How Loud Is The Siren On A Qolsys IQ Panel 4 System?

The four (4) speakers on the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 emit a siren sound at 85 dB. This is similar in intensity to a food blender, a propellor plane flyover at 1,000' (304m), or a diesel truck at 40 MPH at 50' (15m). Decibel ratings are logarithmic, so a 95 dB sound is ten times louder than 85 dB

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4, in Black:

An 85 dB sound is loud enough to startle an intruder, but not loud enough to damage hearing as long as the exposure is brief. If you are subjected to this level of sound for long periods, day after day, hearing damage will likely occur. If you work in a factory that produces an 85 dB sound level ear protection is recommended. There are louder add-on sirens available. They are often mounted outdoors or in areas of the home away from the main system.

There are several ways to add sirens to the Qolsys IQ Panel 4. You can add a Z-Wave siren such as the Qolsys IQ Siren. This little Z-Wave siren packs a punch! It plugs into a standard wall outlet and receives its power from the outlet but has a backup battery for instances where AC power is lost. It produces an impressive 105 dB sound. This is 100 times (10 x 10) as loud as the panel siren and about as loud as a jackhammer. This sound level can be painful if you're standing close by when it's activated.

The Qolsys IQ Siren:

Another way you can add a siren to the Qolsys IQ Panel 4 is by using a wired-to-wireless converter module. Every version of the IQ Panel 4 can support PowerG sensors. So, if you need to incorporate existing wired sensors into your system the PG9WLSHW8 (small enclosure) or PG9HRDW8 (large enclosure) module is perfect. These modules support up to nine (9) wired sensors each but also support the addition of a wired siren. The module provides up to 700 mA of current for a wired siren. If more current is required, a relay and power supply can be added. You can read about this method of adding a siren in another informative FAQ.

The DSC PG9WLSHW8 (small enclosure):

Also mentioned in the above linked FAQ is the Qolsys Hardwire 16-F or the Qolsys Hardwire 16-F w/ Large Enclosure. Much like the PowerG module mentioned above, this is a wired-to-wireless converter module. Instead of PowerG, the Hardwire 16-F uses Qolsys' 319.5 MHz frequency and supports S-Line encryption. So it's not compatible with every version of the IQ Panel 4. Each module can support up to 16 wired zones. In addition, the Hardwire 16-F can support a wired siren, and provide it with up to 500 mA of current. If you require more current, a relay and power supply can be added. This setup is also covered in the FAQ linked at the end of the previous paragraph.

The Qolsys Hardwire 16-F (small enclosure):

The Qolsys IQ Panel 4 comes with a built-in 85 dB siren but offers several different ways for a user to augment the built-in siren with additional sounders. Probably the easiest option is the addition of a Qolsys IQ-Siren which communicates using Z-Wave. These can easily be added all over the premises. In addition to the 105 dB sounder, it offers flashing LED lights upon alarm, for a visible deterrent, or to act as a notification for those who are hearing impaired.