Grifco - Australian Siren Company (Company Information Post)

[HX56]

Why I wrote this

Being Australian myself, I decided to do some immense research into one of the largest Australian air raid siren companies to have existed: Grifco. Occasionally something related to Grifco appears on this forum, but not too many people know about the products the company had to offer. So, I figured it would be good to write an informative post about Grifco.

A good note: 1 meter = 3.2 feet.

Company Information

Grifco is a company that has existed since 1914, based in West Gosford, which is a part of the Central Coast region in New South Wales. Grifco began to manufacture and produce air raid sirens in World War 2. Currently, I am only aware of 15 Grifco sirens remaining in Australia, There is a high chance I will find more as I work on mapping Australia's sirens, but there is also a potential for some to be located else where in the world.

Grifco Siren Models

Grifco had 5 models of siren that were available for purchase, these were the: 999. 888. 773, 666, and the 663.

Heavy Duty Long Range Sirens

999
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190595816 ... ed-public/

The 999 was the largest siren Grifco had to offer. Being the only 3 phase Grifco siren, It wasn't too popular with municipalities, as it would require them to install a 3 phase connection to the siren. The 999 is the only Grifco siren that was made as dual tone. According to Grifco: "The robust model 999 siren has a distinctive twin rotor design. This model uses 2 rotors to achieve a dual low frequency output & an audibility range of up to 8km. The unit features solid aluminium rotors & housings." Here is all the Grifco model 999 information:

Phase = 3
Voltage (VAC) = 415
Current (A) = 5.7
Power (kW) = 3.0
Power (hp) = 4.0
Duty = Continuous
IP = 55
Total Weight (kg) = 65
Rotor Speed (RPM) = 2880
Sound Intensity 130dB@1m
Range = Up To 8km
Frequency = Low
Height = 430mm
Length = 580mm
Diameter = 370mm

888
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190595816 ... ed-public/

The 888 was Grifco's best selling model with the majority of remaining sirens being this model. According to Grifco: "Popular on suburban & outback fire stations, the 888 siren is built to withstand direct outdoor exposure without the need for any cowling. The horizontal rotor orientation acts as an effective 360 degree sound disperser." Here is all the Grifco model 888 information:

Phase = 1
Voltage (VAC) = 240
Current (A) = 4.0
Power (kW) = 0.55
Power (hp) = 0.75
Duty = 10 Minutes
IP = 55
Total Weight (kg) = 20
Rotor Speed (RPM) = 5280
Sound Intensity = 124dB@1m
Range = Up To 4km
Frequency = Low
Height = 600mm
Diameter = 300mm

Medium Range Sirens

666
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190595816 ... ed-public/

The 666 was Grifco's second best selling model of siren, providing adequate coverage and not being too big. According to Grifco: "The compact design & impressive performance of the model 666 makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. It suits most short to medium range signaling requirements." Here is all the Grifco model 666 information:
Phase = 1
Voltage (VAC) = 240
Current (A) = 0.75
Power = 120W
Duty = 3 Minutes
Total Weight (kg) = 1.5
Rotor Speed (RPM) = 13500
Sound Intensity = 118dB@1m
Range = Up To 1.5km
Height = 200mm
Diameter = 180mm

663
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190595816 ... ed-public/

A larger more industrial version of the 666, imagine it as a redesign. According to Grifco: "An extension of the 666 model, the 663 offers a deeper toned output and heavier construction in cast aluminium. The unit suits applications where a medium tone short range signal is required." Here is all the Grifco model 663 information:

Phase = 1
Voltage (VAC) = 240
Current (A) = 0.75
Power = 140W
Duty = 3 Minutes
Total Weight (kg) = 2.6
Rotor Speed (RPM) = 6700
Sound Intensity = 120dB@1m
Range = Up To 2km
Height = 210mm
Diameter = 200mm

773
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190595816 ... ed-public/

The 773 and Klaxon's SO4 siren have a very large resemblance, they look almost identical to each other. The reason for this is because at the time of this siren's release, Klaxon had just recently opened to the Australian market, so they both had to compete for buyers. According to Grifco: "The model 773 features an intense high frequency output & a range of up to 4km. A wailing timer can be supplied to vary the pitch & maximise the range." Here is all the Grifco model 773 information:

Phase = 1
Voltage (VAC) = 240
Current (A) = 7.5
Power (kW) = 1.2
Duty = 5 Minutes
Total Weight (kg) = 3.5
Rotor Speed (RPM) = 17300
Sound Intensity = 128dB@1m
Range = Up To 4km
Height = 240mm
Diameter = 220mm

End of the line for Grifco air raid sirens
In late 2006, Grifco was sold to The Chamberlain Group, who stopped the production of air raid sirens and focused on Grifco's primary, and most popular industry: Commercial garage doors. Grifco is still around in 2020, but still only producing garage doors, and a few odd other things.

I apologise for any spelling or grammar mistakes, this was a lot to write!

Hope you guys found this interesting! I spent over 8 hours researching this and I had fun writing about it!

- HX56

[NottaFoamer]

Wow that is very interesting! I hope we can get more information about this new company

[HX56]

Wow that is very interesting! I hope we can get more information about this new company

Thanks! Grifco isn't new though, if you read it all, Grifco stopped making sirens in 2006.

[NottaFoamer]

Wow that is very interesting! I hope we can get more information about this new company

Thanks! Grifco isn't new though, if you read it all, Grifco stopped making sirens in 2006.

By new I ment recently discovered. But do we have any information on what the housings looked like on these things? That is if they even had any

[championsiren]

But do we have any information on what the housings looked like on these things? That is if they even had any

They looked like Model X's with a LOT more louvers.

I'm not sure what this model is but I'm guessing that its a Model 888.

[SirensOfNewYork]

Do you have any pictures?

[championsiren]

Do you have any pictures?

There are some in dark corners of the internet, hidden away. Thats the only pic I could find not including the small sirens.

[sirensandfirealarms]

But do we have any information on what the housings looked like on these things? That is if they even had any

They looked like Model X's with a LOT more louvers.

I'm not sure what this model is but I'm guessing that its a Model 888.

This siren was not built by Grifco, there is a photo of the same unit without the cover on, and its tag says "Britsh General Electric Company" on it

[SirensOfNewYork]

But do we have any information on what the housings looked like on these things? That is if they even had any

They looked like Model X's with a LOT more louvers.

I'm not sure what this model is but I'm guessing that its a Model 888.

This siren was not built by Grifco, there is a photo of the same unit without the cover on, and its tag says "Britsh General Electric Company" on it

Well now we have another siren company to research!

[Chicagosiren-hunters]

So...what about this Grrico siren then?

Grifco 'model 2' 2.jpg (50.58 KiB) Viewed 3888 times