Drove past there today, it’s very sad to see the condition the building is in now. Even as it rots away, you can still see the the beauty it has. The front exterior is extremely gorgeous, all the terra cotta medallions and nice masonry work really catch my eye. There are very few schools left that were designed by architect M.M Konarski. At one time there were 18 school buildings he designed that had those terra cotta medallions and beautiful masonry work on their facades. Now there’s only 4 left and 3/4 are completely abandoned, the only one still in use is North High. When they sold these schools, I wish they would’ve made sure these buildings were sold to qualified buyers that had the capital and a solid plan for them. Most of these buildings were unfortunately purchased for tax-write offs. Every building they sold is just sitting and rotting. It’s depressing to watch these historical school buildings fall into disrepair as they had a lot of potential to be adaptively reused and were still solid. Hotchkiss was in decent shape when it was up for auction but now it’s sadly too far gone, whenever they demo it, I just hope all those medallions can be salvaged.
Always love watching your videos! So cool to see that Ohio still has many of these panels in operation. I live in Ontario, Canada, and we hardly have any rare systems, let alone any codes ones. All the schools in my area got upgraded in 2003-2005 with new systems, only a select few remain, and I'm trying my hardest to preserve them.
Excellent! Adding the walk-through and brief history of the building in addition to the demonstration provides a context to better understand the systems that are there and their evolution through the years. Seems like 4-4-4 was the temporal code of the mid-20th century - very common with the non-coded systems that didn't do straight march time.
These systems were built like tanks and made to last, unlike the junk that is made today. Thank you so much for watching and for your great observation.
Another awesome demonstration from an old school! There's actually an old school in my area that's been abandoned for years (owned by a real estate firm after the district shut the schools down in the 90's - one of them was built in the 1920's, and the other adjacent to it was built in the 50's) that I might ask the local government if I can salvage the alarms from because they're going to be demolishing both schools to make way for a housing development.
People just want to create more problems in our society than how it is. If older things were better than modern ones then why not keep them? People aren't looking into reality.
It's a damn shame that your not able to make this kind of content regularly. These school systems don't care about their old schools enough. Where I'm from, all the old school were turned into community complexes. One particular school now houses a brewery, axe throwing place, among other things.
How about not tearing down the building giving a full detail for retail and reopening as either a school or something else I hate it when old world buildings are destroyed
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms your welcome keep up the great old fire alarm videos love hearing the old systems they are much better than the modern systems of today
That’s a pretty neat school building. Also that fire alarm relay system is interesting according to those terrifying EST or System sensor systems they have at my schools that I am terrified of the noise. Bell sounds I much prefer over horns.
Thank you for watching and for your comment. Very sad indeed how many in our great nation have no respect or regard for old buildings and their history.
Old School Fire Alarms This is a nice old school. I wish people can cherish history instead of destroying it. Many old stuff are being thrown away considering them being quality made while new stuff is built cheaply. And it's awesome your dad went there. But there tearing it down?!?!?! How could they?!?!?! Well............ in many states old schools are being kept up, some are being used as something else. Also, here in Tuscaloosa in downtown, there tearing down the old YMCA building (even though it looks beautiful and they built the new one in another location), it's a shame people don't cherish much history like they should (even though many people try too). How can people destroy something that was a beautiful quality while replace it with a cheaper junk?!?! Don't they know the meaning of cherishing history?
Thank you for your thoughtful and well said comment. Unfortunately and sadly, we do live in a country where many people could care less about their history and the beauty of old architecture. We live in a "Just throw it away" culture and "Lets get a new one" mentality. We also live with many people who are extremely wasteful and unappreciative of what they do have. There is an old expression, "You don't know what you have until its gone." So very true.
There maybe reasons to tear down buildings (the ones that are in bad shape) but the good shape ones, why? Even though there are many historical things still here because of how historical they are (the ones listed on the national historical list, something like that). What are the true reasons it's cheaper to build a new school? You said that construction companies convinced school district that it's cheaper to build a new school then remodeling the old ones, you did say in some cases this is true. Maybe I can guess a few, not a lot of room because of the world growing popularity, occasional health problems, occasional problems with school electricity, water, and maybe gas, and maybe a little more safety. well, couldn't they at least use a land where they can cut down trees and build the new schools the staff destroying the old ones?
What a waste for a sturdy building. I'm glad you're saving the system as always. I'd like to see a video pulling the trip bells and in the process of removing the system
They don't technically use explosives to demolish these schools as they mostly use the excavators, and sledgehammers to tear them down. So typically if the old boilers are going down with the building they will likely have to be removed by crane after the school is demolished, and the rubble cleared.
My district is sadly in the process of replacing its old Autocall bell systems and some old Simplex systems with new FireLite/System Sensor L Series speaker strobes.
