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NFPA 72 RE: RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM INSPECTION
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Ken
    NFPA 72 now requires that all RESIDENTIAL fire detection be inspected by a competent trained (and in LICENSE states, licensed) at least once annually.  (The old residential requirements was annually by the homeowner and every 3 years by a competant........)  The code does not specify monitored or not.  If they have to send the customer's insurance company a verification of alarm system annually, perhaps this one should tell it like it is to the insurer?
From the cobwebs ready for Saturday,
Joel Kent
FBN
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RESPONSE
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    Important information.  Why?  Most of you do residential systems.  It's an intrusion system, maybe some home integration and automation added.  Now add a smoke to the system; a CO detector; heat detector.  Does your subscriber think they have a fire alarm system?  When you program the panel are you sending burg and fire signals?  Did you test both signals?  Does the central station know that it's monitoring an intrusion and fire alarm system?
    More importantly, what does your agreement with the subscriber contain when it comes to the fire alarm system?  Does the agreement specify a fire alarm system, fire alarm component devices, smoke detectors?  
    The Standard Residential All in One covers fire alarms and fire detection devices.  The subscriber is required to indicate on the Agreement if the alarm system is a fire alarm system and if it complies with NFPA.  Unless the Agreement specifices that the fire alarm meets NFPA, it doesn't.  Obviously if you represent and contract to provide a NFPA compliant residential fire alarm system then you better know the requirements and follow them.
    Joel comments on one requirement, inspections, there are plenty other requirements.
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SPEND SOME TIME WITH RON DAVIS - READ HIS NEW BOOK
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Good read – Industry leader, Ron Davis, has a new book out you may like and may help your business. – Greatest Ideas.  Here is the synopsis -
 
This is a book about the greatest ideas that have worked for dozens of successful business leaders and entrepreneurs for many years. Ideas about marketing, sales, customer care, accounting, legal issues and many other vital topics that pave the road to success. It's a book by great thinkers, great leaders and, very often, great personal friends. While the ideas in this book mainly come from the alarm and electronic security industries, people outside of that industry have noted this is a book for all businesses. The lessons about creative thinking and success orientation are universal.
 
Available here -
http://www.graybeardsrus.com/greatestideas.html
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