Box Locations
Frequetly Asked Questions?
Gamewell Municipal Box Alarm System
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Street Box and a Master Box?
Street Boxes - Strictly manually operated by moving the pull guard forward which exposes the operating lever. Downward pressure on this lever actuates the code signal mechanism. The Street Box is designed to be used when a person sees a fire or emergency. Street boxes are given a 2 digit number for identification. For example, box 36 is a Street Box.
Master Boxes - Master fire alarm boxes have provisions for electrical actuation in addition to the manual operation. They are designed to provide the connecting link between the Gamewell fire alarm system and auxiliary type fire alarm systems installed for protection of public buildings, schools, industrial plants, etc. With such provisions, any alarm originating from heat detectors, smoke detectors, sprinkler heads, etc. are automatically transmitted through the Master Box to headquarters. Master boxes are given a 3 digit number. For example, box 223 is a Master Box.
Digital Boxes - Recently a new type of box alarm has been installed at several properties in town. Referred to as Digital Boxes this type of alarm system does not have an actual box located at the site. Digital boxes are used at sites where multiple buildings on the same property need to be protected. They act exactly the same as a Master Box, but do not have the actual box. Instead the buildings fire alarm system will receive a signal for a fire alarm at one of the buildings in monitors, it will then transmit the corresponding box number of that building to the firehouse. Digital boxes are assigned 4 digit numbers. All the boxes in a system will have the same first 3 numbers, with the 4th being the number that identifies the specific building. For example, box 3341 is the Crampton Dorm at St. Johnsbury Academy, and box 3342 is the Sheepcoat Dorm.
How does the signal get from the box to the fire house?
Each box is connected to a wire that runs from the firehouse both above ground and under, around town to other boxes and then back to the firehouse. There are 4 separate runs of wire, or circuits as they are referred to. Each circuit is given a name based on the geographical area it covers. The circuits are Fairbanks, Summerville, Railroad and Arlington. When the hook on the box is pulled a code wheel inside the box begins to turn. Each code wheel has a certain number of teeth that corresponds with the box number. As the wheel turns electric signals are transmitted over the wire to the bells in the firehouse, causing them to ring. For example, if box 36 was pulled, the firehouse bells would ring 3 times, followed by 6 times. This is repeated 4 times, or 4 rounds so the firefighters are sure of the box number.
Copyright © 2003 St. Johnsbury Fire Department
