So our bell system has just died!

[Jason1975]

Good morning everyone.

 

Our 1960's bell system decided to die yesterday and a repair looks unlikely due to the age of the system.

 

Does anyone use, or know of a reliable system where a lesson change alert or bell can be displayed or played on system computers?

 

We think this may be the most cost effective solution for the interim (that may have to become a permanent solution!)

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[FN-GM]

Do you have a PA system? Could play the bells down that if you have one.

[Jason1975]

Do you have a PA system? Could play the bells down that if you have one.

 

A good suggestion, but no PA system.

[Boredguy]

We used Bodet for our lesson change, but it was not cheap.

You don't say what your current system was, but you can get time clocks that can be used to trigger the class change function of fire alarm panels.

[ThatBoringBloke]

Ours is tied into our fire alarm system. Not sure how it works, but may be worth a look.

[Boredguy]

Ours is tied into our fire alarm system. Not sure how it works, but may be worth a look.

It will be using the class change contacts most likely, it's the same as we do with our Bodet system but instead of the individual time clocks, we use a wireless relay so our 5 seperate fire alarm systems all ring in sync (plus is handy for trigging the bells everywhere for a fire drill)

 

Something like a DANFOSS - 851 - Single Channel Timeswitch, 7 Day | CPC UK is a cheap method to trigger the class change functionality

[Danp]

Raspberry Pi with relay, that's the route we are aiming to go

[Meldrew]

Do you need one? The school I used to attend as a student didn't have a bell system. There were clocks in strategic locations and everyone knew when to be in lesson.

 

Meldrew.

[Jason1975]

Thanks for all the information everyone.

 

I have suggested they investigate the addon onto the fire alarm system that already has the infrastructure.

[Ketlane]

Simply abandon the bells.

 

I need to apologise in advance... that way you become the no-bell prize winner.....

 

But a system where there are clocks and people can tell the time has been fine in schools I've worked in.

[Edu-IT]

I'm sure I read recently, perhaps on here, that bells need to be significantly different from fire alarm bells? So perhaps a new install hooking in to your fire alarm might not work?

 

I can't remember the specifics. Perhaps somebody can advise?

[Boredguy]

I'm sure I read recently, perhaps on here, that bells need to be significantly different from fire alarm bells? So perhaps a new install hooking in to your fire alarm might not work?

 

I can't remember the specifics. Perhaps somebody can advise?

 

If that was the case, then the new fire alarm panels would not still come with the class change port that just activates the external sounders for as long as the relay is triggered (unless you have expensive dual tone sounders I assume)

[NB9457]

I'm sure I read recently, perhaps on here, that bells need to be significantly different from fire alarm bells? So perhaps a new install hooking in to your fire alarm might not work?

 

I can't remember the specifics. Perhaps somebody can advise?

 

Our new build had the bells tied into the fire alarm, the difference between a fire drill and class change was very easy to recognise, slightly different tone patterns and obviously a fire alarm doesn't stop!

 

And the regular fire drills ensure it all works.

 

Although I never understood why they chose to use the fire alarm for class change when they had a site wide PA too, always found it a bit odd as a class change over the PA is much nicer to listen to!