SiraTone

SiraTone is a brand of electronic outdoor warning sirens produced by Federal Signal Corporation which began production in 1981. These sirens were designed to broadcast high-intensity warning signals over a large area. SiraTone products are/were used for natural disaster notification, HAZMAT incident notification, fire call systems, and more. Most of the SiraTone line was discontinued in the mid-to-late 1990s and newer designs, like the Modulator and DSA (Directional Speaker Array), have replaced it.[1] The SiraTone product line is not in standard production, as of 1995. An exception to the rule, the EOWS* 612 speaker array was sold on request until the mid-2000s.

SiraTone
A SiraTone EOWS* 612 located in Lakewood, Ohio.
TypeOutdoor warning siren
InventorJoel G. Iacono, Ronald J. Koval
Inception1981 (1981)
ManufacturerFederal Signal Corporation
Models madeEOWS* M12, 115, 408, 612, 812, 1212

Products

Six models of outdoor warning sirens were produced under the SiraTone brand. Model numbers were designated by the lettering EOWS (Electronic Outdoor Warning Siren) and an asterisk, followed by a number representative of the respective siren's decibel output or speaker array setup. All models utilized re-entrant speaker horns, arrays of 100 watt speaker drivers, and produced six standard signals.

  • EOWS* 115 – The first SiraTone model produced; a 1200 Watt omnidirectional siren with 12 rectangular speaker horns
  • EOWS* 1212 – 1200 Watt omnidirectional siren; an updated version of the EOWS* 115, with 12 circular speaker horns
  • EOWS* 408 – 800 Watt rotating siren with 4 circular speaker horns.
  • EOWS* 612 – 1200 Watt rotating siren with 6 circular speaker horns. The 612 was the most produced model of the SiraTone series.
  • EOWS* 812 – 1200 Watt rotating siren, with 8 circular speaker horns; was discontinued and succeeded by the EOWS* 612.

There was also a mobile vehicle-mounted version, at one time, called the EOWS* M12.

An advertisement for the SiraTone EOWS* 408 and 812 sirens.

Signals

The sirens were able to produce these tones:

  • Alert - A steady siren tone
  • Attack - A wailing siren tone
  • Alternating Steady - An siren tone alternating between a high and low frequency, at half-second intervals, akin to a typical European emergency vehicle siren.
  • Alternating Wail - Attack tone, with high and low tones alternating at half-second intervals.
  • Pulsed Wail - Pulsating wailing tone, alternating at half-second intervals.
  • Pulsed Steady - Pulsating steady tone, at half-second intervals.
  • An auxiliary tone of choice
  • Whoop - Winding up and then winding up again and again with a pulse.

A unique feature of the SiraTone siren series was the ability to conduct routine tests with a Westminster Chime melody instead of an actual alarm tone, intended to be a more pleasant alternative to the use of actual alarm tones. This allowed for operators to test sirens without fear of public panic and still ensure siren speakers were fully functional. Various other signals could be added upon special request.

  • Model EOWS* 612 in Irving, Texas. It has since then been replaced by Federal Signal's electromechanical 508 siren.
  • Model EOWS* 612, in a Civil Defense yellow color.
  • Model EOWS* 612 near a train station.

References
  1. "Warning and Mass Notification Outdoor Sirens and Speakers". Federal Signal. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
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