Sentry Siren
| Sentry Siren, Incorporated | |
 "Premium Outdoor Warning Systems" | |
| Names | Sentry Siren, Inc
The Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Corporation (formerly)
|
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Penrose, CO (2020-Present)
Canon City, CO (1972-2020) |
| Founder | Bill Yarberry
Scott Yarberry
|
| Key people | Bill Yarberry
Scott Yarberry
|
| Founded | 1972 |
| Products | Outdoor Warning Sirens |
| Preceded by | Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Co. |
| Website | sentrysiren.com |
Sentry Siren, Incorporated is a current siren manufacturer that produces a wide range of omnidirectional sirens. The company was founded in 1972, essentially taking over Sterling Siren of Rochester, NY. Originally based in Canyon City, Colorado, Sentry originally started out with improving original siren designs from Sterling, such as the Model M, developing the 10V2T. This eventually lead to the Model M's discontinuation. Sentry manufactures the largest mechanical omnidirectional sirens sold today, in both AC and DC markets. Today, like Sterling, they are known for their quality and dependability.
History
Sentry Siren began in 1972, founded by Bill Yarberry[1]. The company was run out of Canon City, Colorado, and purchased the designs and rights to the Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Company's sirens, as Sterling had fallen on hard times and had gone out of business. Several sirens were carried over, including the Model M (which was renamed to the Model M-10), the Model 2V8, and the Model F-2. The sirens remained largely the same as their original Sterling counterparts around this time. Around 1973, Sentry would introduce their first custom siren, the 10V2T. The 10V2T was little more than a Model M that was placed into a vertical configuration with horns, but proved to be more popular. As a result, the Model M would see a redesign to match the 10V2T in the mid 1970s.[citation needed] While the company operated as Sentry Siren at this time, the tags on the sirens were marked as "The Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Corporation" instead of Sentry Siren until around 1976. The Model 2V8 was discontinued by 1980.
In 1980, seeing the success of the 10V2T, Sentry would release several more sirens, which included the 3V8, 5V, 10V, and 20V2T.[citation needed] Early models went through several small design changes. Some notable differences include the bottom intake stand having eight legs instead of six, the cooling holes in the motor cover being placed differently, the horn extensions being larger and flat-edged, and more. These sirens would prove quite successful, and the lineup would be expanded further in the mid 1980s with the introduction of the 15V2T. The 16V1T-B was introduced in 2000.
In 2001, Sentry designed a custom built siren to match a customer's requirements, called the SS3 (Defender). This was added to the lineup as an option to compete with the growing demand of rotating sirens, however sale of their omnidirectional sirens was prioritized. Demand remained low, and the Defender was removed from the Sentry website after 2011. Their first "giant voice" array, the VR, was released in 2019, and was succeeded by the SV-8 in 2022. That same year, Sentry discontinued the 10V2T and introduced the 10V1T.
Sentry is well known to accommodate customer needs whenever possible. They can augment existing siren designs to match specific customer requirements, as well as provide refurbishment for previous customers. The shrouds and horns on their sirens are made of galvanized steel, and the chopper/stator assembly is aluminum, with the pairs machined to match strict tolerance requirements. The shrouds and horns can be made of stainless steel upon request, allowing sales to coastal regions.
Products
Single rotor electromechanical sirens
3V8 (3V8-H, 3V8-H-B)
The 3V8 is the smallest purpose-built outdoor warning siren in Sentry's lineup, as well as the cheapest. It is their smallest siren, introduced as part of Sentry's 1980 lineup, using a rotor nearly identical to that of an original Sterling M. The rotor is also used on the 10V1T. The 3V8 is rated 109dBc at 100ft by Sentry. The first 3V8s were produced with a fiberglass skirt, which was soon opted for galvanized steel.
In early as 1999 a variant of the 3V8 was introduced, using horns instead of a skirt. This is branded as the 3V8-H, and while it is slightly more expensive, the horns increase the siren's performance. These horns make the siren very similar in appearance to the 7V8, but shorter in height due to the 3V8's smaller rotor.
In 2015, another variant of the 3V8 was introduced, named the 3V8-H-B. The 3V8-H-B is the DC alternative to the 3V8, running on a 4HP 42vDC motor rather than a 5HP AC motor. This allows the siren to run approximately 30 minutes after power is lost. The 3V8-H-B performs identically to a standard 3V8-H.
