What is this? Fire? CO? ???

[Jerry Peck]

I found this in a 1970's house, but it looks more like it came out of the 1930s, 40s, or 50s.

It is not connected to anything.

I suspect that the cylinder contains compressed air or chemicals which mix to create the same affect, and that activates through the horn ... but what is it for and why?

[Jerry Peck]

Barry,

That sure is like their logo - so I will guess that narrows what it is for down to "fire" (which was my first thought ... CO was a distant second as it is not far from an oil burner furnace, which was replaced sometime after 1996 as it is listed to a 1996 standard).

I will email them the photos and see what they say it is.

Thank you.

(I sent them an email asking about it, I will post what they say it is.)

[Jerry Peck]

Their reply was, basically, a 'non-reply' as it was less than helpful:

Jerry,
we sell kestrel Meters... this is not a kestrel meter.

--
Brad
Kestrel Line: 248-270-8898

I refrained from replying with:
- Duh! I know that was not a "meter".

[Jack Feldmann]

I've never seen anything like that. Sorry, I'm not any help.

[Jerry Peck]

I suspect that the cylinder contains compressed air or chemicals which mix to create the same affect, and that activates through the horn ... but what is it for and why?

The What, Where, When, and Why ...

Okay, first let's dispense with the easier ones:

- Where - Asheville, NC

- When - 1972 house
- - but this looks older than 1972, by a couple of decades

- What - Fire Detector & Alarm

- Why (as is "how does it operate") - appears to pretty much operate as I thought
- - there is a temperature stated on it of 136 degrees F, presumably the temperature at which it activates, or below that temperature which it does not activate (which is basically the same thing)
- - there is a liquid in the canister and the canister is labeled "If liquid is not visible when unit is in upright position return to dealer or factory for replacement"
- - I presume that, at or somewhere above 136 degrees F boils or otherwise rapidly expands, this action causes air in the canister (and maybe the liquid too?) to rush out of the canister and to the horn, sounding the horn (which looks an air horn)

Thus, as a fire detector, 136 degrees F (or higher?) sets off the detector, and, as a fire alarm, that sounds the horn warning the occupants that there is excess heat (possibly caused by a fire) in the area where the fire detector/alarm is located.

See additional photos below.