As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/
Options
Apartmnet building intercom/fire alarms/panic buttons
werehippy
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
This is something of a long shot, given it's pretty esoteric, but does anyone happen to know anything about apartment building intercoms, fire alarms systems, or panic buttons? My father started a small wiring business, and I help out from time to time with technical specs and pricing. He's asked me to look into the above for a job he's bidding on in a new 70 unit apartment building.
The intercom system is easy enough as far as I can tell, there are two basic systems: a closed network you lay the wire down for, going between each apartment and the central box at the entrance, and a relatively simple one you just run a phone line into and then program to dial some number (land line or a cell I suppose) for each different apartment.
The fire alarms and panic buttons are somewhat trickier. I'm vaguely sure that there must be some out of the box (roughly) version of a central system for each, but I have not the foggiest about the specifics, and google isn't being especially kind. Anyone have any insight?
The intercom system is easy enough as far as I can tell, there are two basic systems: a closed network you lay the wire down for, going between each apartment and the central box at the entrance, and a relatively simple one you just run a phone line into and then program to dial some number (land line or a cell I suppose) for each different apartment.
The fire alarms and panic buttons are somewhat trickier. I'm vaguely sure that there must be some out of the box (roughly) version of a central system for each, but I have not the foggiest about the specifics, and google isn't being especially kind. Anyone have any insight?
werehippy on
0
Posts
Get a normal intercom for the sake of your residents. Its a better selling point.
but they're listening to every word I say
I personally always liked the dialing ones, but I was planning on putting in a proposal for each and letting the owner decide. Can't say I'd mind the traditional one, since it's more work and material to install and a bigger payday at the end.
It's gonna depend on if you're talking high rise or a more spread out set up. Generally they go back to a central panel and those panels may be wired together. Have you review the building codes for it?
Are you talking about actually installing these fire alarms yourself? In my state (and to my knowledge, the rest of them), you cannot install a fire system without a Fire Card. Judging by your minimal knowledge regarding them (sorry, that sounds dickish. It's not meant to be), it doesn't sound like your father has one of these. It might be best to have the contractor start taking bids from companies licensed to do fire systems, instead of getting in a heap of trouble trying to do one yourself. You lose out on the money, but you don't have the headache. It's a fair trade.
No offense taken at all, that's honestly exactly the kind of thing I need to know. I would have assumed it was fine to install the system yourself as long as it passed inspection afterwards, though I would have checked before hand.
Thanks for the info.
PSN: TheScrublet
This all the way.
And more specifically if there is a fire marshal you'll want to speak with them since they are going to do the inspection.
Generally not and the same for the alarm system usually. Not to be overly melodramatic but screwing up those systems can get people killed.
Honestly, what advantage does a "panic" button have over 911? Where does this "panic" button send its signal? To the super? A maintenance guy who knows how to patch drywall and replace a toilet seal, but knows fuck all about solving domestic disputes or stopping a hostile situation before it gets violent.
If this is something that your father is advertising, then he should already know everything about it, and what local bureaus to which the signals route. If it's something that the building owners came up with, then they need to know that it's highly ridiculous and completely unnecessary.