This is only for entertainment, not for negetivity, this is my skit on the Vandals: Derek the Vandal: Hey Buster, let's go break into Hotchkiss Elementary!!! Buster: Great idea, Derek!! (They get into the building) Buster: Wow!!!! Look at this place!!! Derek: I know right?, hey, what's this red box with the hammer do? (He swings it up & the glass breaks) Trouble Bell: BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Buster: Oh wow!! An old Fire Alarm System!!! 10" Autocall Single Stroke Bells: DING DING DING DING!!! Buster: Let's go steal the fire alarm system!!!! Derek: Yeah! Let's do it!!!! (They steal the panel & the bells) Derek: you're coming with me Single Stroke Bell!! 10" Autocall Single Stroke Bell in the boiler room: Don't steal me!!!!! I didn't do anything!!! I'm Frozen Fan 765's favorite alarm in this building because of my beautiful sound!!! Buster: That's because the acoustics affects the sound of you Derek: Let's go!!!! 10" Autocall Bell in the boiler room: NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Me ( Frozen Fan 765): Wow!!!! I can't believe those stupid vandals got into the building, I really wanted to bell in the boiler room My Girlfriend: That sucks, I really liked the 10" Autocall bell in the boiler room too
Schools like this one McKinley, George Barber, and Goodrich. One with the styles and older Architecture that visually are masterpieces of old century styles that you just don't see anymore.
You and I are on the same page. After all these older schools are gone, they (meaning the school districts) will wish they had preserved at least one of these architectural treasures and made it a museum.
I'm curious of a couple things with this system, one is what in the panel senses four rounds and makes it time out and stop on its own without resetting the pull box? I know there's no electronics here due to its age and second, what happens after it has timed out and the pull box hasn't been reset yet? Does it cause a trouble signal? Can the button be pushed back in for a few seconds and released to set it off again? I'm sure it's simple engineering lol that's what's nice about these old systems, is their simplicity...
Great questions!! To answer your first question, there is a relay marked "J" that is mounted in the lower left hand side of the panel. This relay prevents the code motor from running continuously after an alarm. Relay J de-energizes relay B thereby causing the trouble bell on the left side of the panel to ring until the glass in the operated pull station is replaced and reset. To answer your 2nd question, if the operated pull station is not reset, the trouble bell will continue to ring until it is. Anytime there is an open circuit or the system is in alarm mode, the trouble bell will ring.
Hundreds of old schools across the US are being demolished and most of the vintage fire alarm systems and other historical artifacts contained within these buildings are being destroyed.
I hate Vandals!!!! They destroy everything!!!! Last few times I passed this school from Interstate 76, I noticed the windows were busted. That sucks the fire alarm system is gone, my mom tried to get me the Bell in the boiler room when I was 14, which that's how old I was when this video was uploaded. The good news is, I have 2 10" Autocall Single Stroke bells already, there's even a video of it on my channel
Which Fire Alarms are still in the Building? Not trying to be rude at all & as well as the one in the video of Firestone Park Elementary's System. I'm just curious because if the one in the boiler room is still there, I'll be happy to preserve her from being scrapped or I'll try to take what ever is in the building
Very good question! A vibrating 10 inch bell is definitely more painful to the ears then a single stroke bell. But the vibrating horns (buzzers) have them all beat when it comes to loudness.
Do u know any other schools that have single stroke bells in them that u could demonstrate? I like single stroke bells. My high school had them but it was a standard electric time company system. The bells were coded so that each area of the school had its own code
Hello Bryce, this fire alarm was a single stroke bell system with the 4-4-4-4 cadence marching code. I will be producing more films demonstrating single stroke bell systems in the future. Thank you for watching.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms Because my high school Fairport Harbor (about 30 minutes from Cleveland) did the exact same thing. It no longer has the autocall system, they replaced it with Gentex horn/strobes 10 years ago. They will probably tear Fairport down within the next 4 years, the town just passed a levy for it.
@@matthewtaipale4112 Yes, that's what most school districts do. They just keep tearing down the older schools and replace them with cheaper built newer ones.
One round sounding off should be enough to signal for a fire or drill, especially in a smaller building. But you could pull the fire alarm again if you wanted it to sound off another 4 rounds of the code 4-4-4-4.
I notice that the 10" Autocall bell at 12:19 sounds very different than the ones at 7:37 & 8:30. I love the way the one in the Boiler room sounds, why does it sound different than the ones in the Hallway?
The bell in the boiler room is only one bell in a small room compared to many bells going off in the hallways. The number of bells and the size of the area where the bells are located effects the sound of the bells because of the acoustics.
Nice vid! I've always wondered what those light bulbs next to the trouble bells were for. Interesting how this system will stop after 4 rounds of code whereas IBM systems (at least from what I'm told) will keep going as long as the circuits are active. Did you end up replacing the glass in the pull, or did you just abandon the system as-is?