7V8 (7V8-B)
In 2000, the 7V8 was introduced along with the 16V1T-B, replacing the 5V as Sentry's midrange siren. The 7V8 reaches the same sound output as the 5V, rated 112dBc at 100ft by Sentry, with the added horns giving additional range. In 2002, a DC-powered battery backup capable version of the 7V8 was released, called the 7V8-B. Instead of using a 7.5HP AC motor, the 7V8-B uses an 8HP 72vDC motor, which allows the siren to run on battery backup if AC power is lost. The siren is rated to run approximately 30 minutes after AC power is lost, before the batteries run out of power. It is otherwise entirely identical to the standard 7V8 in both appearance and performance. The rotor on the 7V8 is also found on the 5V, 10V, 10V2T, and M-10.
10V
The 10V was essentially 1/2 of a 10V2T, and used a 7.5HP motor until being opted with a 10HP in the late 1990s. The exact introduction date of the 10V is unknown. It was first seen in a brochure from 1980, however a unit from the late 1970's has been found. The rotor assemblies used on the 10V are also found on the 5V, 7V8, 10V2T, and M-10. Those found on the 16V1T-B and 15V2T/20V2T are the same diameter, but taller. According to Sentry, the 10V is rated 115dBc at 100ft.
14V (14V-B)
The 14V was introduced in 2015, and is essentially the bottom-half of a 40V2T, using a 15HP AC motor. It has been Sentry's top seller since its introduction, and is rated 127dBc at 100ft, according to Sentry.
The 14V is also available in DC power, called the 14V-B, which uses a 14HP 72vDC motor. The siren is rated to run approximately 30 minutes before running out of power when running on its batteries. The 14V-B is otherwise identical to the standard 14V in both performance and design, with slight differences in pitch and an added battery enclosure.
Dual rotor mechanical sirens
10V1T
The 10V1T was released in 2022, as the successor to the discontinued 10V2T. Intended to be a cheap dual rotor option for those on a budget, it is the smallest and cheapest of all of Sentry's dual rotor sirens. The first 10V1Ts were installed in late 2022, after the 10V2T was discontinued earlier the same year. However, the siren did not appear on Sentry's website (along with the SV-8) until February 2023. The Sentry 10V1T performs identically to its predecessor, outputting 120dBc at 100ft, according to Sentry. This places it directly between the 10V and the larger 15V2T in terms of performance and cost, making it a very cost effective siren. The rotors on the 10V1T are also found on the 3V8.
15V2T
The 15V2T was introduced in 1986, and was Sentry's first addition to the lineup since 1980. The 15V2T is nearly as loud as the 20V2T, while also not being quite as expensive, which makes it more appealing to customers. The siren is able to reach 124dBc at 100ft as claimed by Sentry. The rotors in the 15V2T are the same diameter as those in the 10V, but taller. They are also found in the 16V1T-B and the 20V1T/20V2T.
16V1T-B
The 16V1T-B was introduced in the year 2004, as Sentry's largest battery backup equipped siren. The 16V1T-B succeeded the 15V2T-B, which was Sentry's first DC siren, introduced in 2002 in order to compete with Federal Signal and American Signal's high-selling DC sirens. It uses two 8HP 72vDC motors, which can run on battery backup for approximately 30 minutes after AC power is lost. The siren is rated 129dBc at 100ft according to Sentry. Similar to the 10V1T, The 16V1T-B has a unique tone compared to other Sentry sirens, due to the motors running at slightly at different speeds. This gives a distinct warbling tone. The rotors on this siren are also found on the 20V2T and the 15V2T.
20V1T (20V2T)
The 20V2T was introduced as part of Sentry's 1980 lineup. The 20V1T has two 8 port rotors, and the 20V2T is dual tone with 8 and 16 port rotors. Early production 20V2T units were sold with square horns, and approximately 50 of these units were produced between 1980 and 1981. Soon after introduction, manufacture was deemed too difficult and the design was revised to use round horns. Very few of these units remain today. The rotors used on this siren are also found in the 16V1T-B and the 15V2T. The 20V1T/20V2TB is rated at 125dBc at 100ft by Sentry.
40V2T
The 40V2T holds the title as the loudest siren produced by Sentry, as well as one of the loudest omnidirectional sirens ever produced. The exact date of the 40V2T's introduction is unknown, though documentation exists as early as 1998 using the siren's current design. Quincy, IL was the launch customer. The 40V2T dethroned the 20V1T and 20V2T as Sentry's loudest siren upon its introduction, rated by Sentry at 127dBc at 100ft.
