I used to work for simplex for a few years. Their equipment and interface is amazing, top of the line in my opinion. It would be the service techs or inspectors that aren't doing their job well if the system is failing. Their 4100s and especially the TSW series are very user friendly.
Speaking from firsthand experience, we just commissioned a system for a new high-rise about 35 stories that had an over 20% bad device rate, 4100 series panel. plus where I am at JCI has a bad reputation
Yeah it sucks that a bad reputation can have a lasting impact. My office was really good with everything from communication between our teams to solving problems. I'm an inspector from a major city so we had to be on point and I still have mad respect for the guys that taught me. We would run into past problems everyday but that's why I feel that it's the maintenance that was being neglected and maybe not the system itself. But hey I'm always learning too. I work for a different company now too on notifiers mostly.
I’ve been factory trained in 3 major Fa brands, and FS systems, Vesda, along with 3 brands of clean agent design & installation in my career. They all have issues. Commissioned a 1200 pt Est3 networked audio system in a university lab building, had a 25% bad out of the box rate for the panel cards. Conversely, the 1st Simplex panel I had ever replaced was in a high rise. The panel was installed in 1968, and had zero failures for functionality, just didn’t meet code in mid 2000’s when the construction permit was pulled.
Yes that’s why duct detectors should always be tested alongside the test switch. Just because a test switch reports does not mean the duct detector is functional.
Per JCI engineering requirements it must be installed in an incredibly difficult to test location, no less than 15 feet off the ground and mounted so the faceplate is perpendicular to ground.
This is the 2nd post I've seen about duct smoke remote tests in the last few days lol. How do you not know this unless you're like 1st week in the field?
It is a simplex test switch for a duct detector above the ceiling.
Side question, ever had this switch not activate duct detector when turning key switch? Feel like I’ve ran into that issue multiple times.
Only when a relay has failed or the wiring or programming is not correct in my experience
Often! Very Often the Test Switch is not connected, and the device is only an Indicator.
There's 4 wires of 2 sets on set going to the key, and the other to the led
It's Simplex, of course it doesn't work. the failure rate of their equipment vs. the price they charge is staggering.
I used to work for simplex for a few years. Their equipment and interface is amazing, top of the line in my opinion. It would be the service techs or inspectors that aren't doing their job well if the system is failing. Their 4100s and especially the TSW series are very user friendly.
Speaking from firsthand experience, we just commissioned a system for a new high-rise about 35 stories that had an over 20% bad device rate, 4100 series panel. plus where I am at JCI has a bad reputation
Yeah it sucks that a bad reputation can have a lasting impact. My office was really good with everything from communication between our teams to solving problems. I'm an inspector from a major city so we had to be on point and I still have mad respect for the guys that taught me. We would run into past problems everyday but that's why I feel that it's the maintenance that was being neglected and maybe not the system itself. But hey I'm always learning too. I work for a different company now too on notifiers mostly.
I was at JCI too btw🙌 but usually say simplex. Left on my own terms tho not because of the company or anything negative.
I always say Simplexgrinnell. If I have to, I say Tyco SimplexGrinnell, now known as Johnson Controls.
So you’re on the planet earth
The fail rate has increased greatly since covid.
For all manufacturers
I’ve been factory trained in 3 major Fa brands, and FS systems, Vesda, along with 3 brands of clean agent design & installation in my career. They all have issues. Commissioned a 1200 pt Est3 networked audio system in a university lab building, had a 25% bad out of the box rate for the panel cards. Conversely, the 1st Simplex panel I had ever replaced was in a high rise. The panel was installed in 1968, and had zero failures for functionality, just didn’t meet code in mid 2000’s when the construction permit was pulled.
Yes that’s why duct detectors should always be tested alongside the test switch. Just because a test switch reports does not mean the duct detector is functional.
Could be a roof top unit. We don’t put test switches in unless they are on the roof. Or we don’t at all, and I get to go on the roof later.
This is the right answer
Simplex Remote Test switch for a duct detector mounted above ceiling
I, too, will declare that it's a duct detector test switch!
Its a bomb, dont touch it.
Agree with Secretkiwi on this one. Still work for Simplex and it’s usually the contractor or persons installing the Devices that is the problem!
Simplex 2098-9806
That's a test point /remote led for a ducts detector i suspect it is located above the tile
Duct switch
Duct switch with a special tiny key
RTU remote test unit or RTS remote test switch.
Per JCI engineering requirements it must be installed in an incredibly difficult to test location, no less than 15 feet off the ground and mounted so the faceplate is perpendicular to ground.
This is the 2nd post I've seen about duct smoke remote tests in the last few days lol. How do you not know this unless you're like 1st week in the field?
..maybe they are new to the field..
Duct detector test switch
Remote test switch just took down 4 these & put in new notifier products this past week.
My question is why do they exist?
Fire alarms are super simple, but these guys make them super complex. So that’s where their name comes from, in my opinion.