After filming, I did replace the glass and reset the pull station. That is true about old IBM control panels. You had to reset the pull station and/or actuation device to stop the control panel. Thank you for watching and for your question.
Please be advised that these types of vintage Autocall pull stations do come up on eBay from time to time. Just keep checking on a regular basis and you will see them for sale/auction.
Ashame the Original Exit Signs have been replaced with battery backup LED, the Original Exit Signs were likely REALLY COOL! Likely Glass and Steel boxes, utilizing 25 watt medium base bulbs💯, current NFPA and OSHA standards REQUIRES Battery Backup Exit Signs, where NO backup Generator is present, Circuit only supplies 120 vac. With no secondary backup for emergency Circuit, In such a Circuit that utilize an emergency Circuit, the Cable from the wall or ceiling would have A black wire "HOT" side 120 vac, one white "Neutral" side, but also a "Red" wire , Red wired to one black wire of the exit sign, the black to a second black wire from the exit sign, and the neutral, however these were later 1950's where large dry cell batteries would keep one socket in the exit sign illuminated in the event of power failure until the battery drained completely, and would not be recharged until 120 vac power restored💯
I've found one of those pull stations on EBAY AND IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION AND IT'S GOT WHITE PAINT ON THE LETTERING SO I ADDED THE PULL STATION TO MY WATCH LIST , BUT I DO HAVE QUICK QUESTION ABOUT IT THE LISTING SAID THAT IT WAS TRIPED AND THERE'S NO GLASS WITH IT SO IF I GET THE PULL STATION IS THERE A WAY TO OBTAIN THE GLASS FOR THE PULL STATION IN CASE I GET A PANEL?
That's where most of them were. Two bells on each floor, one at each end of the hallways, one in the boiler room, and one in the gym that was also used as a cafeteria and auditorium.
That is so cool, I pass this Building most of the time I go to Ellet & Kent, I see this Building & the one from "The Abandoned Fire Alarm". I passed it when we went to pick up my Birthday Cake from Walmart, which my birthday was Monday last week, I'm now 19. I also passed this Building a few time on the way to work & told my Job coach about your channel & this School. Keep up the good work & best wishes!!!
My favorite fire alarm is not in this building. My favorite is the one that was in George Barber School. I love the 10-inch brass trip bell and the horns when they sound off.
These keys were made especially for Autocall. Unfortunately, Autocall is no longer in business, therefore they are no longer made. They do show up on eBay from time to time. Go to eBay and type in, VINTAGE AUTOCALL FIRE ALARM STATION KEY, and one may show up. Good luck.
Since the videos are for educational purposes, the various school districts grant me permission. They also understand that these old fire alarm systems will soon be gone forever. Therefore, I am documenting and archiving as many as I can before its too late. Thanks for watching.
I'm not impressed with the way how they design modern schools unlike the ones from the early 1900s- 1950s. The ones made today they just resemble like wharehouses and small. Inside of them just looks like storage buildings. They do look nice but ugly.
Old School Fire Alarms I need some help. Can you email me and I can send you a pic of the panel. I know FA + and - and F + and - are the 110 power inputs. Just need to know the curcuit inputs and the horn outputs. And if these are series horns or parallel. I don't seem to have balancing resistors in this panel like my Edwards and Acme panels have. ademco1000 gmail
As of right now, this particular school is still standing and the old fire alarm system is still there. I hope to salvage the entire fire alarm system before the school is sold and/or demolished.
Unfortunately my old High School, which is East High School in Akron, Ohio, has been renovated and has a brand new fire alarm system. The old one was a pull rod system tied into an Autocall system using 10 inch single stroke bells. That old entire system was dismantled, pulled out and thrown away.
Old School Fire Alarms that's cool. There aren't much old fire alarm systems around anymore so your quite lucky to have them, plus it's nice to know that some people collect them.
First one, the mechanical FACPs you've collected, do you sometimes experiment by hooking up any signaling device to a panel? Second, have you heard anything yet when this school, Hotchkiss will be demolished?
@@ThePurpleMage1 The bells are off a little due to the mercury tube switches. The liquid mercury that is inside the glass tubes do not always come in strong contact with the electric contacts that are inside the mercury tube switches. When this happens it can disrupt the cadence sound of the bells.
@@TexasRailfan2008 Yes, there are many different types of vintage fire alarm control panels for sale. They can range anywhere between $250.00 to $1,500, all depending on what type and condition the panels are in. The older and more rare the panels are, the more expensive they generally are. Especially if they are in really good to excellent working condition.
@@Swxcoyxte Many windows are busted out, roof is badly leaking just about everywhere, most of the electrical hardware has been stolen, etc., etc. The building is completely trashed on the inside too. The whole school has been vandalized beyond repair.
