Safe and sound

Triple tamper protection consisting of wall, lid and screw tampers using high quality lever microswitches maintains maximum security.

IP65 sealed electronics prevent the ingress of moisture, allowing the Odyssey 3 to perform in even the harshest of environmental conditions. Twin piezo sounders produce an exceptionally loud alarm, suitable for the most remote locations.

When Bench Tested in the July 2001 edition, our experts concluded: "The Odyssey 3 is a very neat, attractively designed external sounder and strobe unit.

"Resistance to physical frontal attack is high, with all the sensitive components, including the strobe flash tube, shielded behind a robust inner cover.

"The Engineer Hold-Off Mode, which ensures perfect peace during installation and servicing visits, makes it a very installer-friendly unit."

Tangible benefits
The design brief for the Ceqmet, according to CQR, was for a no-nonsense affordable metal sounder with integral strobe, and a specification suitable for a wide variety of applications. The backplate is manufactured from 1.2mm galvanised steel, the cover from 1.2mm stainless steel. The electronics are further protected by a 1.2mm galvanised inner cover that covers not just the PCB but also the twin piezos and rechargeable battery.

For ease of installation, the inner cover can be hooked onto the top of the backplate into specially designed slots. The inner cover then acts as a tray, which the engineer can use to hold his screws, screwdrivers and cutters.

The Ceqmet was Bench Tested in our May 2001 edition, when our experts concluded: "It is an excellent piece of equipment, designed and produced to a high standard at a very decent price. The good looks, metal construction and high output will make it a first choice for commercial installations.

"The ability to monitor the integrity of the trigger line, NiCad and piezo offers tangible benefits to the installer at no great cost."

Optional metal shroud
The Belle has an innovative design: due to popular demand Pyronix designed and manufactured a 1.5mm low carbon steel shroud for this twin piezo external sounder. For high-risk installations this provides a formidable deterrent. The shroud is zinc-plated with an additional passivation to provide all-weather protection against corrosion. Also, the stringent three-way tamper action on the Belle itself (back, front and loss of power) also adds to the high security specification.

The Belle has been specifically designed to make installations easier by making the front and PCB covers re-attachable. This allows the installer to work on the unit without also having to hold onto each protective casing or having to make successive trips up and down the ladder.

  When they looked at the unit last year our Bench Testers wrote: "The design of the enclosure is such that maximum light output is obtained from a single strobe flash tube and is effective even during daylight.

"It has been designed for easy installation and maintenance, with all components easily replaced. The test link feature should appeal to installers."

Sense with sound
Bosch (formerly Detection Systems) has launched the Soundsense bell box range offering a blend of "aesthetics, quality and performance at a competitive price". Manufactured in polycarbonate, both the construction and system technology have been designed to assist in rapid installation.

With the choice of red or blue lenses, the unit allows the strobe light to be seen from all angles. Soundsense can be mounted vertically or horizontally and comes with a choice of one or two 112dB sounders. Dummy bell boxes are also available.

Palm-sized
Micotech Signalling's Flashguard MinneXE is a fully functional palm-sized sounder/strobe unit, for internal use only. Its new design gives it a sleek low profile appearance, with a white housing and a blue backplate lens. It gets around height restrictions and other obstructions posed by full-sized sounders.

It has a maximum sound output of 108dB at 1m and includes SAB/SCB modes of operation with an adjustable three to 12 minute timer option. Front and back tampers are standard and the unit features a 6v NiMH serviceable battery.

A five second engineer's test link also makes installation quicker.

Added to range
Micotech has also added the Xcluder to its Flashguard range. The horizontally mounted brushed stainless steel model has a blue lens, a 2mm mild steel backplate and internal shroud.

The lens contains a separate low current high visibility xenon strobe for easy replacement and dual high visibility LEDs, with a diagnostic feature allowing the installer to isolate faults.

The unit has a timer option of nine or 15 minutes with twin piezos giving 118dB maximum output at 1m. It also features SAB/SCB modes of operation and an 8.4v NiMH serviceable battery.

Screw, back and shroud tampers are fitted as standard.

Installation and maintenance has been made simple with a flying lead plug for quick disassembly of the lens/strobe unit. It also has a five second test link.

   Explosion-proof sounders
From European Safety Systems come more recent versions of the 110 and 113dB (A) BEx explosion-proof sounders. The Appello has been designed for use in hazardous areas both on and off-shore.

The unit has a single alarm stage, with a choice of ten tones that can be combined with a 16-second recorded message.

There are three types of tone to indicate Toxic Gas Alarm, General Alarm and Prepare to Abandon Platform warnings. Warnings can be reinforced with voice messages, or the unit can be used as a voice-only annunciator, with the clarity of messages being ensured by using direct digital storage and non-volatile memory.

The BEx Appello operates from 24v DC, 15v AC and 230v AC power supplies, with low current draw at all voltages. The unit is IP66 rated.