Vintage Pull Rod Fire Alarm @ Betty Jane Elementary

This is a pull rod fire alarm being activated at Betty Jane Elementary School in Akron, Ohio. The pull rod is tied into a Standard Electric Time Company fire alarm control panel, which is shown at the end of the video (circa 1940's). The code signal for this particular system was 2-3 which sounded four complete rounds. This school was unfortunately demolished shortly after this video was shot.

[@vishc645]

Why would they demolish a school with such classic fire alarms? It brings tears!

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

I agree with you 100%.

[@leafmk]

@@OldSchoolFireAlarms same i agree

[@steviebauer386]

I rember i had those alarms at my elemarty school and everytime we had a fire drill the alarm would scare me so bad it made my heart jump

[@slowskybby]

Advice: If a abandoned place has power still on, check for smoke alarms and motion sensors, that means the building has someone people in it.

[@ExitSign250]

Wow I never ever seen a pull station like that before!

[@heatherstabe1281]

Is it really you🥹

[@Kokoneos]

Ohhhhh I've seen that several times growing up. I remember hanging off the rod and being told not to mess with it and then being confused because I had no idea how that had anything do to with an alarm. Decades later I finally have an answer.

[@Doubled-iu4cb]

My middle school had standard electric fire alarm bells but was discontinued. Because of a simplex 4100u I saw those bells in the cafeteria and the gym

[@FrozenFan765]

I got a 10" Standard Electric Time Single Stroke bell today for Christmas

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Merry Christmas and enjoy that bell !!

[@FrozenFan765]

​@@OldSchoolFireAlarms thanks so much for the reply, I really enjoy that bell

[@ambersalcove]

the first school i remember going to when I was a kid back in the day had fire alarms with horns that sounded exactly like these and wow were they noisy

[@ZakWolf]

Standard Electric Time, huh? My college used to have some of their systems in some of the buildings, built in the early 1970s, but they had Vibratone 450 horns on flush-mount incandescent light plates and those round Standard pulls. Now they most have newer Notifier systems (one building removed the old alarms and put in the newer Wheelock Exceder horn/strobes on large adapter plates.)

[@TherealracerGaming]

Had these from 1st grade until 3rd grade. They were so loud!!! Then in fourth grade we got new speaker strobes with voice evac :)

[@sxymike12]

My school had pulleys like that would ring but didn’t activate the alarm any more, we’d still get in trouble for pulling it.

[@ExitSign250]

Oh wow that's neat system and I never knew how the term "pull station" came along thanks for telling me

[@MrWill1985]

So thats what a 1950s fire alarm panel looked like? I know now days they are computerized with the door that shows the floor plan on the panel and a control box where you can reset the alarm and the alarm sounds until its reset.

[@ExitSign250]

And also something I like about it is when you pull it it does a pre-alarm bell then the horn sounds but something that's kinda bad is in a real fire and somebody walks up to it and they might not know how to pull it

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

These types of pull-rod systems were very common in older school buildings. Schools that were built in the late 1800's up to the 1960's usually had pull-rod fire alarm systems installed. This is where the term "Pull-Station" actually came from. So, it was common knowledge that all one had to do was pull the rod down to activate the fire alarm. Most of the schools I have visited also have a fire alarm sign posted next to each pull-station.

[@ZakWolf]

Old School Fire Alarms I still have to wonder if any of Brockton MA's schools ever used those pull rods. The oldest elementary school still in use was built in 1896 and expanded in 1918, but last I saw it had no pull-rods (they probably removed them when they renovated in 1978; they put in a Simplex 4207 fire alarm system that has the break-glass T-bar pulls.) They weren't using pull-rods anymore by the 1950s in my town; my middle school built in 1957 still has its original Gamewell FlexAlarm system, but there are no pull-rods, just manual dual-action stations (they resemble the street call boxes) and old Federal horns on Continuous.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Interesting comment and observation. Thank you for sharing.

[@ZakWolf]

Any time. There's another old school building I know built in 1925 that was closed for a while but renovated and reopened in 2013. IDK if they had any pull-rod alarms, but I know previously they had an old Edwards system that was relayed into the intercom (no separate alarm signals), whivh was replaced with a Notifier NFS2-640 voice-evac system.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Lots of Edwards fire alarm systems in the New England states, especially in old school buildings.

[@Jazzdog393]

Vintage code 3!

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Actually if you listen carefully it is vintage code 2-3, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3.

