Technical Specifications
| Model Number | FW2971 |
| Product Name | Emergency Horn |
| Category | Audible Signal Device |
| Certification | UL Listed (UL464) |
| Manufacturer | Maple Armor / Tongfang |
| Warranty | 2-Year Standard |
| Horn Type | Electronic Piezo Horn |
| Sound Output | 85 dB(A) minimum at 10 ft (3m) |
| Tone Frequency | 520 Hz ± 10% |
| Tone Pattern | Temporal Code 3 (Standard) |
| Operating Voltage | 24VDC Nominal (15-32VDC range) |
| Current Consumption | Standby: 0mA, Active: 35mA typical |
| Power Consumption | 0.85W (at 24VDC) |
| Operating Temperature | -10°C to +55°C (14°F to 131°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C to +70°C (-4°F to 158°F) |
| Humidity | 10% to 93% RH (Non-condensing) |
| Weatherproof Rating | IP54 (Dust and Water Splash Protected) |
| Enclosure Material | Polycarbonate (UL94 V-0) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount (Wall or Ceiling) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.5" x 4.5" x 2.0" (114mm x 114mm x 51mm) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.36 kg) |
| Wire Gauge | 14-22 AWG |
| Terminal Type | Screw Terminals |
| Color | White (Standard), Red available |
| Field Selectable | Tone pattern, Volume adjustment |
| NFPA 72 Compliance | Yes (2019 Edition) |
| Expected Life | 10 years minimum |
| Audibility Distance | Up to 200 ft (61m) in open areas |
Sound Output Levels
70 dB
85 dB
Standard
100 dB
High Power
120 dB
70 dB: Quiet Areas | 85 dB: Standard Requirement | 100 dB: High Ambient Noise | 120 dB: Industrial
Product Overview
The FW2971 Emergency Horn is a high-performance audible signaling device engineered for modern fire alarm and emergency notification systems. Using advanced electronic piezo technology, it delivers clear, penetrating sound with minimal power consumption while maintaining reliability in demanding environments.
High Output
85 dB minimum output ensures audibility in all conditions with temporal code 3 pattern.
UL Listed
Certified to UL464 standards for audible signal appliances.
Weather Resistant
IP54 rating for indoor/outdoor use in various environmental conditions.
Key Characteristics
Clear Sound: 85 dB output with penetrating 520 Hz frequency
Standard Pattern: Temporal code 3 for fire alarm compliance
Low Power: 35mA current draw maximizes system capacity
Field Selectable: Tone pattern and volume adjustment
Durable: Polycarbonate construction with UV stabilization
Compact: 4.5" square design for space-efficient installation
Temporal Code 3 Pattern: The standard fire alarm evacuation signal consists of three half-second pulses followed by a one and one-half second pause, repeating. This distinctive pattern helps distinguish fire alarms from other audible signals and provides clear direction for evacuation.
Product Features
Acoustic Features
- Electronic piezo horn technology
- 85 dB(A) minimum output at 10 ft
- Temporal Code 3 pattern (standard)
- 520 Hz nominal frequency
- Clear, penetrating tone
- Field-selectable tone patterns
- Volume adjustment capability
Construction Features
- Polycarbonate enclosure (UL94 V-0)
- IP54 weatherproof rating
- UV stabilized for color retention
- Impact resistant design
- Screw terminal connections
- Knockouts for conduit entry
- Tamper-resistant construction
Electrical Features
- 24VDC operation (15-32VDC range)
- Low current draw: 35mA typical
- Compatible with standard NAC circuits
- Polarity insensitive design
- Short-circuit protected
- Reverse polarity protection
Installation Features
- Wall or ceiling mounting
- Standard 4" octagonal box compatible
- Field-selectable DIP switches
- Visual configuration indicators
- Easy access for maintenance
- Mounting hardware included
Sound Level Planning: Proper placement and spacing is essential for effective audibility. Consider ambient noise levels, room acoustics, and NFPA 72 requirements when planning horn placement. In areas with high ambient noise (over 85 dB), consider supplementary signaling or higher output devices.
Installation & Configuration
Wall Mount
Standard wall mounting 80-96" height
Ceiling Mount
Overhead ceiling mounting
Corridor Mount
Corridor and hallway installation
Installation Guidelines
- Follow NEC and NFPA 72 requirements
- Mount 80-96" (2.0-2.4m) above floor
- Ensure clear sound propagation path
- Avoid mounting near obstructions
- Consider ambient noise levels
- Set appropriate volume level for area
- Verify audibility at all room locations
Wiring & Configuration
Circuit Requirements
24VDC Notification Appliance Circuit (NAC).
DIP Switch Settings
Set tone pattern and volume level.
Load Calculation
Include 35mA per device in NAC calculations.
Audibility Testing
Verify 85 dB minimum at 10 ft distance.
Installation Steps
- Select mounting location per NFPA 72 requirements
- Set DIP switches for appropriate tone pattern and volume
- Mount back box (if used) or prepare surface mount
- Route wiring to device location in approved conduit
- Connect wires to screw terminals (polarity insensitive)
- Secure emergency horn to mounting surface
- Ensure device is level and securely mounted
- Verify electrical connections are tight
- Test device operation from fire alarm control panel
- Measure sound levels at various room locations
- Document installation and testing results
Audibility Guidelines
Sleeping Areas
75 dB minimum at pillow level.
General Areas
85 dB minimum at 10 ft.
High Noise Areas
15 dB above ambient noise level.
Compatibility & Applications
Compatible Systems
- Maple Armor FW2000 Series
- Maple Armor FW2100 Series
- Maple Armor FW2200 Series
- Most 24VDC NAC fire alarm systems
- Compatible with standard sync modules
Typical Applications
- Hotel and motel corridors
- Hospital hallways and common areas
- Office building corridors and lobbies
- Educational facility hallways
- Residential apartment corridors
- Commercial retail spaces
Application Scenarios
Hotels
Corridors and common areas for guest notification.
Healthcare
Hallways outside patient rooms and treatment areas.
Education
Classroom corridors and assembly areas.
Benefits
Clear Audibility: 85 dB output ensures effective notification
Code Compliance: UL, NFPA 72 compliant
Flexible: Field-selectable tone patterns
Reliable: Weatherproof construction
Efficient: Low power consumption
Serviceable: Easy maintenance access
System Design: When designing fire alarm systems, consider using a combination of horns and horn strobes. The FW2971 Emergency Horn is ideal for areas where audible notification is sufficient, while combination devices may be preferred in areas requiring both audible and visual notification. This approach optimizes both system performance and cost-effectiveness.