Elektror HZ 1
| Elektror HZ 1 | |
 The Handzugsirene HZ 1. This is an original Elektror unit. | |
| Company | Elektror Karl W. Müller |
|---|---|
| Produced | 1950s-1990s |
| Type | Directional Hand Powered |
| Sound output | 108 dB @ 1 m |
The Hand Pull Siren, or HP 1 (German: Handzugsirene, HZ 1) is a small, hand powered siren intended as an alternative to a standard electric fire siren when power is unavailable. Produced by Elektror from sometime in the 1950s to the 1990s, the HZ 1 proved to be quite popular and is still sold today by various rebranders such as Rosenbauer and Survival Solutions.
History and Design
The HZ 1 was introduced sometime in the 1950s by Elektror Karl W. Müller, who intended for the siren to be used in situations where power would be unavailable. The siren consists of a small aluminum 9-port rotor and stator, which is driven by a small pulley located at the bottom of the siren. A small metal hanger is on top of the stator, allowing for the siren to be mounted on walls. The material for this hanger often varies between rebrands, and in some instances, it is not included at all. A finger guard is included in front of the stator, as the siren can cause injury if it is misused. A small strap attached to the left and right side of the siren is also included, which is used for hanging the siren on the user's neck.
On original Elektror units, the 4th opening between the 3rd and 4th finger guard is separated. However, for rebranded units, a large disc is in the place of the separation, typically with a sticker on it, which reads "Hz1". The siren's rotor can get up to around 4260 rpm. The siren is rated 108 dB at 1 m. After its introduction, the HZ 1 quickly became popular with places such as schools and public buildings who used the siren as a fire alarm, as well as various fire departments around Germany. The HZ 1 was discontinued in the 1990s, like most of Elektror's other siren offerings. However, it continued to be resold by various other companies that Elektror had leased the siren to. Today, the HZ 1 is fairly common and can be found in various places in Germany where short-range notification is required.