Drove past there today, it’s very sad to see the condition the building is in now. Even as it rots away, you can still see the the beauty it has. The front exterior is extremely gorgeous, all the terra cotta medallions and nice masonry work really catch my eye. There are very few schools left that were designed by architect M.M Konarski. At one time there were 18 school buildings he designed that had those terra cotta medallions and beautiful masonry work on their facades. Now there’s only 4 left and 3/4 are completely abandoned, the only one still in use is North High. When they sold these schools, I wish they would’ve made sure these buildings were sold to qualified buyers that had the capital and a solid plan for them. Most of these buildings were unfortunately purchased for tax-write offs. Every building they sold is just sitting and rotting. It’s depressing to watch these historical school buildings fall into disrepair as they had a lot of potential to be adaptively reused and were still solid. Hotchkiss was in decent shape when it was up for auction but now it’s sadly too far gone, whenever they demo it, I just hope all those medallions can be salvaged.
I love watching old electromechanical and mechanical tech work! Simplicity at its finest!
ME TOO ! Thank you for watching.
There’s something about these old alarms that make me wish I went to an older school. I really love your videos
Thank you for watching and your comment, most appreciated.
Always love watching your videos! So cool to see that Ohio still has many of these panels in operation. I live in Ontario, Canada, and we hardly have any rare systems, let alone any codes ones. All the schools in my area got upgraded in 2003-2005 with new systems, only a select few remain, and I'm trying my hardest to preserve them.
I am happy to hear that you are doing your part in saving historical fire safety artifacts. Keep up the good work.
Excellent! Adding the walk-through and brief history of the building in addition to the demonstration provides a context to better understand the systems that are there and their evolution through the years.
Seems like 4-4-4 was the temporal code of the mid-20th century - very common with the non-coded systems that didn't do straight march time.
Thanks for watching and for your comment. Most appreciated.
These bells sound beautiful!
I've noticed that on these old systems, you rarely see replacement parts. I think it is because they were so good quality. BTW, thanks for the video!
These systems were built like tanks and made to last, unlike the junk that is made today. Thank you so much for watching and for your great observation.
Another awesome demonstration from an old school! There's actually an old school in my area that's been abandoned for years (owned by a real estate firm after the district shut the schools down in the 90's - one of them was built in the 1920's, and the other adjacent to it was built in the 50's) that I might ask the local government if I can salvage the alarms from because they're going to be demolishing both schools to make way for a housing development.
That would be great if you can save and collect any old artifacts before the buildings are destroyed. Wishing you the best.
Thank you.
People just want to create more problems in our society than how it is. If older things were better than modern ones then why not keep them? People aren't looking into reality.
I can't right now.
Nice vintage boilers
It's a damn shame that your not able to make this kind of content regularly. These school systems don't care about their old schools enough. Where I'm from, all the old school were turned into community complexes. One particular school now houses a brewery, axe throwing place, among other things.
I wish more school districts/communities would repurpose there old school buildings instead of tearing them down. Thank you for your comment.
How about not tearing down the building giving a full detail for retail and reopening as either a school or something else I hate it when old world buildings are destroyed
that was cool how you showed how the fire pull stations worked by breaking the glass too
Thank you !
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms your welcome keep up the great old fire alarm videos love hearing the old systems they are much better than the modern systems of today
That’s a pretty neat school building. Also that fire alarm relay system is interesting according to those terrifying EST or System sensor systems they have at my schools that I am terrified of the noise. Bell sounds I much prefer over horns.
The bells are switched on & off by mercury in a glass tube, awesome!
I love the old bells they used to have them at my school but got replaced by wheelocks and mini miz horns
In-depth video of a beautiful, old building. It's sad they plan to tear it down.
Thank you for watching and for your comment. Very sad indeed how many in our great nation have no respect or regard for old buildings and their history.
Old School Fire Alarms
This is a nice old school. I wish people can cherish history instead of destroying it. Many old stuff are being thrown away considering them being quality made while new stuff is built cheaply. And it's awesome your dad went there. But there tearing it down?!?!?! How could they?!?!?! Well............ in many states old schools are being kept up, some are being used as something else. Also, here in Tuscaloosa in downtown, there tearing down the old YMCA building (even though it looks beautiful and they built the new one in another location), it's a shame people don't cherish much history like they should (even though many people try too). How can people destroy something that was a beautiful quality while replace it with a cheaper junk?!?! Don't they know the meaning of cherishing history?
Thank you for your thoughtful and well said comment. Unfortunately and sadly, we do live in a country where many people could care less about their history and the beauty of old architecture. We live in a "Just throw it away" culture and "Lets get a new one" mentality. We also live with many people who are extremely wasteful and unappreciative of what they do have. There is an old expression, "You don't know what you have until its gone." So very true.
