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EOWS (which stands for Electronic Outdoor Warning Siren/System and occasionally spelled EOWS*) is a series of electronic outdoor warning sirens by Federal Signal Corporation and was made in the 1980s.

A EOWS 612 Siren in Lakewood, Ohio

Six types of sirens were produced.

File:EOWS-SERIES.jpg
All EOWS sirens.

Siren Types/Numbers

  • EOWS 115-omni directional siren on a hexagonal base, rectangular horns, first of two EOWS omni directional sirens.
  • EOWS 408-focused rotating siren, four horns and 8 drivers.
  • EOWS 612-focused rotating siren, six horns and 12 drivers.
  • EOWS 812-focused rotating siren, eight horns and 12 drivers (largest/loudest rotating variant.)
  • EOWS 1212-omni directional siren, an improved version of the 115, also on a hexagonal base but with the type of inversion horns/drivers used on the 408-through-812 rotating variants.

There was also a mobile mounted version, at one time, called the M*12. Most of the EOWS line was discontinued around the early to mid 1990's and newer designs, like the Modulator and DSA, have replaced it. It is possible to order an EOWS 612 on demand, though.

An ad of a Federal Signal EOWS 408 and 812 siren.
This file may be deleted at any time.

Tones

A unique feature of the EOWS series is the ability to conduct routine tests with a Westminster Chime melody instead of the typical blast of a mechanical siren.

The sirens were able to produce these tones:

  • Alert - A steady tone (Mostly Dual toned)
  • Attack - A wailing tone (Mostly Dual toned)
  • Alternating Steady - Rapidly alternating between high and low pitched tones, at 0.5 second intervals.
  • Alternating Wail - Attack tone, Using 2 of those tones, rapidly alternating.
  • Pulse Wail - Rapidly pulsing tones at same time, instead of alternating.
  • Pulse Steady - Rapidly pulsing tone, at 0.5 second intervals.
  • Westminster Chimes - A Popular tone for test purposes. Came in dual tone, then single tone versions. Also came in 8 step, and 16 step versions, either half of hour chime, or full chimes.
  • Whoop - Starts up like attack signal, but cuts off all sound at peak pitch. Only ordered on demand.

Features

The sirens included control boxes and battery packs. They were famous for its wide variety of tones and signals, and battery backup system. A lot of them still exist in the USA.

  • EOWS* Series
  • EOWS* 612
    EOWS* 612
  • Another EOWS 612, in the earlier CD Yellow color.
    Another EOWS 612, in the earlier CD Yellow color.

Colors

In Hawaii, EOWS 612 sirens are mostly yellow. In America, EOWS Sirens range from brown, black, gray, and yellow. However, The color of the siren is indicative of its age. The sirens in the 80's were painted in either Civil Defense yellow or dark gray, and early 90s models were painted light gray, and were almost white. Custom colors, including blue and green, were available, too.


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