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 whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** More comment on fire department monitoring fire alarms July 30, 2022 *********************** More comment on fire department monitoring fire alarms *********************** Ken What everyone forgets most of the time is that when a fire department is monitoring the systems they are only monitoring for a fire alarm condition, they typically completely ignore or don’t even receive the troubles, ground faults, low batteries, AC fails and Supervisory messages, these messages are sent because there is a problem with either the system itself or something like a sprinkler system its monitoring. Monitoring for a fire is only part of doing fire alarm monitoring as set forth in NFPA 72 where those signals need to be acted upon in some form or fashion depending on which type of fire alarm monitoring is required. Central Stations are really good at making sure using all the technology available to them to make sure that subscribers and other stakeholders are made aware of the non-fire alarm conditions. Just my opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it. Morgan Hertel, VP of Technology Rapid Response Monitoring 877 553 4531 mhertel@rrms.com ************************ Response ************************ This observation raises serious issues that effects the public when it comes to fire alarm services. If a fire department intends to receive and respond only to actual fire alarm signals you are correct that monitoring centers receive, field and respond to many other signals from the fire alarm system, which you mentioned. A fire department that doesn’t deal with those signals is obviously not providing full service monitoring. We also know that fire departments won’t install, repair or take responsibility for inspection either. A local fire alarm dealer is needed for those services. So really, what’s the point of municipal monitoring? Is it to save the 30 to 60 seconds? It sounds like a commercial fire alarm subscriber would need to continue to retain the professional monitoring center in addition to required direct link and monitoring by the municipal fire department, as well as a local fire alarm dealer. Maybe just the mood I’m in but you hit a raw nerve when you opined that your opinion is “worth exactly what you paid for”. In fact it’s worth a great deal more, immeasurably more. Your opinion, in particular, but also the opinion of many others who graciously contribute to this forum, make it [in my opinion] the most important and informative forum and exchange of ideas in the alarm industry. So, Morgan, thank you for your comments, advice and opinions, and thanks to all who contribute to this forum; your participation is welcome. ************************* 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.com