There maybe reasons to tear down buildings (the ones that are in bad shape) but the good shape ones, why? Even though there are many historical things still here because of how historical they are (the ones listed on the national historical list, something like that). What are the true reasons it's cheaper to build a new school? You said that construction companies convinced school district that it's cheaper to build a new school then remodeling the old ones, you did say in some cases this is true. Maybe I can guess a few, not a lot of room because of the world growing popularity, occasional health problems, occasional problems with school electricity, water, and maybe gas, and maybe a little more safety.
well, couldn't they at least use a land where they can cut down trees and build the new schools the staff destroying the old ones?
I hope you can get the old alarms from it. Including the control box.
I will for sure. Thanks for watching!
Awesome piece of American Fire Safety devices.
I just realized the brand for those boilers is Heggie-Simplex. Kind of a coincidence.
that trouble bell is loud as hell
Doris real mother of calliou ikr!
The first location of the Caroline Brevard grammar school in downtown Tallahassee Florida had a fire alarm system similar to this.
11:12 you can see they used a mercury switch for the bell encoding wheel! very cool!
I was wondering if that’s what that was! Very cool!
What a waste for a sturdy building. I'm glad you're saving the system as always. I'd like to see a video pulling the trip bells and in the process of removing the system
I will be working on that in the near future.
Those old coal boilers really creep me out. The entire boiler room really does that...
They don't technically use explosives to demolish these schools as they mostly use the excavators, and sledgehammers to tear them down. So typically if the old boilers are going down with the building they will likely have to be removed by crane after the school is demolished, and the rubble cleared.
My district is sadly in the process of replacing its old Autocall bell systems and some old Simplex systems with new FireLite/System Sensor L Series speaker strobes.
What state and district do you live in?
that sucks
I hope the fire alarm system will be saved. It's such a shame that they are going to demolish this old building.
I will do my very best to make sure the fire alarm system is saved for historical preservation. Thank you for watching and for your concern.
For more old fire alarms, find a few in a Catholic school. I went to one that had such historic alarms.
This is only for entertainment, not for negetivity, this is my skit on the Vandals:
Derek the Vandal: Hey Buster, let's go break into Hotchkiss Elementary!!!
Buster: Great idea, Derek!!
(They get into the building)
Buster: Wow!!!! Look at this place!!!
Derek: I know right?, hey, what's this red box with the hammer do? (He swings it up & the glass breaks)
Trouble Bell: BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
Buster: Oh wow!! An old Fire Alarm System!!!
10" Autocall Single Stroke Bells: DING DING DING DING!!!
Buster: Let's go steal the fire alarm system!!!!
Derek: Yeah! Let's do it!!!!
(They steal the panel & the bells)
Derek: you're coming with me Single Stroke Bell!!
10" Autocall Single Stroke Bell in the boiler room: Don't steal me!!!!! I didn't do anything!!! I'm Frozen Fan 765's favorite alarm in this building because of my beautiful sound!!!
Buster: That's because the acoustics affects the sound of you
Derek: Let's go!!!!
10" Autocall Bell in the boiler room: NOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Me ( Frozen Fan 765): Wow!!!! I can't believe those stupid vandals got into the building, I really wanted to bell in the boiler room
My Girlfriend: That sucks, I really liked the 10" Autocall bell in the boiler room too
Honestly they should make one of these schools into a museum for Fire Alarm Notation.
I could not agree more! That would be an excellent Idea.
Old School Fire Alarms I mean it's just a sin. Not only for these systems but these incredible architecture of most of these buildings.
Schools like this one McKinley, George Barber, and Goodrich. One with the styles and older Architecture that visually are masterpieces of old century styles that you just don't see anymore.
You and I are on the same page. After all these older schools are gone, they (meaning the school districts) will wish they had preserved at least one of these architectural treasures and made it a museum.
Yeah those pictures (I have no Idea what they're called) on the outside walls are priceless.
Okay just wanted to know and that's cool you're taking them to a fire alarm Museum
I'm curious of a couple things with this system, one is what in the panel senses four rounds and makes it time out and stop on its own without resetting the pull box? I know there's no electronics here due to its age and second, what happens after it has timed out and the pull box hasn't been reset yet? Does it cause a trouble signal? Can the button be pushed back in for a few seconds and released to set it off again? I'm sure it's simple engineering lol that's what's nice about these old systems, is their simplicity...
Great questions!! To answer your first question, there is a relay marked "J" that is mounted in the lower left hand side of the panel. This relay prevents the code motor from running continuously after an alarm. Relay J de-energizes relay B thereby causing the trouble bell on the left side of the panel to ring until the glass in the operated pull station is replaced and reset. To answer your 2nd question, if the operated pull station is not reset, the trouble bell will continue to ring until it is. Anytime there is an open circuit or the system is in alarm mode, the trouble bell will ring.
I went to an abandoned school in my city and now it's getting demolished. Should've checked out the fire alarm system there
Hundreds of old schools across the US are being demolished and most of the vintage fire alarm systems and other historical artifacts contained within these buildings are being destroyed.
