SimplexGrinnell

From Fire Alarm Wiki

SimplexGrinnell is a company specializing in life safety systems, communications equipment, time clocks, and maintenance, testing, and inspection services. SimplexGrinnell was founded in 2001 when Simplex Time Recorder Co. and Grinnell Fire Protection merged. SimplexGrinnell is the largest fire protection company in the world, and is owned by Tyco International.

[edit] History

Simplex's origins can be traced as far back as 1894, when the company patented one of the first electric time clocks, along with synchronized clock systems. In 1958, Simplex bought out IBM's time division, which also included their fire protection systems division. Originally, Simplex's fire alarm line simply consisted of relabeled IBM devices, but they began to introduce their own products starting in the early 1960's. Most of Simplex's notification appliances were relabeled Benjamin Electric (4030 series, bells), Federal Signal (4040 series, 9806, SelecTone), Faraday (4050/1, 9833, 9838, bells/chimes), and Autocall (bells) devices. Simplex's time division began to lose market share, but their newly-founded fire alarm division significantly prospered. In the early 1970's, Simplex introduced the 4208-series conventional control panels, along with their first visual signaling devices, the 4050-80 series. Around this time, Simplex also introduced the iconic "T-bar" style pull station, which is still manufactured today. In 1979, Simplex introduced the industry's first multiplex fire alarm control panel (2100), and in 1981, introduced the popular 2120-series. The 2120 could be configured as conventional or addressable, and featured a vacuum fluorescent display screen, DOS-based EEPROM programming, built-in printer, and a voice evacuation option. Though flexible and robust, these systems were often criticized for being difficult to operate and troubleshoot. In 1988, the 2120 was replaced with the 4020, 4100, and 4120 series panels. In 1993, Simplex began manufacturing their own notification appliances with the 4903-9xxx series, and in 2001, Simplex introduced the TrueAlert-series, cited as being the industry's first addressable notification appliances which can be tested individually without activating the entire system.

[edit] Current Products

Today, SimplexGrinnell markets its 4005, 4006, 4008, 4010, and 4100U fire alarm control panels, along with the TrueAlert-series notification appliances, TrueAlarm smoke detectors, and a variety of accessories. SimplexGrinnell also installs and services burglar alarm systems, PA systems, and nurse call systems. They also provides 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.