1. What
is the Quake AlarmTM
? It is an inexpensive earthquake detector for homes,
offices and school classrooms that sounds a loud buzzer
as soon as an earthquake begins.
2. How does the Quake
AlarmTM work/operate?
The Quake AlarmTM
is a small plastic device that is not much bigger than
a thermostat that mounts onto a wall with adhesive velcro
strips and it operates off a nine-volt battery. The
internal components are made up of a patented reverse
pendulum system that is sensitive to "P" waves
that precedes an earthquake. This pendulum moves, tripping
a switch circuit which sounds the loud buzzer.
3. Which earthquakes does
it detect? The Quake AlarmTM
has a sensitivity adjustment whereby it can detect close
by 4.0 earthquakes to quakes of 6.0 and above that are
hundreds of miles away.
4. You mentioned the "P"
wave. What is that and how does the Quake
AlarmTM detect
them? Earthquakes produce many waves caused by the plate
or rock movements beneath the surface. The two main
waves are the "P" compression wave which is
the fastest moving wave. The Quake
AlarmTM is
sensitive enough to detect this wave movement and sound
the alarm before the "S" or shear wave hits.
This gives you a few seconds to help children or others
find a safe place to be, like under a table, and the
buzzer is loud enough to wake you up.
5. How much faster does
a "P" wave travel than an "S" wave?
The United States Geological Survey says an "S"
wave travels 1.75 times slower than a "P"
wave (about three meters/second versus five meters/second).
6. How do you know the
Quake AlarmTM
works? We have been testing the reverse pendulum design
for over five years and have test records of actual
earthquakes that show that it does, in fact, work. There
are a number of units installed right now in homes and
schools about Los Angeles which report into us when
they sound their alarms, and we tie into actual United
States Geological Survey earthquakes they have recorded.
Many times our reporters state they did not feel anything,
but the Quake AlarmTM
sounded its alarm telling us they are detecting the
"P" wave.
7. You say the Quake
AlarmTM operates
off a nine-volt battery. How long do they last? With
intermittent alarming and testing of the units on a
regular basis, a nine-volt alkaline battery will last
about two to five years.
8. Where can the Quake
AlarmTM be
purchased in India? Quake
AlarmTM
is available from General Imsubs P. Ltd.,
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
9. How much time does the
Quake AlarmTM
give you before the quake hits? This all depends upon
how far you are from the epicenter of the quake and
the magnitude of the quake. Based upon how much faster
the "P" wave travels than the "S"
wave, it can usually give you a few extra seconds to
quickly react. Remember that because the Quake
AlarmTM can
wake you up, this warning can give you time to tend
to other family members which you might not have otherwise.
The Quake AlarmTM
also saves time by confirming that what you might hear
or feel is, in fact, an earthquake, so don't waste time,
react.
10. Who makes Quake
AlarmTM ? Quake
AlarmTM is
made by jds Products Inc., USA, which is 25 years old
company and specialized in making safety devices.
11. Why should people use
the Quake AlarmTM
? Because it wakes you up at night at the start of an
earthquake and it confirms that what you might be feeling
is, in fact, an earthquake.
12. How do I know that
place I stay is in hich siesmic zone? Please click
here to see siesmic map of India
13. Can
I use Quake AlarmTM
common for entire building? No, Quake
AlarmTM
is personal safety gadget and is good for one
house, office room, class room or hotel room. It can
not be used as community warning system. As per prevailing
law in India, community sirens and warning systems can
be installed only by Recognized government agencies
like, Fire Brigade. |