I hate Vandals!!!! They destroy everything!!!! Last few times I passed this school from Interstate 76, I noticed the windows were busted.
That sucks the fire alarm system is gone, my mom tried to get me the Bell in the boiler room when I was 14, which that's how old I was when this video was uploaded. The good news is, I have 2 10" Autocall Single Stroke bells already, there's even a video of it on my channel
You can find some of the old horns and bells on eBay :)
I wonder if somebody could create a temporal 3 code wheel to make the system "up-to-audible-code".
Yes, that could very easily be done. I have already done it several times.
my school has these alarms there super suprising
11:08 Break the glass and the alarm will go off!
Oh, those are autocall pull stations and different systems oh. Are there vintage in there
Yes, all the fire alarm hardware is vintage (circa 1950's).
Which Fire Alarms are still in the Building? Not trying to be rude at all & as well as the one in the video of Firestone Park Elementary's System. I'm just curious because if the one in the boiler room is still there, I'll be happy to preserve her from being scrapped or I'll try to take what ever is in the building
Everything in this school with respect to the fire alarm system was either stolen or destroyed by vandals.
Which would be more painful to the ears, a 6/8/10 inch bell (vibrating OR single stroke) or a single/dual projector vibrating horn?
Very good question! A vibrating 10 inch bell is definitely more painful to the ears then a single stroke bell. But the vibrating horns (buzzers) have them all beat when it comes to loudness.
Ok
Do u know any other schools that have single stroke bells in them that u could demonstrate? I like single stroke bells. My high school had them but it was a standard electric time company system. The bells were coded so that each area of the school had its own code
Hello Bryce, this fire alarm was a single stroke bell system with the 4-4-4-4 cadence marching code. I will be producing more films demonstrating single stroke bell systems in the future. Thank you for watching.
Old School Fire Alarms
Try other schools in the country, I'm pretty sure they'll be keeping many of those schools up.
Looks like something from "A Nightmare On Elm Street".
Did you save that system before it was demolished?
If the school wanted to, is it possible to take the timer thing out so that the bells keep ringing instead of just going 4 rounds?
It is possible that one could modify the panel to go longer than just four rounds.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms Because my high school Fairport Harbor (about 30 minutes from Cleveland) did the exact same thing. It no longer has the autocall system, they replaced it with Gentex horn/strobes 10 years ago. They will probably tear Fairport down within the next 4 years, the town just passed a levy for it.
@@matthewtaipale4112 Yes, that's what most school districts do. They just keep tearing down the older schools and replace them with cheaper built newer ones.
Why couldn't you set it off with the pull rod?
If the alarm stops after one minute in a fire would you have to keep pulling the fire alarm?
One round sounding off should be enough to signal for a fire or drill, especially in a smaller building. But you could pull the fire alarm again if you wanted it to sound off another 4 rounds of the code 4-4-4-4.
Keep up the good work on UA-cam mate am a big fan of u do a rally good job on here mate hove a good day mate from Greg Bouchard
THANK YOU !!
I notice that the 10" Autocall bell at 12:19 sounds very different than the ones at 7:37 & 8:30. I love the way the one in the Boiler room sounds, why does it sound different than the ones in the Hallway?
The bell in the boiler room is only one bell in a small room compared to many bells going off in the hallways. The number of bells and the size of the area where the bells are located effects the sound of the bells because of the acoustics.
Thanks Old School Fire Alarms!!!! Me & my girlfriend love your channel & videos
@@FrozenFan765 Thank you both for watching and for your questions and comments. Most appreciated.
very interesting...
Nice vid! I've always wondered what those light bulbs next to the trouble bells were for. Interesting how this system will stop after 4 rounds of code whereas IBM systems (at least from what I'm told) will keep going as long as the circuits are active. Did you end up replacing the glass in the pull, or did you just abandon the system as-is?
After filming, I did replace the glass and reset the pull station. That is true about old IBM control panels. You had to reset the pull station and/or actuation device to stop the control panel. Thank you for watching and for your question.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms I have to ask, do these systems have spare glass pieces in the cabinet or somewhere or did you have them on you
Why didn’t you pull the rod I wanted to hear the Manuel trip bell
Was that the same pull station from the videos: old fire alarm system and case elementary fire alarm?
No, totally different systems. Thanks for watching!
This is so cool! I love your channel alot
Thank you, most appreciated.
The bells are shrill. But the horns are louder.
Can you use a battery with the Autocall to provide backup in case of power going out like the modern panels?
Yes you can.
Could u save those auto call pull and but a couple on eBay? Because I would love one of those in my system
Please be advised that these types of vintage Autocall pull stations do come up on eBay from time to time. Just keep checking on a regular basis and you will see them for sale/auction.
Does anyone know about when boilers were largely replaced with forced air?
