Q2B

The Q2B siren ("Q-siren")https://www.fedsig.com/product/q-siren Federal Signal Q2B Page (contains a sample of the siren's trademarked sound) is an electromechanical siren that is produced by the Federal Signal Corporation and is most recognizable for its sound, which is trademarked, and the look of the siren.

History

The mechanical siren was used on police vehicles, ambulances, fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles beginning in the early 1900s. The first were driven with a hand crank or driven by the vehicle's tire or fan belt. They were manufactured by the Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Company in Rochester, NY; B&M Siren Manufacturing Company in Los Angeles and a few others. Later, electric motor driven sirens were widely manufactured by Federal Signal Corp, Sireno, Sterling and B&M beginning with six volt systems. When vehicle electrical systems advanced, siren manufacturers began producing sirens to operate with the new twelve volt systems. Beginning in the late 1960s, the electronic siren began to replace the mechanical siren. It provided several tones (wail and yelp) and a PA option. The electronic siren did not clog with snow in the winter (NYPD cops would beat the roof mounted siren with their nightsticks to break off the ice.) Federal Signal emerged as the largest manufacturer and makes the "Q" siren in University Park, IL. B&M still makes their "Super Chief" to date in their California facility. Other US manufacturers include Timberwolf of California which makes a "Timberwolf" siren, and Eagle Sirens of Michigan which makes the "Screaming Eagle" and "Nesting Eagle" sirens.

Tire driven sirens were made by Harley Davidson but became obsolete in 1982 when California required a police motorcycle to be able to emit a siren sound while stopped. New York City's noise regulations made mechanical sirens obsolete there in the early 1970s as they were too loud and the sound was too widely projected. The NYPD then used a 58 watt electronic siren with a small roof mounted speaker. The old roof mounted Federal P660 "Pulsator" sirens were history.

Present day

Today Federal Signal's Q2B siren is still in wide use. The majority of users of the Q Siren are fire departments, although some ambulances and heavy rescue squads have employed the Q-siren. The Q-siren produces 123 decibels at with an operating current of 100 amps at 12 V DC (1.2 kW). Hearing protection is recommended but not required when operating the siren or for anyone in the truck. The Q2B is mounted outside the truck, usually in the front bumper, on top of an extended front bumper or on the grill. Roof-mounting is no longer common because of noise in the cab.

Controversy

Some fire departments, including, notably, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and cities have banned the siren due to its loud volume, which has led to it being replaced by electronic replica versions, such as the E-Q2B. However, electronic versions of the mechanical siren, although loud, are not as effective due to the lack of square sound waves. For many years the FDNY used the Federal Signal PA300 electronic siren, which was criticized for not sounding like a traditional fire truck. The FDNY then purchased an E-Q2B equipped 2007 Pierce Arrow XT, which was assigned to Rescue 1. Rescue 1 Members were quoted as saying, "The best thing about the new rig is that old fashioned siren that all other trucks have, it really gets your blood pumping hearing that. It's great that we sound like a fire engine again, not a cop car or an EMS unit."{{Failed verification, date=November 2021 The E-Q2B subsequently became standard on new FDNY units being delivered. Before then, many companies throughout the FDNY would place mechanical sirens on their rigs, only to have them confiscated during maintenance.

References

Fire detection and alarm
Sirens
Sound trademarks
Active fire protection