[@Jazzdog393]

Thank you.@@OldSchoolFireAlarms

[@toybartley3528]

sounds like its code is 2-3 i believe the fire alarm code at my school was 3-3-3-4 idk why it has the four at the end i guess they wanted it different from others

[@shelbythibodeau5506]

I like this code 2-3.

[@a2zalarms35]

looks like the fire alarm panel at my school

[@12baumarobi]

Sounds like there is a single stroke bell somewhere in the building, did you film that one up close too? I like the bells as well as the horns:)

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

There was in fact a 10 inch single stroke bell in the boiler room. That is the bell you hear in the background. I too like the bells as well as the horns. Though I must admit that the horns are louder and better at getting your attention.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Unfortunately, I did not film the single stroke bell. Since the school was demolished over a year ago, sadly I will not be able to.

[@TomTom-dq2id]

😡 (growling) WHY DO THEY HAVE TO DESTROY OLD BUILDINGS LIKE THOSE?!?!?!?!?!!!!!

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

@@TomTom-dq2id Because they are morons.

[@jakeeves5935]

what was the code for this system it very different from the fire alarm at the cape Vincent public school wich did the cadence marching time signal I was able to get my hands on one of the old autocall control panels and it's corresponding horns and found out it a 1930s style system sadly in 2012 the system was replaced by a modern day simplex system so I'm proud to have got my hands on one of the control panels compleat with both supervisory bells code wheel and two of the horns and a trip bell that were connected to it haven't done a video on it as my channel focuses on mostly vehicles and heavy equipment

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The code on the Standard Electric Time control panel is 2-3 that does 4 rounds.

[@jakeeves5935]

@@OldSchoolFireAlarms so was this different from the autocall control panel I was able to save from my public school in cape Vincent new York Wich dose the cadence marching time signal 4444 instead of 2-3 like this one did the panel I got my hands on was a panel built in the 1930s and from what the Jefferson county fire inspector told me was standard when the system was put in sadly it was replaced by a modern day simplex system in 2013 but I'm happy to have been able to save at least one of the control panels compleat with all its circuitry and boath trouble bells and it still works great still tinkering with it to get the horns to synchronize

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

@@jakeeves5935 The Autocall panels and Standard Electric Time panels are two very different types of control panels. Both types of panels were designed for the use of non-coded pull stations.

[@ExitSign250]

And one more thing is that the only way of activating the system?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

No, there were also box pull-stations located throughout the building.

[@FrozenFan765]

Why was there a 10" Bell in the Boiler room when the School uses Horns?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Excellent observation. Fire code in most districts require that all fire alarm signals be the same throughout any building. Since this particular school was being demolished, I did not waste my time to investigate and ask why there was a bell mixed in with horns. My only guess was that there could have been a horn originally there and it went bad and was therefore replaced with a bell because another horn could not be found that would work with a 110 volt looped system.

[@FrozenFan765]

Thanks Old School Fire Alarms, I actually want to use the audio of the 10" Standard Electric Time Bell for a character that I'm creating. The character is Princess the Fire Bell

[@Paulywint]

A grade school had a fire alarm horn like this one, (But no pull rod) and the alarms were very, very loud, and it was a continuous and does not sound like this one.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

If the horn was a continuous buzzing sound, that would drive anyone crazy. Fire alarm horns, like the one displayed in this video, should only be used with coded fire alarm control panels. After the drill sequence, it should be programmed to automatically shut off until the alarm is activated once again. Thanks for watching Paul and for your comment.

[@Paulywint]

Old School Fire Alarms IF the person is not used to it, it would drive them crazy. I never liked fire drills especially in high school because the loud alarm will also give me a headache.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

If its a continuous buzzing sound I can understand why. That would be so annoying.

[@TomTom-dq2id]

+Old School Fire Alarms They maybe loud but can get your attention I heartbeat.

[@steviebauer386]

Also that alarm is very loud how many debles is it

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

+Stevie Bauer Not sure.

[@TomTom-dq2id]

+Old School Fire Alarms Seems louder than the other horns you filmedz

[@BellyJae]

Great video! Curiously, is their only one horn on each level?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Yes, there is a horn on every floor of the school building, right next to each pull-rod station.

[@alexistrinquet7419]

I don't know if my old shcool has a mechanical pull-rod I thik the system was removed or restored

[@jk09345568]

Nice vid. Yet another old school that is old like Idlewild and Roselle.

[@tots16]

What kind of bell was ringing in the backround?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

+Tots 16 The bell you hear was a 10" single stroke Standard Electric Time Bell that was located on the first floor, close to where the control panel was. Thank you for watching and great observation.

