Why are Simplex Brand fire alarm systems so expensive?
Simplex Fire Alarm Systems are expensive and here are some of the reasons:
Simplex brand fire alarm systems will do things that other brands do not do and the quality is higher than most brands if not all other brands. Simplex Fire Alarm Systems last longer than most systems.
Some people will say that the alarm brand they sell is UL listed and so it is just as good although there is a reason that we have many Simplex systems still functioning fine after 35 years when most systems have to be replaced after 10 or 15 years.
Technology changes and one example is computer chips have changed in size over the several years so a system we sold 35 years ago does not have replacement parts because no one can get or makes those old chip sets. With new technology come new features.
Simplex has many new features such as the ALMOST DIRTY report letting a building manager or facility manager know which detectors need to be cleaned NEXT.
Simplex also has Safe Linc using the CS Gateway allowing owners to get notifications and reports on their cell phones from their systems. Last week we had a School District that was telling us how much they liked seeing all their schools on one app and they get reports when batteries are in trouble and then they can know what they need to take with them before driving out to the school.
Simplex will network better than most other brands and we can network many systems together. We have many options when it comes to remote panels and annunciators. The color touch screens and the high quality is visible when just looking at other systems.
Simplex has redundant power supplies if you need your system configured that way. For Airports, Hospitals and Data Centers often the requirements are a step above normal buildings so the system can have redundant power supplies so if one fails the backup power supply just takes over. This is not standard when it comes to most brands. Sure fire alarm systems have backup batteries although if the power supply fails you can rest assured your system will continue to function.
Simplex has addressable horn strobes, addressable speaker strobes, strobes and speakers so testing is much better for the customer. We don’t have to set off the sound and lights for long periods of time. We can quickly have the system test itself and we can tell you which horn strobes or speakers strobes have issues and we can print a report for the fire marshal and for your records. If they want to test them one at a time we have the ability to do that as well and it just sets off each one quickly as you walk to each one.
In factories or sensitive areas this is great because it does not disrupt your work every year or every time you test the system.
Here at Johnson Controls Fire Protection we have a very large team of designers that are NICET III and IV certified. This means that we are well versed in the code requirements for NFPA 72, IBC, NEC and IFC as well as R710-which is the local Utah code with exceptions. Our fire alarm designs are very professional and the CAD works is excellent.
Just like luxury products Not everyone can afford to install Simplex brand fire alarm systems and so Johnson Controls Fire Protection now has the FOUNDATION Fire Alarm Series panels that come in conventional and addressable options and the cost is much less than the larger systems and they are not proprietary so even an owner or an Electrical Contractor can program them.
The Foundation Series will not network and it is not the system you would want if you have a large building with complicated systems although for a small to medium building where you are monitoring flow, tamper and you have a basic system this is perfect contact Larry Love below for more information and pricing on the foundation series systems.
The Simplex 4100ES panel can have up to 3000 points on it and can network to several other 4100ES panels to handle any size system.
Simplex can tie into VESDA, Smoke Control Systems, HVAC Systems and can tie into building management systems.
The Simplex 4100ES is UL listed to connect up to 100 suppression panels to just one Simplex panel which is unheard of. When comparing Simplex to any other brand it is superior in almost all cases.
Simplex /Johnson Controls is a very large international fire alarm company so you can trust that we will stand behind our product and we will always be here. We have been in business for over 100 years and each of our offices has the ability to service any size project. Currently we are finishing up the Salt Lake City International Airport fire alarm.
I could keep typing and if you actually read through this report I would be amazed. If you have any corrections or feedback please contact me at 801 898 6003 which is my cell phone and my email is Larry.Love@jci.com my name is Larry Love with Johnson Controls Fire Protection in Salt Lake City and I would be happy to bid out your fire alarm project for you. Just send over plans and specifications and I can get working on it. If you don’t have plans we can create them for you and we can design the system to current code requirements.