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I am confident that all jurisdictions regulate fire installations one way or another. You are short changing yourself if you don't use the new Fire Alarm All In One - it covers sale, installation, service, inspection, monitoring. It calls for AHJ approval. Use this contract for commercial fire installations - grow you company value with the recurring revenue features and protect your company with the various protective provisions. The below comment promptly this blunt advice.
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Ken,
Again, thanks for these emails and for sharing your knowledge.
Regarding combination fire alarm systems, there are panels listed for residential and commercial use which can have both burglar alarm components and also fire alarm components. Often times the AHJ will specify that combination panels cannot be used in commercial installations even though they are listed for that purpose and permitted by NFPA 72. And, the AHJ usually gets his way.
In many states, Texas included, a commercial fire alarm installation must be planned by a licensed fire alarm planner and installed by a licensed fire alarm technician who is employed by a licensed fire alarm company. The plans usually must be approved by the local AHJ, and the installation will often be inspected by him after the installation.
Also in many states, Texas included, even a residential fire alarm system must be planned by a licensed residential alarm planner and installed by a licensed fire alarm technician who works for a licensed fire alarm company. Combination burglar alarm/ fire alarm panels are usually permitted. All components must be listed for the purpose for which they are intended (fire alarm use).
An important point to remember is that on a combination panel, the fire alarm functions must always take priority over the burglar alarm functions. Thus, a burglar alarm system which has any fire alarm detection devices such as heat detectors or smoke detectors added to it is no longer a burglar alarm system. It has now become a fire alarm system with burglar alarm components added to it. It is properly called a fire alarm system, and must be planned and installed as such. NFPA 72 details how the system must be planned and installed.
And, of course, in Texas and other areas, if the fire alarm system is monitored, it must be monitored by a monitoring station which has a Texas license and has a licensed fire alarm technician as an employee. The monitoring station must be listed by a listing agency or be able to demonstrate that is complies with the same standards. Our Texas fire license number is ACR-2739, my fire technician license is RAS-0132, and our UL number is S9059-1.
As you can see, adding any fire alarm components can increase the licensing requirements, the knowledge requirements, and the liability. Everyone should be certain they understand the requirements of fire alarms systems, and they certainly should have the proper contracts to cover the liability issues.
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