- A Simplex fire alarm is an advanced, brand-name form of fire detection and alert made for and installed in commercial structures such as schools, libraries, office buildings and stores of all kind. It should be noted that although the Simplex Grinnel Corp. does produce sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting, the Simplex fire alarm is considered a different entity, which is designed, configured and sold separately.
- Simplex fire alarms use ionization-type smoke detectors rather than photoelectric types. These detectors take the shape of flat discs that are situated throughout a structure. All are connected to the structure's electrical supply and include battery backups in case of power outages. Each disc has a small open-air chamber with two metal plates. This is called the ionization chamber. Nearby the ionization chamber is a small source of radiation, specifically americium-241. The high-energy particles released by the americium-241 break electrons off the molecules of oxygen in the air. These electrons are attracted to the positively charged metal plate, and the oxygen (now positively charged) is attracted to the negatively charged plate. When smoke particles enter the ionization chamber, they prevent the exchange of particles between the plates. This causes a sudden drop in current, which triggers the alarm.
- The trigger is just the first part of the process. Simplex fire alarms can be triggered manually through hand-operated pull-switches set throughout a structure. Again, this works by interrupting the flow of current through the device. This drop in current is registered by a central computer. The computer uses a modem or phone line to contact the local fire department with information on the whereabouts of the supposed fire. It also sends electrical impulses to lights and sirens situated throughout the structure or building, alerting people to the possibility of a fire.
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