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 ****************************** fire alarm issues: more musing by Joe January 22, 2026 ********************** AIN Live and Learn Convention ********************** fire alarm issues: more musing by Joe ********************** Ken: Regarding the failure of the Central Station to receive its mandated 24-hr test signal: I have noticed when dining at SEVERAL restaurants on the fire alarm keypad (by the front entry as required by code) the display indicates a trouble condition such as PHONE #1 FAILURE. I will take that opportunity to begin discussing the importance of getting this resolved with the manager to insist this issue will indicate the Central Station not getting the proper signal and I am assured the alarm company will be contacted. (*that discussion with the manager will include how would THEY like to be on the ‘news at 6:00 expose’?_ Several days later I take the opportunity to again visit the same dining establishment and notice the issue has not been resolved. I then take the opportunity to contact the local AHJ who is MOST appreciative of the phone call! AND………… On my way to the state association meeting at the Lake of Ozarks we stopped at the motel we would regularly stay overnight. I noticed the name had been changed and upon inspection behind the front counter noticed the battery leads of the fire alarm panel were hanging without the being connected to any standby battery. I immediately demanded a refund, notified the very shocked manager I would be contacting the AHJ to get this ‘oversight’ corrected and we stayed at the establishment down the road. Better safe than sorry as what does Murphy’s Law State (*I remember hearing of the hotel fire occurring where the NFPA meeting was being held - in Lost Wages of all things) This is why the local AHJs in my own area have switched to mandating CENTRAL STATION FIRE ALARM SERVICE (UUFX) from REMOTE STATION (UUJS) after experiencing too many times certificated systems not being brought back into service as intended since UUJS just requires the Central Station to notify and not take full control. Respectfully, Joseph (Joe) Pfefer, President & Founder Jade Alarm Co ************************ Response ************************ I don't always circulate Joe's musings [Musing means being absorbed in thought or contemplation, often used as an adjective (thoughtful, meditative) or noun (a period of reflection, the thoughts themselves) and comes from an Old French word for pondering or dreaming, linked to the word muse.] but his observations as a fire alarm competitor and consumer are worth noting. Fire alarms give rise to the most regulatory oversight and potential for liability in terms of claims and size of potential loss. The bottom line: * use the Fire All in One * insist on code compliance installations * know your central station's response policies and be certain they are consistent with NFPA 72 * be certain that your monitoring subscribers are getting the required inspections and that the fire alarm system is operational at all times. ********************** STANDARD FORMS 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 Sign up for emails from our Mail Chimp service: http://eepurl.com/i-Opgw ************************** 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
