Thread: what is this?

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.

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

Thank you

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

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

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.

"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.

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

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.