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CAMERAS AND AUDIO IN DOCTOR OFFICE 
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Ken,
    I have a potential client in the State of Delaware with 3 commercial buildings that are doctor offices where they want us to install cameras and record voice at the front reception desk, check out area, chemotherapy area, weigh in station and nurses station .  I am concerned first about the recording of voices and what they will need to have in place such as a sign stating they are being recorded and the other is the HIPAA law and patients possibly talking about their medical conditions that are being recorded. Is this violating any laws ?
Thank You,
Tracy A.
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RESPONSE
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    Yes.  Let's deal with the cameras first.  I think you can install them in the areas noted unless patients will be undressing or undressed in those areas.  Also, presumably, except for a new patient coming into the reception desk, all persons in those areas will be employees or patients.  Employees can consent to the cameras in their employment agreement and patients can consent in their intake forms.  Written consent satisfies the voyeurism laws, but not HIPAA.  The video data would have to be carefully and confidentially maintained so that the data was not disclosed or misused.  A patient is entitled to privacy so the video could not be used to even identify the person as a patient of the practice.  Signs will not matter.
    Audio is a different matter, especially in the reception area.  If you are in a one party state then all of the employees can consent in their employment agreement or consent form.  Patients can also consent, but that consent would need to be in writing before audio was engaged.  Also, someone could be in the reception area or even the interior offices without having signed an audio consent form.  There could be two people in the area talking, not to an employee, who have not consented to audio.  Of course the real problem arises when the audio is used improperly, though someone finding out about the audio could make a stink even if the audio is not misused because the singular act of listening or recording the private conversation is illegal.  Again, signs do not matter.
    If you install either cameras or audio I suggest you add to the Agreement that you advised the subscriber to use the equipment lawfully, and I suggest you not be the one who explains what is lawful and what is not lawful.
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NAME WHO SIGNS FIRE ALARM PLANs
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Ken,
    re Commercial Fire All in One Agreement, my boss would like some clarification on who to write into the line for who filed the plans. Would we put the company that filed, the individual that filed, or do we put the individual who stamped the drawings?  Thank you.
Aaron 
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RESPONSE
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    Most jurisdictions require that plans be filed for commercial fire alarm jobs.  The plans are "stamped" by someone who is authorized to prepare and file the plans.  In some jurisdictions that "someone" is an architect or Professional Engineer, and in other jurisdictions others are qualified, including those with an alarm license.  The Commercial Fire All in One has a line item for the name of the person or company filing the plans.  The name that goes on that line is the "someone" who stamps or signs off on the plans.