Re: Addressable Fire Panel Search

[JoeRaisin <joeraisin2001@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 10/27/2010 2:26 AM, Frank Kurz wrote:
> On 26/10/2010 7:49 PM, ABLE1 wrote:
>> Hey all,
>>
>> Looking for a reliable Commercial Addressable Fire Panel.
>>
>> Needs to have more than 150 zones.
>>
>> Easy to program with on board keys, etc.
>>
>> Downloadable with included software.
>>
>> Reasonably priced.
>>
>> At least 2 NAC's
>>
>> Any other features would be standard on most any Commercial Fire Panel.
>> I can name a number of panels Silent Knight, FireLite, Ademco, and
>> others.
>>
>> Actually looking for pros and cons that you are using. Any tidbit will be
>> helpful.
>>
>> TIA
>>
>> Les
>>
>>
>
>
> With 150 ZONES you've pretty well limited yourself to "the big guys". If
> EVAC and fire phones are involved, you won't have a whole lot of
> options. Notifier, Chubb Edwards, Simplex, Siemens, Gamewell. Mircom may
> figure in there as well. Their FX-2000 is also priced well, but I
> understand that they've had some problems in the US market. Why so many
> zones, mind my asking?
>

Could we have a discussion on the Edwards line?

The Direct TV job is dismal - large portions of many days are spent
trying to connect with other techs who either have equipment you need,
or need equipment you have.  Once a week (and again on the first of
every month) we have to drive two hours (one way) to submit paperwork,
get inventoried and get what equipment they will issue (never enough for
the whole week).  We also engage in a "tech meeting" where, among other
things, they complain about gas usage.  This being a piece-work job I
see why they have such high turnover - in the 6-7 weeks I've been there
I've seen three guys walk out the door.  Two of them had been there
several years (five years is considered an "old timer").  Perhaps if I
worked directly for Direct TV it would be different, but being a
"Semi-independent" for a sub-contractor...

ANYWAY - I've just accepted a job offer from a fire and safety company
as a service tech.  They use, almost exclusively, Edwards products.  I
will be doing service work and head end programming.

Having only had contact with Edwards gear as a user doing fire
inspections I am curious.  It looks like fairly solid equipment and I'm
told that programming is straight forward without too many twists.

The company has been around for many years and they are picking up the
tab for my code update to renew my fire alarm license - plus I'm
starting at just a buck an hour less than I was making when I left the
other place (frankly, more than I expected).

I would like to hear opinions/experiences with the Edwards line.

Thanks