Keep up there good work on here mate keep up there good work on UA-cam am good here mate keep up there good work on UA-cam mate
Could you please rescue the fire alarm system and the exit sign and emergency lights
I will definitely do my best to salvage those items.
Ashame the Original Exit Signs have been replaced with battery backup LED, the Original Exit Signs were likely REALLY COOL! Likely Glass and Steel boxes, utilizing 25 watt medium base bulbs💯, current NFPA and OSHA standards REQUIRES Battery Backup Exit Signs, where NO backup Generator is present, Circuit only supplies 120 vac. With no secondary backup for emergency Circuit, In such a Circuit that utilize an emergency Circuit, the Cable from the wall or ceiling would have A black wire "HOT" side 120 vac, one white "Neutral" side, but also a "Red" wire , Red wired to one black wire of the exit sign, the black to a second black wire from the exit sign, and the neutral, however these were later 1950's where large dry cell batteries would keep one socket in the exit sign illuminated in the event of power failure until the battery drained completely, and would not be recharged until 120 vac power restored💯
I've found one of those pull stations on EBAY AND IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION AND IT'S GOT WHITE PAINT ON THE LETTERING SO I ADDED THE PULL STATION TO MY WATCH LIST , BUT I DO HAVE QUICK QUESTION ABOUT IT THE LISTING SAID THAT IT WAS TRIPED AND THERE'S NO GLASS WITH IT SO IF I GET THE PULL STATION IS THERE A WAY TO OBTAIN THE GLASS FOR THE PULL STATION IN CASE I GET A PANEL?
You will have to go to a glass cutter and have some made.
Where are all the 10" Autocall Bells located in this Building? I know they're in the Hallway & the Boiler room
That's where most of them were. Two bells on each floor, one at each end of the hallways, one in the boiler room, and one in the gym that was also used as a cafeteria and auditorium.
That is so cool, I pass this Building most of the time I go to Ellet & Kent, I see this Building & the one from "The Abandoned Fire Alarm". I passed it when we went to pick up my Birthday Cake from Walmart, which my birthday was Monday last week, I'm now 19.
I also passed this Building a few time on the way to work & told my Job coach about your channel & this School. Keep up the good work & best wishes!!!
Thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!@@FrozenFan765
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms You're welcome & thank you
Do you guys ever get 10” single stroke code 3?? If you do try to make a video on them!!
I will try and do that. Thanks for watching.
Akron Ohio... demolishing more old buildings like always
You are so right !!
Do you have a favorite Fire Alarm in this building? My favorite is the 10" Autocall bell in the Boiler Room
My favorite fire alarm is not in this building. My favorite is the one that was in George Barber School. I love the 10-inch brass trip bell and the horns when they sound off.
That's awesome!!!!! Do you own any of the 10" Brass Bells from George Barber?
@@FrozenFan765 yes he does
I was in this school omg
Where do you get a triangular key like that?
These keys were made especially for Autocall. Unfortunately, Autocall is no longer in business, therefore they are no longer made. They do show up on eBay from time to time. Go to eBay and type in, VINTAGE AUTOCALL FIRE ALARM STATION KEY, and one may show up. Good luck.
thank you. I don't know why I didn't think of that before!
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms autocall is brought back by tyco SimplexGrinnell
How do you not get in trouble for doing this? It's kinda cool but weird!
Since the videos are for educational purposes, the various school districts grant me permission. They also understand that these old fire alarm systems will soon be gone forever. Therefore, I am documenting and archiving as many as I can before its too late. Thanks for watching.
Nice video!
Thank you for watching and for your comment. Most appreciated.
That another *big* elementary school
I'm not impressed with the way how they design modern schools unlike the ones from the early 1900s- 1950s. The ones made today they just resemble like wharehouses and small. Inside of them just looks like storage buildings. They do look nice but ugly.
Was this school demolished?
Is this a coded auto call?
Yes, this is a coded control panel. The code on the code wheel is the cadence march code, 4-4-4-4.
I recently came across one of these. Do you happen to know the termainal layouts?
Yes, I do know the terminal layout.
Old School Fire Alarms I need some help. Can you email me and I can send you a pic of the panel. I know FA + and - and F + and - are the 110 power inputs. Just need to know the curcuit inputs and the horn outputs. And if these are series horns or parallel. I don't seem to have balancing resistors in this panel like my Edwards and Acme panels have. ademco1000 gmail
Send your pictures and email me at, gljmab@sbcglobal.net.
Could the fire alarm activated from the panel
Great question, no you can not activate the system via the control panel.
Did you save the bells
As of right now, this particular school is still standing and the old fire alarm system is still there. I hope to salvage the entire fire alarm system before the school is sold and/or demolished.
Were the fire alarms tested between the school's closure and his video recording then after this recording?
Yes, yes, and yes.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms Are you usually the one who tests them?
@@sigglass2183 Yes I am.
