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SMOKE DETECTION QUESTIONS - RESIDENTIAL
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Ken:
    I have two questions about smoke detection in a residential environment.
    If the home already has existing 120VAC smoke alarms that meet the code requirement, can I install 2 smoke detectors for auxiliary protection, 1 per level on my burg panel and still be in code?
    Also, can I make one of the programmable buttons on the keypad call the fire dept?
    I use your contracts and this is in Alabama.
Thanks for all you do.
John
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RESPONSE
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    I have to defer to the fire experts out there and hopefully several will respond.  These are techinical, rather than what I would call legal issues.  You mention you use our Standard Residential All in One, so I am guessing that you think that might make a difference in answering the question.  The Residential All in One does state that unless a box is checked the fire alarm system is not designed to code.  That might help you if whatever you are doing is not code compliant.  On the other hand, not even the Standard Form Agreements will protect you from gross negligence, and they won't protect you from violation of ordinances and laws.  So if there is a law in your jurisdiction that prohibits programming a device to call the fire department the contract isn't going to insulate you, or your subscriber.
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COLLECTION ISSUE
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Ken,
    I have a commercial account that has cancelled its contracts pre-maturely due to a former employee that went and solicited them as a takeover.  Do you handle single accounts for collection?  If so, can you have the most appropriate person contact us regarding a commercial collection matter? 
Regards,
D in CT
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RESPONSE
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    New collection clients should contact Jesse Kirschenbaum,Esq in my office at 516 747 6700 x 307 or Jesse@KirschenbaumEsq.com.  We are availabe to handle collection matters provided you are using our Standard Form Agreements, otherwise we are only able to assist if you're in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Florida, though even in those states we are not likely to be able to assist if you don't use our Standard Form Agreements.  Those of you who are interested may want to know that our client pay all out of pocket expenses and our fee is 1/3 of what we collect.  This contingency fee does not include counterclaims or consumer complaints, so select your cases wisely.
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T