[@pollyisagoodbird]

So what's the point of the bell if you normally have to pull a handle to activate the alarm?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

+pollyisagoodbird Great question!! The manual trip bell is used in the event of an electrical outage. By pulling the rod it will ring the bell indicating there is a fire and/or drill. It acts as a backup system.

[@bradto]

+Old School Fire Alarms The manual pull rods are just left over vintage, not a requirement currently right?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

You got it. And thank you for watching !!

[@FrozenFan765]

What Color was the 10" Single Stroke Bell that was ringing with the Horns? Also, did you save the 10" Bell?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The color of the bell was black, and yes I did save the bell. It is a 10-inch, Standard Electric bell in excellent condition.

[@FrozenFan765]

I'm happy it's saved, thanks Old School Fire Alarms

[@cteal1732]

It looks and sounds like a gamewell diaphone at the first one

[@ThePurpleMage1]

Why is that manual trip bell so quiet?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

This particular trip bell was 8 inches, verses the 10 inch manual trip bells which are much louder. The smaller the bell the less sound it puts out.

[@bradto]

Unlike some of the other panels you posted, I do not see a rotating "code wheel?" Is it is there and just not visible?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

+Bradley Woods Great question ! Yes, the code wheel is there. It is in the very middle of the panel, right below the contacts and to the right. It is difficult to see though because the video is not that sharp. If you look carefully, you can see the wheel turning ever so slowly.

[@bradto]

Oh ok, I see it now. Thanks for replying and thanks for the cool videos you post!

[@jakeeves2149]

what code sounding is this it is not a cadence march code as moast would have been

[@audinos1840]

I see four code wheels. Does this alarm sound different codes for different purposes?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

No, the control panel does not sound different codes for different purposes. Just the one you hear for the fire alarm.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

There is a code wheel for each round. Since there are 4 rounds, there are 4 code wheels. The code is 2-3, 2-3, 2-3, 2-3.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The code for this particular fire alarm is 2-3-2-3, and sounds four complete rounds That is why there are 4 code wheels.This was a very common code on Standard Electric Time fire alarm control panels back in the 1930's and 40's. Thank you for your question and comment.

[@TomTom-dq2id]

I just can't believe what people do. Throw away damn money just to built cheap stuff that won't last long. Wish they still did just like back in the old times.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Not 100% sure but you are probably correct. Thank you for your comment/question.

[@theray2009]

When was this recorded

[@trainerred2063]

Do any of these systems use heat or (probably not) smoke detectors?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

This particular system did not have heat or smoke detectors, but the control panels with most of these old systems would accommodate them if so desired.

[@trainerred2063]

Old School Fire Alarms ok gotcha. There are Chemtronics heat sensors that are remnants of an old Simplex/Standard/Federal/Autocall system in one of my high school gyms. That system had Simplex 4040s/Federal 350s, and Simplex 4050s.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

So many older schools have/had mix-matched systems. I go into many older schools and find much older hardware tied into newer systems. Sometimes the old stuff has been disconnected and is just hanging on the walls waiting for someone to salvage.

[@trainerred2063]

Old School Fire Alarms My high school and elementary school are both the latter. Those horns at the high school, as well as Standard bells at the old Jr high section (could be class change too) are all in their original spots. The current system has Wheelock A/Vs, which I don't mind considering the volume of those old Federal/Simplex/Standard horns, but I would have liked to hear them go off. Salvaging them though, would leave a BIG footprint, since the old horns are behind grilles. As for pulls, I only found one round Standard pull in the JR high (now full high school) auditorium stage.

[@trainerred2063]

My elementary school (the high school from the 1920s to 60s, and Jr high until 1972) was built during the same era as many of these buildings! I am unsure if what I've seen was the true original system, because the building was built in 1923n but the old signals are large IBM, Simplex, and Edwards bells. There are also some weird single and dual projector horns that I have no Idea of the purpose. During the 80s, the system was updated and had Simplex pull stations and 2903/2901-9833 horn strobes. Sadly, that system too is gone. As of 2015, the Simplex horn strobes, and replaced malfunctioned horn strobes, were replaced with System Sensor Spectralert Advances. (Seriously, at an elementary school?!)

[@gabrieloverfield5361]

Sounds like some horns of the disney monorails

[@shelbythibodeau5506]

So, this code-wheel trigger in the panel is what sounds the horn (and the bell), huh? Never really thought of an alarm system working like that! Plus, there is also a decibel gauge that moves with the horn. Interesting!

