what is this?

[Peter Louis]

this is balcony ceilling fixtures. the bigger is light. I am not sure the smaller is fire suppression of other. Anybody have seen this? there is a gas grill on this town home balcony.

[Bruce Ramsey]

Could it be a strobe light instead of an audible fire alarm?

[Peter Louis]

Thank you

[Rick Cantrell]

It is a strobe light of an alarm system.
Not necessarily for a fire alarm though.

[Jim Port]

It is a strobe light of an alarm system.
Not necessarily for a fire alarm though.

It might have been required for a hearing impaired person.

[Rick Cantrell]

"It might have been required for a hearing impaired person."

If so, it should be located inside the house.

A strobe light's function is to give a visual alert of an alarm.
Also, audio alarms (sirens) are required (in most areas) to turn off in 20 minutes or less, while a strobe can continue to notify of an alarm.
Having a strobe light helps the police/ fire personal and neighbors locate which house had an alarm faster and lets the homeowners know that an alarm has occured, even after the siren has stopped.

[James Duffin]

Might be tied to the phone for a hearing impaired person.

[H.G. Watson, Sr.]

Hearing impaired tty or telephone indicators are not strobed, not allowed to be, they flash. Emergency signals are strobbed.

Strobbed indicators on balconies and emergency lighting tied into smoke/fire system are common on Highrise structures. For fire fighters to identify source/zone triggering, etc. Suspect this balcony building with more than 3 floors above grade.

Although, might be a private emergency indicator system with strobe(s) for someone hearing impared, or more likely profoundly deaf, but sighted. (generally such is also interfaced with a vibrator pad or rumbler pack signal) for sleeping areas.