that replaced the 4001. Has 2 zones and 2 NAC's by default, but is expandable up to 8 zones. Introduced in 1994 and discontinued in 2005.
- 4005: A semi-modular conventional panel that replaced the 4002. Expandable to 36 zones and was intended for small to large-size applications. Introduced in 1994 and phased out around 2014.
Addressable fire alarm systems
- 2100: A large multiplex system intended for large to campus-size applications. Introduced in 1979 and discontinued in 1981.
- 2120: A large multiplex, networked, voice-capable system replacing the 2100 series and intended for large to campus-size applications. Introduced in 1981 and discontinued in 1992.
- 4100 Classic: A large addressable, 512-point panel that replaced the 2001 series. Could be configured with conventional zone cards. Introduced in 1988 and discontinued in 1992.
- 4100+: An updated 4100 with more points, networking, and voice capability that replaced the 2120 series. Introduced in 1992 and discontinued in 2001.
- 4020: An 127-point addressable panel expandable up to 508 points. Used the same software and many of the same components as the 4100 series, but intended for smaller applications. Introduced in 1992 and discontinued in 2001.
- 4120: A 4100+, but shipped with a network card. Introduced in 1992 and discontinued in 2001.
- 4010: A 250-point addressable control panel that is expandable via IDNet TrueAlert Addressable Controllers and intended for small to medium-size applications. Introduced in 1998 and phased out around 2014.
- 4100U: A redesigned 4100+ with many updated features. Replaced the 4100+, 4020, and 4120. Introduced in 2001 and discontinued in 2010.
- 4008: A 200-point addressable control panel intended for small applications. Introduced in 2005 and phased out around 2014.
Notification Appliances
- 4030 series: AC electromechanical horns originally manufactured by Benjamin Electric. Carried over from IBM and discontinued in the late 1960's.
- 4040/4041: AC or DC electromechanical horns originally manufactured by Federal Signal. Introduced in the late 1950's and discontinued in the 1970's.
- 4050/4051: AC or DC electromechanical horns originally manufactured by Faraday. Introduced in the 1960's and discontinued in the early 1980's.
- 4050-8x series: AC or DC lights or light plates. Introduced in 1970 and discontinued in the early 1980's.
- 4060, 4070, 4080 series: AC or DC bells and chimes originally manufactured by Faraday. Introduced in the 1960's and discontinued in the early 1980's.
- 2901-9806: DC electromechanical horn originally manufactured by Federal Signal. Introduced in the late 1970's and discontinued in the mid 1990's.
- 2901-9833: DC electromechanical horn originally manufactured by Faraday. Introduced in the late 1970's and discontinued in the mid 1990's.
- 2901-9838: DC electromechanical horn originally manufactured by Faraday. Introduced in the late 1980's and discontinued in the late 1990's.
- 2902 series: DC bells and chimes originally manufactured by Faraday. The model number series also included some speakers.
- 2903 and 2904 series: DC lights and strobes. Introduced in the late 1970's and discontinued in the early 1990's.
- 4903-910x and 4903-910x series: DC light or strobe plates. Introduced in the late 1980's and discontinued in the mid 1990's.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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