85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Angular Displacement (Degrees) on Horizontal Axis
Sound Pressure Level (dB) at 10 ft (3 m)
96
4901 TrueAlert Non-Addressable Horn Installation Instructions 
 
Table 1.  TrueAlert Horn Sound Pressure Level Measurements 
 
 
VOLTAGE 
(VDC) 
 
CURRENT 
(mA) 
 
HORN MODE 
(See Note 1) 
 
SOUND PRESSURE MEASUREMENT (dBA) 
AVERAGE AT TEN FEET 
TEN FEET PER UL464 
Notes: 
1.  The coded category covers both Temporal and March Time 
cadences. 
2.  Average anechoic dBA measurements are measured on the axis in a  
non-reflective test chamber using fast meter response. 
3.  Reverberant dBA measurements are a minimum UL rating based on 
sound power level measurements made in UL’s reverberant test 
chamber.  
4.  Refer to Figure 4 for directional characteristics. 
5.  When used with the STI Model STI-1210D (with a flush or surface 
mounted backbox) Vandal Guard, the sound output is reduced 3.1 
and 6.1 dBa respectively. The guard is not listed for ULC 
applications. 
 
 
 
 
 
Notification Appliances, and the fire alarm system itself, have certain limitations and requirements for placement, 
installation, and test (details on safety can be found on page 1). Since you must know the limitations and adhere to 
the requirements, keep these instructions at a central location for future reference so that all people who use, 
maintain, and test the fire alarm system have access to this information. 
 
Notification appliances do not sense any hazardous conditions such as smoke, fire, or explosion. They are 
activated by a control panel, as part of a system that does sense such conditions. 
Notification appliances do not provide their own power. They receive their power from the fire alarm system. 
If power is not supplied to the notification appliances (for whatever reason), their audible warnings will not 
sound. THEREFORE, BACK-UP POWER SUPPLIES, OR OTHER BACK-UP POWER SOURCES ARE 
REQUIRED FOR THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. 
Notification appliances provide a specific rated output level of sound. The output level must meet the 
requirements of the intended protected area(s). Although the 4901 TrueAlert horn notification appliance meets 
the current UL standards for sound, the protected area(s) may have walls, doors, carpeting, furniture, insulation, 
or other obstacles that reduce or even block the sound. For all applications, the sound output must provide 
enough intensity to alert all occupants of the protected area(s), including those occupants that are sleeping or 
hearing impaired for whatever reason. If these occupants cannot hear the notification appliances within the 
protected area(s), you must increase the intensity of the sound output or add additional notification appliances so 
that the occupants can hear the notification appliances when have been activated. Refer to Chapter 6 of the 
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 72 (2002 Edition). 
Notification Appliances are not a substitute for insurance coverage. All users should have adequate levels of life 
and property insurance. 
 
The placement of notification appliances must conform to: 
• Latest NFPA standards and guidelines (Refer to National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 72, 2002 Edition, 
Chapter 6) 
• Sound (sound pressure level) analysis of intended protected areas 
• Local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements 
Notification appliances are not intended for installation within hazardous locations as defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC) or the 
NFPA. Contact Simplex for information on explosion-proof notification appliances designed for hazardous environments. 
Sound Pressure 
Level 
Limitations and 
Placement of 
Notification 
Figure 4. TrueAlert Non-Addressable Horns, 
Directional Characteristics FigureTag FD4-720
  
 
 
574-720 
Rev. G