Have you gotten the alarms from here?
No, the fire alarm system was destroyed by vandals.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms thanks a lot Vandals, you ruin everything!!!
What is the glass ball of lightning below the code wheel?
It's mercury.
You should do your old high school
Unfortunately my old High School, which is East High School in Akron, Ohio, has been renovated and has a brand new fire alarm system. The old one was a pull rod system tied into an Autocall system using 10 inch single stroke bells. That old entire system was dismantled, pulled out and thrown away.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms They just had to ruin history, huh?!
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms Thx for the like man. I just wish ruining, destroying, etc, and etc, history would be illegal around the wrld for eternity
@@bigsebby3799 Yes, I agree. There is a terrible price to be paid when you try and erase or forget history.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms The Abandoned Fire Alarm?
Since it's 1800 school
Demolished?
This school is still standing but heavily vandalized.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms rip
@@theray2009 rip…
Are those single stroke bells or auto call
They are 10 inch, single stroke bells made by Autocall.
was the school taken down already
This school is still standing.
why is there a bell in 10:35? Is it the same bells as the ones near the rods?
No, these are 10 inch electric, single stroke bells. The bells near the pull rods are 8 inch manual trip bells.
Do you ever get to keep the panels?
Yes, I collect them before the buildings are demolished.
Old School Fire Alarms that's cool. There aren't much old fire alarm systems around anymore so your quite lucky to have them, plus it's nice to know that some people collect them.
First one, the mechanical FACPs you've collected, do you sometimes experiment by hooking up any signaling device to a panel? Second, have you heard anything yet when this school, Hotchkiss will be demolished?
When the phone rings
I know this is of subject, but what are the boilers for? Heating?
Yes, for heating the building.
Okay, I though so but i wasn't sure. Thanks!
how bad is the school's current condition?
Super bad, like needs to be demolished bad. Very sad what happened to this school. I will be posting a new video on this school soon.
I'm excited to see it when will the upload be?
@@Vigilance108 Before this summer.
Oh ok thanks
@@OldSchoolFireAlarmsIs the school still up as of 2024?
Is it still standing?!
Yes, this school is still standing but has been severely vandalized.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms I thought it was going to be demolished
@@bigsebby3799 It will be demolished in the near future.
Do they have raidter heaters
I'm not sure, that is something I didn't pay attention to when I was in the building.
They could have radiant floor heating.
Why did they close the school
The school was closed to lack of students and re-districting some of the school buildings.
The codewheel doesn't seem to be turning very smoothly
The code wheel was working just fine. What you may be seeing is some distortion in the video playback. This happens sometimes with You Tube videos.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms I was more saying this because of the sound. The bells were not ringing at a constant rate
@@ThePurpleMage1 The bells are off a little due to the mercury tube switches. The liquid mercury that is inside the glass tubes do not always come in strong contact with the electric contacts that are inside the mercury tube switches. When this happens it can disrupt the cadence sound of the bells.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms oh that makes sense
is there any way i could get one of the single stroke bells possibly i looked all over the internet and i couldn't find any time of single stroke bell
Yes, go to OldSchoolFireAlarms.com , you can buy one there. Just click on the CONTACT page and tell them what you want.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms are there any FACPs for sale? What would be the price range if so?
Go to OldSchoolFireAlarms.com and leave a message asking about what you want to buy.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms ok! will do
@@TexasRailfan2008 Yes, there are many different types of vintage fire alarm control panels for sale. They can range anywhere between $250.00 to $1,500, all depending on what type and condition the panels are in. The older and more rare the panels are, the more expensive they generally are. Especially if they are in really good to excellent working condition.
Wtf how does this place have power still
The power is left on for security purposes.
Question, as demolition time approaches, when will they cut the power off?
that motor sounds like a car xD
lol true
Okay thank you are you going are you going to give the devices away
They will be donated to fire museums.
Was this the only school that had the hinge knocker or hammer to activate the alarm
No, there were many more schools that had this type of pull station with the knocker and/or hammer.
Has this place been demolished yet?
No, this school is still standing but in really bad shape.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms wow
How is it in bad shape like what makes it in bad shape
You should do a revisit vid like u did with Bette's elementary if it's safe
@@Swxcoyxte Many windows are busted out, roof is badly leaking just about everywhere, most of the electrical hardware has been stolen, etc., etc. The building is completely trashed on the inside too. The whole school has been vandalized beyond repair.
Is this school still closed as of this writing?
Yes, this school is closed, abandoned and in decay.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms Is the fire alarm system sill there with the power still on?
@@sigglass2183 Most of the fire alarm system has been removed and power to the building has been shut-off.
@@OldSchoolFireAlarms How long ago did you remove them?
@@sigglass2183 Shortly before the school was sold to a private owner, approximately two years ago.
omg it has light bulbs