West Edmonton Mall

If you're looking for the hotel across from West Edmonton Mall, see West Edmonton Mall Inn.

System Specifications
FACP: Simplex 4100ES/4100U FACP Location: 4120 Network (Multiple Control Units, see FACP) System Type: Two Stage Addressable (Phase IV) Two-Stage Hybrid-Addressable (Mall) System Line Voltage: 120VAC NAC Voltage: 24VDC (bells & strobes) 25VRMS (Galaxyland & Hotel speakers) System Coding: 20BPM (alert) Continuous (alarm) Strobes Synchronized: Yes, Wheelock (4100ES & Phase IV) Date of last known Upgrade: 2023 Year Opened: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1999

West Edmonton Mall (aka West Ed or WEM), is the largest shopping mall in North America (by total stores). It is located at 8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It consists of a three-story mall with four phases, and a 12-story hotel known as Fantasyland Hotel (11700 87 Ave NW).

The mall had its first phase completed in 1981, the second in 1983, and the third in 1985. The hotel and Galaxyland were completed in 1986, and the last phase (Phase IV) was completed in 1999. The first two phases were upgraded in 1986, while the third phase is partially original. Galaxyland and the hotel and Phase IV are mostly original, with parts replaced as deficiencies occur.

Since this is a large mall, some tenants have their own fire alarm system, and may or may not be wired as a zone to the 4100U.

Despite WEM being the largest mall in North America, the system surprisingly does not have voice-evac capabilities.

System Specifications (1981-present)

FACP

The building is protected by a Simplex 4120-networked hybrid-addressable fire alarm system. There are many panels, most are located at entrances, and equipped with the InfoAlarm Command Center. There is mostly Simplex 4100U panels, with a couple of 4100ES panels.

There are two Simplex 4100ES subpanels on the system, which were installed in 2022-23. Phase IV is fully addressable, while the rest of the mall is hybrid-addressable, mostly conventional. The system runs Simplex's IDNet addressable protocol, and is configured for two-stage operation. Alert signal coding is 20BPM, followed by continuous for the evacuation signal. The Fantasyland Hotel and Galaxyland panels are also equipped with voice-evacuation, but do not play any messages.

Panels have been found in the following locations. All are 4100U, except when noted:

• Security Office (main node)
• Entrance in Phase I, number TBA
• Entrance 6 (BRBN St. entrance)
• Entrance 24
• Entrance 44 (Node 19)
• Entrance 50
• Entrance 56 (4100ES, installed 2023)
• Galaxyland Customer Service Desk (4100ES, installed 2022)
• Fantasyland Hotel entrance vestibule

The 4100U network was installed between 2005 and 2007, replacing a Simplex 4100+ network when Phase IV was added, which in turn replaced a Simplex 2120 that was installed during Phase III.

Booster Panels

There are many Simplex 4009 booster power supplies on the system.

Notification Appliances

Due to the size of the mall, the age, deficiency replacements and remodeled areas, there is a HUGE variety of bells.

Phase I (1981)

Unless otherwise specified, all notification appliances are Potter MBA-10-24 motor bells (10" gong).
There are Simplex 2901-9724 motor bells (10" gong) in addition to the Potter bells.
The following bells are installed in addition to the aforementioned bells:

• Sentron 306 vibrating bells (10" gong) in several areas
• Mirtone 74303 motor bell (10" gong) at one entrance
• Potter MBA-6-24 motor bell (6" gong) near Hudsons Bay (summer 2024 replacement for Cerberus BDC-624C)
• Simplex 2901-9723 motor bell (6" gong) by CHARM
• Wheelock 46 vibrating bell outside Entrance 40 Sprinkler Room
• Notifier KMS-6-24VDC/P motor bell (6" gong) by Entrance 32

Phase II (1983)

Most notification appliances are Potter MBA-10-24 motor bells (10" gong) installed between 2019 and 2022 as well as Simplex 2901-9724 motor bells (10" gong), installed with the 4100U to reduce current draw.

