comment on third party fire alarm inspection reports and recordkeeping June 14, 2022

KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and white list ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
****************
comment on third party fire alarm inspection reports and recordkeeping
June 14, 2022

comment on third party fire alarm inspection reports and recordkeeping from article on June 7, 2022

Ken,
Third-party reporting has been considered one of the best practices in prevention and community risk reduction (CRR). These programs have not only reduced high risk situations, but they've equally reduced false alarms, increased the frequency of system remediation, increased response to systems needing attention, and overall the compliance of entire communities.
Systems are the first line of defense if and/or when a fire occurs. The service industry has driven legislation to require inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM), its frequency, etc. The only entity, however, who can drive the enforcement of such systems are those who enforce the code. The issue? There's an abundance! Competing priorities, budget, lack of human resources, and no way to effectively and efficiently receive,track or manage records.
Third-party platforms have not only engaged those invested in fire and life safety, they've built collaborations and have provided a streamlined, secure and robust process. It's education, engineering, economic incentive, enforcement and emergency response. Technology helps connect people to the information they need to stay ahead of the call.
We know the ultimate responsibility is with the owner, but we also know a high percentage of owners are not licensed to understand system failures, or what a deficiency is. When they hire qualified companies to perform ITM, it has always been (well, for most reputable companies) the service to deliver records to the AHJ. The excuse "I can't tell the AHJ my customer has a deficiency or the system isn't working" is absurd. A company willing to allow the possibility of a fire, or worse, loss of life, is a liability. Period.
Look at the headlines. We've seen far too many large and deadly fires due to lack of maintenance and no one communicating to those who could have assisted in making sure the system WAS functioning.
Possibly, if we realized being on the same page only increases our owner's responsibilities; it levels the playing field. AHJs want to help. They want to work alongside our ITM companies. Service Providers are the most visible entities in our communities. Their services are literally the definition of Prevention and CRR. Maybe they're not told enough how much they do and that every time they walk in and out of a building, they assist in reducing loss of property, but more so lives.
Third-party reporting has increased ISO and Accreditation ratings, increased department savings (significantly), reduced fees and fines associated with non-compliance, and has also increased the revenue of our ITM companies. Those who incorporate that model have seen the increase in overall service and repair; why? Because the AHJ is right beside them supporting, educating, and helping our business community build and maintain safe and resilient communities.
  Thank you for your hard work!
Sincerely,
Jill Cotton

To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com
*
CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304.
*
ALARM ARTICLES:  You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles  updated daily
THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily
*
Wondering how much your alarm company is worth?
Click here:  https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth

Getting on our Email List / Email Articles archived:
  Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list.  Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. You can read articles and order alarm contracts on our web site www.alarmcontracts.com
**********
Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq
Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC
Attorneys at Law
200 Garden City Plaza
Garden City, NY 11530
516 747 6700 x 301
ken@kirschenbaumesq.com
www.KirschenbaumEsq.comv