Strobes

Fire Alarm Strobes for Wall and Ceiling Mounting

A fire strobe is the visual half of fire alarm notification, required so that a building's occupants are alerted whether or not they can hear the audible signal. It is what makes an evacuation signal accessible.

The specification that matters most is candela, the light output. Higher candela covers a larger room or a space with high ambient light; the required rating depends on room dimensions and mounting height, and most modern strobes are field-selectable across several settings so one part number covers many rooms.

Beyond candela, the choices are mounting (wall or ceiling; they are not interchangeable, and each has its own coverage table), indoor versus weatherproof, and whether the device needs to synchronize. Multiple unsynchronized strobes flashing in the same field of view can trigger photosensitive reactions, and codes limit it. If strobes will be visible from one another, use a sync module or self-synchronizing devices. For horn and strobe in one device, see horn strobes.

Popular fire alarm strobes

• System Sensor SRLED - wall-mount strobe (replaces SRL)
• System Sensor SCWLED - ceiling mount strobe (replaces SCWL)
• Eaton Wheelock ELSTR Eluxa - LED wall strobe, red
• Simplex 4906-9101 TrueAlert - multi-candela wall strobe
• Siemens SL2SCW-F (S54329-F198-A1) - LED ceiling strobe

Strobe FAQ

What does candela mean on a fire alarm strobe?

Candela measures the strobe's light output. The rating needed depends on room size and mounting height.

Can a wall strobe be mounted on a ceiling?

No. Wall and ceiling strobes are not interchangeable and each has its own coverage table.