Priority1lss/SafetySite

Description.

The Safety Site is one of a series of compact hazard warning beacons for professional use. Specific domains of use include:Emergency Services, Police, Fire, Rescue and Ambulance, Traffic Management,Accident Warning, Trucking, Transport Roadside Breakdown, Industrial Safety ,HazMat Spills,Helicopter Landing Zones,Private, Commercial and Military, Mining, Personal and Family Protection and Aviation Runway Lighting.
The Safety Site uses a Superbright LED that is magnified by a special lens that projects it's beam forward at a great distance.
     
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Sales Source:
http://www.priority1lss.com
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Specifications for Safety Site

• Body Color:Hi Viz Yellow case / Prismatic Red Reflector/refractor
• Emitted Color: Red(tested)
• Modes:Comet, Single flash, Steady Burn and Flare Flicker
• Power Source: 3XC cell batteries
• Water resistant
• Fabrication:ABS Body, Polycarbonate Refractor/ Gasket sealed
• Dimensions:Total H=4.75", W=4.75 D=3"
• Net weight:368gms /13oz (with batteries)
• Run Time: 80-140 hours
• 5-7 mile visible .Noticeable: 1.5 Miles

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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...

Ease of Use
Fair . Requires some learning. There is a flat but visible control 'pad' that somewhat characterizes the use model. Pressing on the word 'Modes' elicits a turning on of the unit to its first setting 'Comet' (120fpm). Additional presses advance to the next mode. The process is relatively easy to learn but hardly one that one would care to commit to memory.The mode/activation button has no haptic or tactile feedback, so first-time users must figure out for themselves that any region above and including the word Modes is active and that pressing the word 'Off' has no effect. Indeed the label for the activation/modes button is not really a label but a minimized instructional graphic. We found the 'button' too small to be quickly activated with thick winter gloves or hazmat gloves but it was fine to use bare handed.
Replacing the three C size batteries entails removing the gasket-sealed front refractor from the body section by removing three Phillips head screws. Batteries are then simply replaced and the two parts reassembled. This is an operation reserved for down time and not something to be performed on the site of an emergency. This is especially true since delicate wires are exposed that connect the LED module to the battery compartment.
3.5 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . Accomplishes the task of making an otherwise unnoticeable scene very noticeable- signaling caution, hazard or a need for help. Since Safety Sites are available as a kit, we tested the ease of use of a kit in a simulated roadside breakdown. The kitbag design encourages a quick removal from an automobile trunk (boot). Once out of the vehicle, a single zipper opens the entire top , allowing for removal of the flares. We walked away from the rear of the vehicle and individually activated each flare before placing it on the tarmac. Once activated the Safety Site is hard to overlook. The projected bright read beam of light it sends out can blind at close range and is very noticeable at 1.5 miles. A 1/4X20 threaded bushing on the back of each unit encourages mounting to safety triangles as well as barriers- both are highly recommended options for traffic control. Upright on the ground or laid on its back the Safety Site makes a formidable helicopter or airplane landing beacon.
We performed two additional simulations:
A) Pushover Test - The angle at which the flare would fall over
B) Wash Away Test - Amount of water pressure at 12" for 3 seconds required to move a flare a distance of more than 12" on smooth clean concrete pavement.
Both these tests help to predict the stability of the flare if either bumped by a passing person or vehicle or if used in a tempest of high wind and rain.
A) Result= 50º tilt required to topple the flare if pushed from near its highest point to flat on it's face
B) Result=Pointed at top/rear/ 80 PSI
Based on the forgoing we tentatively rate the Safety Site 520 with base and carry case, a score of
5 Points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have not been performed. First impressions are that in normal use they are durable. The extra weight created by the batteries and lack of a handle of any sort indicates that care should be exercised in handling the Safety Site flares in wet conditions as accidental droppage is a possibility .Dropping the Safety Site on its corner and face on concrete from 6' cracked the refractor of one flare enough to render it accessible to water. Based on our trials, we have provisionally given this product a durability rating of:
4 points
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Adaptability
The rear panel of the Safety Site has a brass 1/4X20 tread bushing for attachment to many possible supports. An optional elevation ring adapter for mounting on traffic cones or road triangles is available.
4.5 points
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Pros > 1) Extremely effective alternative to chemical based or incendiary flares 2) Economical in the mid to long term. 3) Predicted to be stable and resistant to toppling and flooding 4) Heavy-duty build quality 5) Commercial grade but useful to consumers 6)Compact 7) Fit in standard traffic cones and may be adapted with accessory kit 8) Hemispheric field of visibility
Cons > 1) Slightly pricey for consumers on a tight budget 2) Modality is a little awkward to activate and change