KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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Comments on UL and municipal regulations for fire and burg / Can’t perform fire inspection with covid-19 restrictions  Why you should use our central station - webinars continue today
July 23, 2020
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Today's webinar:  starts at noon ET.  Register now:

Allstate Security Industries Inc – July 23, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7997485149440152333

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Comments on UL and municipal regulations for fire and burg from article on July 16, 2020
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Ken,
            Responding to Anonymous’ question about “a directory of all nationwide regulations of burglar alarms,” and UL requirements for monitoring burglar alarms.  I would suggest that Anonymous’ company join the State Alarm Associations in each state that it monitors in.  It’s not that expensive and well worth it.  The members of the State Associations are on top of the regulations and ordinances promulgated by the governmental entities, and, many times, are instrumental in adopting, adapting, and changing them.  Anonymous didn’t say whether or not the station is a third party central station, but if it is, supporting the Associations is a good business practice and good marketing. 
 Mitch Reitman
 Reitman Consulting Group
Fort Worth, TX
817-698-9999
http://www.reitman.us
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Ken:
             NFPA is not a NRTL (National Recognized Testing Laboratory). NFPA sets the Standards by which codes and testing laboratories refer to for what is tested. UL and ETL are NRTLs as is FM (Factory Mutual). 
Anon
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Response
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            Regarding NFPA, thanks for the clarification.
            Regarding a national directory, the issue came up during one of the central station webinars that K&K started July 13, 2020 and will be continuing into August.  Apparently there are over 6000 jurisdictions that nationwide central stations need to be aware of and have telephone numbers for.  I’m not sure if there is a “directory”.  The webinars are recorded and can be heard here:  https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars
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Can’t perform fire inspection with covid-19 restrictions
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Ken, 
            As you may know, Fire Marshals, Governors, Property Management Companies and their liability insurance providers are not on the same page with what should/not be done for annual fire alarm/sprinkler inspections during COVID-19.The last time I spoke with the local Fire Marshals (we were in Phase 1) about the possible exposure to/transmission of the virus during the walk-through portion of annual inspections for multi dwelling units (hotels, condo buildings, apartment complexes, etc.) where sick and high-risk populations are being urged to remain, they said we could postpone the walk-through portion.  Until today, all of our customers have agreed it is in their best interest to postpone the walk-through portion so we have been sounding the alarms, testing equipment located in common areas and sprinkler/riser rooms, and we plan to return at a later date to do the walk-through portion.  
            Today a property manager contacted me requesting the walk-through (we did the inspection w/o walk-through in May).  We recognize we have contractual obligations to perform a complete inspection (including the walk-through) and while we are taking precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging employees to remain home if they are feeling unwell, increasing hand hygiene, practicing social distancing, etc., we have safety and liability concerns about doing walk-throughs before the virus has subsided.  Maryland and Delaware are currently in Phase 2, and we are still unable to enter government office buildings like the Fire Marshal’s office. 
            What are other companies doing right now?  If we offer and the customer accepts a credit for the walk-through portion of the inspection (with the understanding the credit will be removed if the walk-through is done before the next annual inspection is due) does that relieve us of any contractual obligations?  If so, how do I word that?  Do you have any other suggestions about how to respond to her request to walk the units?
Anon
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Response
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            You should get our Covid-19 written protocols, the first form listed at www.alarmcontracts.com
            Fire inspections are part of the Fire All in One.  Inspections are required by the AHJ and the scope of the inspection is dictated by the AHJ.  If the AHJ is not requiring walk-through then you don’t have to perform the walk-through.  You can document that in your Inspection Report.  
            Just as you would have to perform additional inspection if requested by the AHJ, you can be relieved of performance by the AHJ.  The AHJ sets the parameters of the inspection.  
            I don’t think you should be offering discounts for reduced inspection services on a temporary basis based on AHJ directives.  The Fire All in One provides for inspection, but does not detail the inspection service.  I’m not sure if you itemized the inspection process, but in the future you should probably provide for “inspection per AHJ requirements”. 
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Central station webinars
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            Not all central stations on The Alarm Exchange have opted to participate as of yet.  You still have time.  Contact our Concierge Coordinator Stacy Spector,Esq at SSpector@Kirschenbaumesq.com or 516 747 6700 x 304.  You just might pick up one or more dealers.
            And, speaking of dealers, selecting the right central station is important; there’s lots to consider.  K&K is saving you the trip to Vegas and bouncing from one booth to another, stuffing your pockets with candy and pens [not that there is anything wrong with that].  You have and you will be hearing from the best of the best in this webinar series.  
            Keep in mind that any legitimate central station is going to require you to sign a Dealer Agreement.  This isn’t a car rental contract at the airport.  It can be modified and you need to ask for those modifications.  I’ve designed a Rider that applies to every central station Dealer Agreement because it includes all the provisions a dealer should be asking for and is entitled to.  If you are negotiating with a new central station or re-negotiating with your current central station, be sure to get the Rider.  It’s $500 and well worth it.  Order it at www.alarmcontracts.com in the Monitoring Centers Contracts category.
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Central Station* 2020 webinar series K&K is hosting webinars by central stations, one at a time, who will address "why you should be using our central station".  Each webinar will be approximately 20 minutes and then Q&A opportunity.  See what your central station has to offer or what others offer, enabling you to choose the right central station for you.  You should be using a central station listed on The Alarm Exchange to be assured of quality and more importantly, accountability.
  *  only central stations on The Alarm Exchange will be invited to participate
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Register Now for the CS webinar series: 
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Allstate Security Industries Inc – July 23, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7997485149440152333
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Acadian Monitoring Services – July 27, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8197119078067190030
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General Monitoring Services  - July 28, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6847800607085109776
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Cops Monitoring - July 29, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5614688421138368523 

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Security Partners - July 30, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2765625095170808591 
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National Monitoring Center - July 31, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2527889790544756495

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Electronix Systems Central Station Alarms - August 6, 2020
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2606752262202465549
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Central station 2020 webinars
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             Not all central stations listed on The Alarm Exchange have opted to participate in our webinar series, "Why you should be using our central station" and I've been wondering why.  Only answer I can come up with is, apparently, they don't think you should be using their central station.  Go figure.
            Our central station's webinars have begun.  Register now.  
            Central stations will have the opportunity to tell you what services they offer, to what extent the services are unique or specialized and what you can expect to pay.
  
            The webinars offer an excellent opportunity to interact with your central station, scope out another central station, and consider whether you want to move accounts or open new accounts with a particular central station.  Am I encouraging central station hopping?  No, but I am encouraging you to use central stations listed on The Alarm Exchange.  Why, for you, not me.  You get the added protection of knowing that the listed central stations are expected to deal with dealer issues and cooperate with a goal of resolving disputes. Those that fail to co-operate risk having their post removed from The Alarm Exchange.  That may not sound like a big deal to you, but check out The Alarm Exchange central station category.  Every major reputable central station is participating.  If your central station isn’t, move to one that is.  If you don’t, don’t bother complaining to me about problems you have with the central station; I have no relationship with that central station and won’t be able to make a call to resolve your issue.  
            So make some time to attend the webinars, by video or on your phone.  They will all be recorded and you will be able to view or hear them by visiting the K&K website and navigating to the alarm webinars:  https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars
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To order up to date Standard Form Alarm /  Security / Fire and related Agreementsclick here:  www.alarmcontracts.com
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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.
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NOTICE:  You can always read our Articles on our website at ww.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles
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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