Deficiency replacements are as follows:

• A Sentron vibrating bell (10" gong, model TBA) near Dragon's Tale,
• A Notifier KMS-10-24A motor bell (10" gong) installed around 2015,
• An Edwards 439D-10AWC vibrating bell (10" gong) in the men's washroom near Entrance 48, installed in the mid-90s.
• A Notifier KMS-10-24A motor bell (10" gong) by Starlight Casino

Phase III (1985)

Most notification appliances are mainly Simplex 2901-9329 vibrating bells (10" gong), along with Simplex 2901-9724 motor bells (10" gong) installed with the 4100U to reduce current draw.

There are also Simplex 4080-5 vibrating bells (10" gong) in some areas throughout the phase and in Sea Life Caverns; these are original.

There are Edwards 439D-10AWC vibrating bells (10" gong) along one strip that was redone in the mid-90s.

The hallway to Ed's Bowling has Simplex 2901-9723 motor bells (6" gong).

Deficiency replacements include:

• A Sentron vibrating bell (10" gong) on the second floor view of World Waterpark,
• A Notifier KMS-10-24A motor bell (10" gong) beside Kurves; this one replaced a Wheelock 46T-G10-24-WS vibrating bell/strobe (10" gong, 1.5cd) sometime between 2013-16
• Edwards 439D-10AWC vibrating bells (10" gong) by Starbucks, in Europa Boul (x1) and in Entrance 1 Vestibule,
• A Mirtone 74306 vibrating bell (10" gong) in Five & Dine

BRBN St. has two Simplex 2901-9724 (10" gong) motor bells, and an Edwards 439D-10AWC vibrating bell (10" gong), and most of the restaurants have their own fire alarm system. There are Potter MBA-10-24 motor bells (10" gong) that were installed sometime between 2019 and 2022 in some areas.

Before the transformation to BRBN ST., The Old Spaghetti Factory formerly had a Simplex 2901-9722 motor bell (10" gong) on a Wheelock LSP-24-HFR strobe plate (15cd) controlled by the 4100U, but after the transformation to BRBN St, it got its own system.

Phase IV (1999)

All notification appliances except one Simplex 2901-9724 motor bells (10" gong), mostly on Wheelock RSSP-2415W strobe plates (15cd). Some bells are installed remotely.

There is a Potter MBA-10-24 motor bell (10" gong) recently installed near Bubba Gump as a deficiency replacement.

There is an Edwards "Adaptabel" 343D vibrating bell (6" gong) outside Entrance 56.

Galaxyland (1986)

Most notification appliances are Simplex 2901-9329 vibrating bells (10" gong).

There is one Simplex 2901-9330 vibrating bell (10" gong) present.

There are also Simplex "LifeAlarm" 2902-9711 re-entrant speakers (red, surface-mount) throughout, it is unknown what they are used for.

There is a Notifier KMS-10-24A motor bell (10" gong) installed near HAVOC as a deficiency replacement.

The Phase II entrance has a Potter MBA-10-24 motor bell (10" gong) that was installed last year when the facade was redone.

There is also a brand new Potter MBA-10-24 motor bell on a Wheelock RSSP-24MCW strobe plate (set to 15cd); this one is on the 4100ES.

There is a Potter MBA-6-24 motor bell (6" gong) in the Entrance 12 vestibule.

The original Galaxyland facade had an Edwards 439D-10AWC vibrating bell (10" gong), which was installed in 1995 and removed in 2022.

Fantasyland Hotel (1986)

Most notification appliances are the original Simplex 2901-9329 vibrating bells (10" gong). There are three bells per floor.

There are Simplex 2901-9712 vibrating bells (10" gong) in the pedway on the 3rd floor.

The Beverly Hills Ballroom has six Simplex 2901-9329 vibrating bells (10" gong) and one Simplex 2901-9712 vibrating bell (10" gong); the two smaller ballrooms have one Simplex 2901-9329 vibrating bell (10" gong) in each. Deficiency replacements include:

• Simplex 2901-9724 motor bells (10" gong) on the 6th and 8th floors in the elevator lobby as well as two in the lobby
• A Mircom BL-10B motor bell (10" gong) in the stairway across the hotel to banquet areas.

There are also Simplex 2902-9314 speakers (round, 8", 25V) on the floors, only used to give announcements. The bells do not silence when the mic is keyed.