[@michaelgrahamwongacutemadness]

i think that's voltage

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Mike Wong is correct. That is a Milliamperes Meter that shows the amount of voltage and/or power going through the entire fire alarm system. Thanks Mike.

[@javonbrandon]

Was the code three for the fire alarm

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The code is 2-3 and sounds 4 times over the horns.

[@TheTechnologymachinery]

sounds like an ACA Hurricane siren

[@Doubled-iu4cb]

How much volt does this fire alarm have and is this school. still open.

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

This school was demolished about 4 years ago and replaced with a new one. The name of the school was Betty Jane Elementary. The new school's name is Betty Jane Community Learning Center. This particular fire alarm system was a Standard Electric Time and ran off 120 volts but originally was either 110 or 115 volts when first manufactured in the 1940's.

[@Doubled-iu4cb]

Old School Fire Alarms it's so sad to see such a nice school to be destroyed. Why in Akron. Are there school destroyed. They could just put a new building connected to the old one

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

There are many reasons why old schools and other old buildings are demolished. It would take too long to list all of them here. Sometimes its because of maintenance cost, and also environmental and health issues like asbestos contamination, just to name a few.

[@Doubled-iu4cb]

Old School Fire Alarms I get it because of wasting goverment and city money and stuff. Instead of renovate and stuff. Because u pay for everything like. Buying new lighting. Buying new wires. And other stuff.

[@Doubled-iu4cb]

And. The safety of students and staff. Because of many failures like lighting outage. Because of fires and code violations

[@NathanCE]

I hear a 10" bell in the backround

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

You are correct. There was a 10" single stroke bell on the first floor, next to the custodian's office.

[@Number-ld1pf]

Is this school in operation or has it been demolished?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

This was the original Betty Jane Elementary School in Akron, Ohio. Unfortunately, it too was demolished several years ago and replaced with a new school building. ):

[@Number-ld1pf]

+Old School Fire Alarms I'm sorry to hear that! Please subscribe to my channel

[@RaisedLetter]

I heard a bell. Where was that?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The bell was down in the boiler room and custodian's office.

[@oakcreekrailroadproduction3907]

Did I hear a 7 inch bell ringing with the horns

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

Hello Brandon, There was a 10 inch single stroke bell in the Boiler Room on the first floor near the control panel. That is the bell you hear ringing in the background along with the horns.

[@donbeck8835]

Sounds like a Canada goose

[@oakcreekrailroadproduction3907]

Oh and what type of horns are those

[@bmil38]

simplex 4030's

[@oakcreekrailroadproduction3907]

don't worry i already figured it out it was a Faraday type 2 horn and plus the simplex 4030 was ones branded by IBM AKA IBM 4030

[@firealarm2903_]

@@oakcreekrailroadproduction3907 No they are Autocall 121-S

[@steviebauer386]

What year was that alarm put in?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

+Stevie Bauer The original pull rod with trip bell was installed in the 1930's. The system was then updated with an electric fire alarm system with the horns that you see in the video in the late 1940's. Thank you for watching.

[@marcloosvelt2652]

I will get those

[@firealarm2903_]

What horn is this?

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

The horn is an Autocall 121-S that was manufactured by Federal Sign & Signal.

[@firealarm2903_]

@@OldSchoolFireAlarms I thought it was standard time because the system is standard time

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

​@@firealarm2903_ It is very common to see different components from different companies mixed together in older schools and other old buildings. As time marches on, it is very hard to find original parts to fire alarm systems, so you use whatever you have and that works. Many of the older systems were very compatible and you could very easily interchange parts from one system to the next with no problems.

[@any123-og]

Code 2-3

[@SuperMarioJustin4]

At least remove the alarms and put them up for sale! They'd earn loads of money from fire alarm collectors!

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

All the fire alarm hardware you see in my videos that are salvaged from old schools are donated to fire museums.

[@Barney-bw6fo]

love old alams

[@OldSchoolFireAlarms]

I love old fire alarms too. They are so much better then the new plastic junk they make today. Thanks for watching and for your comment.

[@TheTechnologymachinery]

Sounds like a ACA Hurricane siren

[@lukemclaughlin3784]

@@TheTechnologymachinery it doesn't sound anywhere close to an ACA Hurricane.

[@Kongstartv]

that's a simplex 4040

[@RaisedLetter]

Not by a mile.

[@chriskeller3705]

who here doesn’t have autism

[@Thing95]

Screw Ada and nfpa codes

[@gregbouchard8353]

Hi mate how are u ok mate hove a good day mate form Greg Bouchard