Electronic sirens
SV-8
The SV-8 is Sentry's second attempt to enter the electronic siren market. It is intended to replace the short-lived VR, which was Sentry's first electronic siren. The Sentry SV-8 was leaked by a Sentry dealer in April of 2022, with little official information being released until the siren was fully introduced in February 2023. The SV-8 is a small electronic siren that is designed as a "Giant Voice" system, prioritizing voice clarity over raw sound output. The siren is rated by Sentry with an 0.85 - 0.95 Sound Transmission Index (STI) rating. At 4000W, the SV-8 is rated between 110-116 dB at 100ft. This siren fills the gap in demand for Sentry, designed to provide mass voice notification to smaller outdoor areas and event sites.
Industrial sirens
F-2
The Model F-2 (Factory siren, version 2) is a small industrial electric siren produced by Sentry Siren, Inc, and formerly the Sterling Siren Fire Alarm Company. Intended as a small industrial or rural fire siren, these sirens are the main competitor to the Federal Signal Model A and Model L. The F-2 began as the Sterling Type F, which was later re-released as the Model F-2 in 1972, featuring a simpler overall design. The siren's specifications remained the same at 117dBc at 10ft, using the same 8-port rotor, stator, and 1/5HP AC/DC universal motor.
Discontinued Products
Single Rotor
5V
The 5V is a small omnidirectional siren that was one of Sentry's original sirens, and was produced for a period of 20 years before its discontinuation. The 5V was introduced in Sentry's 1980 lineup following the success of the earlier 10V2T. The siren was able to reach 112dBc at 100ft, according to Sentry. Due to similarities between the two, the 5V was eventually discontinued in the year 2000, with the 7V8 being favored. The rotor found in the 5V is also present on the 7V8, 10V, 10V2T, and M-10.
Dual Rotor
The Model M (later renamed M-10) was introduced in 1973, being a revised version of the original Sterling Model M siren.[citation needed] It was rated 115dBc at 100ft. This siren had a very similar design and appearance to the Model M, except that it used taller rotor and stator assemblies with improved machining, with the shrouds lengthened to match. Due to its inefficient and obsolete design or orientation, these sirens majorly suffered from inhibited sound propagation. The M-10 was later discontinued in the 1980s.
10V2T
The 10V2T was introduced sometime between 1973 and 1976, and was produced for nearly 50 years until its discontinuation in 2022. This siren heavily used parts from the redesigned M-10, which are also found on the 5V, 10V (of which this is half of), and 7V8. The 10V2T was able to reach 121 dBc at 100ft, as claimed by Sentry. A three signal version of this siren was available for a short time after introduction, being the 10V2T-3S, which had solenoid valves on both air intakes. This siren had a similar arrangement to most dual-rotor three-signal sirens sold at the time, and used a 10HP 1PH/3PH AC motor.
The 1PH 10V2T was discontinued in 2008, and the 3PH 10V2T was ultimately pulled from market in 2022, preceding the 10V1T.
Rotational
SS3 Defender
The SS3 Defender was introduced in 2001, designed specifically to meet a customer's requests. It eventually gained a permanent spot on the Sentry line-up, being added as an extra option for potential customers. The Defender suffered in poor sales and low customer demand, as sales of their omnidirectional sirens were prioritized. It was later removed from the lineup in 2011, however support continues. The Defender used the siren core from a 5V, driven either by an 8HP DC motor, or 7.5HP AC motor. It was rated at 127dBc at 100ft.
Electronic
VR
The VR is an electronic siren that was Sentry's very first attempt to enter the electronic siren market. Introduced in 2018, the siren was produced for a short time, later being succeeded by the SV-8. The siren was advertised for "Giant Voice", being designed to function as a public address and notification system prioritizing voice clarity over raw sound output. These were advertised by Sentry as reaching up to 120dBc at 100ft, while having an incredible speech transmission index (STI) rating of 0.91 out of 1.00. This meant that it would be able to be clearly heard and understood over a great distance, which was the siren's main selling point.
Less than a dozen VR units are known to have been sold. Life the Defender, sales of omnidirectional sirens continued to outmatch the VR, eventually leading to its discontinuation in 2019 and eventual replacement in 2023.