One of the notable features of the Sentry Storm Sirens is its impressive battery life. During tornadic storms, which often occur in series over a span of 3-5 hours, maintaining power supply is crucial. In the event of a power outage caused by the initial storm, the siren’s batteries can keep the system active even after sounding the alarm multiple times before power is restored. This ensures that the warning system remains operational and continues to provide essential alerts to the community.

To guarantee durability and reliability, Pikeville’s custom-made siren is constructed using parts cast from the same metal ingot. This unique manufacturing process ensures that the components expand and contract at the same rate in response to changes in temperature, allowing for significantly closer tolerances and a longer operational life. In fact, when evaluated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for potential use around power plants, Sentry Sirens were estimated to have a remarkable life expectancy of at least 53 years. This outstanding longevity serves as a testament to the siren’s superior quality and ability to withstand various environmental conditions.

In accordance with FEMA’s recommendations, the Sentry Storm Siren is designed to be omni-directional, meaning it doesn’t rotate. This feature allows for 360-degree sound coverage, ensuring that the warning message reaches every corner of the designated area. With each of the four sirens in the warning system capable of providing the FEMA-recommended alert level for outdoor warnings, Pikeville’s community can rely on a comprehensive coverage of 1.5-3 square miles per siren. This extensive reach ensures that a wide area is alerted to potential threats, allowing residents to take necessary precautions and stay safe in times of severe weather.

Siren Monthly Testing

We are pleased to inform you that the installation of the Siren Warning System has been successfully completed and is now fully operational. This state-of-the-art system is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of our community by alerting residents in the event of an emergency.

To ensure the system’s efficacy, regular testing will be conducted every month. The testing is scheduled to take place on the 15th of each month at 5pm. During this time, residents will hear the distinct siren tones that indicate a test is in progress. These tests are crucial in guaranteeing that the system is functioning optimally and can be relied upon in critical situations.

However, it is important to note that in the event of inclement weather on the scheduled testing day (15th of the month), the testing will be skipped until the following month.  This precaution is taken to ensure that adverse weather conditions do not interfere with the reliability and accuracy of the system.

We would like to express our gratitude for your patience during the installation process, as well as for your cooperation in providing feedback on any discrepancies or issues that may arise with the Siren Warning System. Together, we can ensure the safety and security of our community, continuously improving and maintaining this vital emergency alert system.

Frequently Asked Siren Questions

1. Why are they called outdoor sirens?

The sirens are called outdoor warning sirens because their primary purpose is to alert people who are outside to severe weather, chemical, or other emergencies. While you may be able to hear the siren inside your house, this is not the primary function of the outdoor warning siren.

2. What should I do if I hear an outdoor warning siren?

If you hear an outdoor warning siren, you should seek shelter inside immediately.  Once inside, you should turn on a television or radio to find out further information. Local officials will be disseminating information about the emergency through these outlets.

3. When should I expect to hear an outdoor warning siren?

The outdoor warning siren are tested on the 15th of each month at 5pm.  During this time, residents will hear the distinct siren tones that indicate a test is in progress.

4. What is the range of the outdoor warning siren?

The siren wail sound can be heard for an approximate distance of 1.5 to 3 square miles.  Sounds can travel different distances depending on weather and other atmospheric conditions, so please remember these distances are just estimates and that the primary function of the outdoor warning sirens is to warn people who are outside of emergencies.

5. Why is the siren system located at City Hall?

Since the primary purpose of the outdoor warning siren is to alert people who are outside to severe weather or chemical emergencies, the siren was placed in a centralized location.

6. What does the outdoor warning siren look like?

There is a photo at the top and bottom of this page showing the actual siren atop the chimney at City Hall.