Cooper Wheelock
Cooper Wheelock is a Long Branch, New Jersey, company founded in 1922[1] specializing in fire alarm and general signaling products. The company is known as an industry leader in fire and industrial signals.[2] Cooper Wheelock products are often used by other companies (such as Honeywell) to complement their products.
Corporate history
In March, 2008, Wheelock, Inc was acquired by Cooper Menvier of the United Kingdom, a division of Cooper Industries.[3]
Product History
The 3x/700x series of electromechanical and vibratory horns and horn/strobes is an earlier Wheelock creation. In the early 1970s, Wheelock introduced the 31 and 34 series horns, a vibratory and electromechanical horn, respectively. Around 1976, Wheelock created the 7001 (flush-mount electromechanical), 7002 (surface-mount electromechanical), and 7004 (surface-mount vibratory) horn/strobes. These were the first audiovisual alarms to use xenon strobes instead of incandescent lights. The horn and strobe on the 7001 and 7002 models are wired together, resulting in a distinctive "skipping" sound. They skip because when the strobe charges, it draws power from the horn, and when the strobe flashes the power draw stops momentarily, causing it to skip. In 1985, Wheelock redesigned the horn's grilles, making them vandal resistant. These models contain the letter "T" in their model numbers (i.e. 34T, 7002T, etc.). This series became extremely popular among safety companies and resellers. In 1994, Wheelock discontinued this series, due to the ADA requiring that all strobes have clear lenses instead of translucent lenses. The 31T is still in production today for general signaling purposes.
The Series MT (Multi-tone) was introduced in 1993. It featured eight different tones including Continuous Horn, Code-3 Horn, March Time Horn, Code-3 Tone, Siren, Slow Whoop, Hi-Lo, and Bell. These could be set using DIP switches on the back of the horn. However, most of the tones did not grab the attention of bystanders. The most commonly used tones were Continuous Horn, Code-3 Horn, and March Time Horn. The MT has seen different strobe bodies over time, including translucent vertical strobes, transparent vertical strobes, and transparent horizontal strobes. The transparent horizontal strobe design was introduced in the early 2000s and is the current strobe that is being used.
In 1995, Wheelock introduced the AS, a combination horn and strobe, which was one of their most commonly used products in the past. The AS was first created in a vertical position with the strobe on the right side of the horn facing vertically. Then in 1998 when the NS was introduced, the strobe was moved above the horn horizontally, like most other current Wheelock strobes for better light output.
In 1998, Wheelock released the NS series. The NS is similar to the AS, except the design is much less boxy, and the piezoelectric speaker disc is slightly visible through the grill which also has an updated horn. It uses a strobe similar to the RSS line.
The RSS strobe replaced the vertical LSM strobe series, since a horizontal strobe allows for greater coverage. They also introduced the RSSP, a retrofit plate which allows the easy addition of a strobe to older electromechanical horns and bells, such as the 3x series and 34T. Cooper Wheelock also produces several bells as well as speakers, synchronization modules, and voice evacuation products. Cooper Wheelock does not manufacture fire alarm control panels, smoke detectors, or heat detectors. Many fire alarm control panels are compatible with Cooper Wheelock's line of notification appliances and other products.
In 2008, Wheelock introduced the ZNS and the ZRS horn/strobes and remote strobes. The ZNS has the same horn circuitry as the NS. The ZNS and ZRS features a "snap-on" mounting system, which allows the base to be installed before the horn is attached. It's strobe is like the RSS and it positioned horizontally like the NS.
In 2010 Wheelock introduced the Exceder line of horn/strobes,remote strobes, and remote horns. The horns have the same circuity as the NS and ZNS. The strobe is a horizontal strobe similar to the RSS. and it has a standard protective cover over the strobe. This alarm also features the same "snap-on" mounting system as the ZNS.
As of March 31, 2010, the AS (non-weatherproof), NS, ZNS, and ZRS, all portions of the RSS products have been discontinued and replaced by the Exceder series. The AS series is still being produced for outdoor applications.[4]
In 2012,Wheelock updated their Exceder LED series by introducing the industry's first LED notification appliances. This alarm is a compact (single gang) design. However it does not feature a "snap-on" mounting system because the size of the alarm. The horn has the same circuitry as the original Exceder. Then in 2013 Wheelock made Exceder LED speaker strobes and the Exceder LED ceiling mount version.[5]
Distribution Partners
The The Mircom Group of Companies is Cooper Wheelock's privately owned distribution partner.