Initiating Devices

Pull Stations

Phases I, II and III

Most pull stations in Phases I and II are Simplex 2099-9107C conventional two-stage single-action pull stations, installed with the 4100U upgrade. Newer variants can be found as deficiency replacements.

Most pull stations in Phase III, Fantasyland Hotel and Galaxyland are Simplex 4251-50/2099-9905 two-stage, break-glass conventional pull stations; many of these have had their break-glass functions removed, some still have their hammers, and several have still their original glass intact. These were installed between 1985 and 1986.

Some pull stations are Simplex 4251-40 conventional two-stage single-action pull stations.

There are several Sentron 304 conventional two-stage pull stations in some parts of Phase I, Entrance 28 vestibule, by Entrances 40, 44 and 48, and one in Galaxyland; these are original and were left over during the 2120 upgrade.

Fantasyland Hotel also has two Simplex 2099-9925 bilingual two-stage single action pull stations.

Deficiency replacements include:

• Simplex 2099-9288C conventional two-stage single-action pull stations
• Simplex 2099-9107C conventional two-stage single action pull stations
• Simplex 2099-9905 conventional two-stage single action pull stations
• One Simplex 2099-9905CB conventional two-stage single-action pull station (bilingual) in Phase III
• Simplex 2099-9108C conventional two-stage break-glass conventional pull station in Fantasyland Hotel 2nd floor elevator lobby

Phase IV

Most pull stations in Phase IV are Simplex 2099-9123C addressable two-stage pull stations.

All pull stations by Entrance 51 are Simplex 2099-9123CB addressable two-stage single-action pull stations.

There are Simplex 4099-9004CA addressable two-stage pull stations installed as deficiency replacements.

Automatic Detection Devices

There are Simplex "TrueAlarm" 4098-9714 addressable photoelectric smoke detectors throughout Galaxyland and in the mall's elevator lobbies and fire doors, which were installed recently to control relays. These are mounted on Simplex 4098-9792 bases.

Most smoke detectors in Fantasyland Hotel are System Sensor "i3" C2W-BA photoelectric smoke detectors, which replaced older Simplex ionization smoke detectors.

There are also Simplex "TrueAlarm" 4098-9601 photoelectric smoke detectors, mounted on 4098-9788 bases; some of these are deficiency replacements.

The World Waterpark changerooms and possibly other areas have Simplex 4251-55 conventional 135°F fixed-temperature/rate-of-rise heat detectors, these were installed in 1986.

Modules

There are Simplex 4090-9001 addressable monitor modules supervising the sprinkler system's tamper and flow switches in Phase IV.

There are Simplex 4090-9002 addressable relays serving various purposes, such as elevator recall, shutters and fire doors.

There are Simplex 4090-9116 addressable isolator modules on the SLCs in Phase IV and Galaxyland.

Firefighter's Telephones

There are Simplex 2084-9017 firefighter's telephones on each floor of Fantasyland Hotel.

EOLs

There is a mix of Simplex 2081-9018C and Simplex 2081-9040C end-of-line resistor plates on all conventional, sprinkler and signal circuits.

Sequence of Operation

When an alarm is initiated in one phase/Galaxyland/Fantasyland Hotel, all panels will display an alarm condition, and the signaling devices in that area will sound the alert signal. All other phases remain silent, unless the activated device is near another phase, when the two phases' bells sound the alert signal. If that phase(s) go into evac, the rest of the building goes into alert. After 5 minutes, if the system is not acknowledged, the entire building goes into evac, and the tenant systems will go into alarm.

When a tenant's fire alarm system goes off, the 4100U will display a supervisory condition.

For Fantasyland Hotel, the speakers are used for the alert signal, and the system plays a 20BPM chime. Live pages will be made by staff. The 5-minute timer is disabled, and when a pull station keyswitch is activated, the alarm signal activates, the bells sound (coding is continuous), and Phase 3 will go into alert.

Photos

• 

  One of the 4100U panels here, this one is at BRBN St. Entrance.

• 

  A Simplex 2901-9329 on the 11th floor of Fantasyland Hotel.

Videos

Fire alarm going off (alert signal), taken in Sea Life Caverns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-K1V1TFvdI
Fire alarm going off (alert signal), taken in various parts of the mall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdu7P4pvlD0