June 16, 2011

 

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Comment

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Ken,

When setting up fire alarm monitoring I include test and inspection in my quote and contract pursuant to chapter 14 in the NFPA. In the event the customer is adamant about not wanting to bear the cost of test and inspection I introduce them to the code section and explain that if they choose not to use my company to provide this required service they must sign a waiver relieving us of responsibility. This often persuades them to rethink the situation and commission us to do the work. When they don ’t opt for that they sign the waiver of seek out another company.

The struggle I’m having is that most alarm companies don’t understand this requirement and miss the opportunity for the additional revenue and take on a bunch of liability that they are unaware of. They run around town and pick off good fire alarm accounts that are being properly serviced pursuant to the code requirement and dumb it down to a monitoring account. This harms the customer (as their fire alarm will be viewed as non-compliant pursuant to code in the event of a loss), the fellow alarm company (the guy that does it right is ripe to be exploited by the guy that either does not know any better or the guy that doesn’t care), and the industry (none of us look good when we dumb down our service of life safety to being nothing more than a money tree).

Please speak to this and bring me and others some better awareness on how best to handle it.

Thank you for all you bring to our industry

Dan Scherneck

Safeway Security Systems

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Response

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If there is a single alarm system that raises the bar for potential liability, it's the fire alarm system. Fire alarm systems, perhaps more than other types of alarm systems, generally effect not only the subscriber but the general public. Legislation and courts in various jurisdictions recognize the potential for injury to person and property and impose strict installation and operating requirements, governmental approval and oversight, and limit or prohibit protective provisions in alarm contracts designed to insulate the alarm company from liability exposure.

As most of you know who read articles in this forum, the premier contract is the Fire All In One. Why? It is designed to force the subscriber to engage the alarm company for the installation of the fire alarm, service, monitoring and inspection. And, it calls for full compliance with NFPA and AHJ requirements. A subscriber who does not opt for these services does so at its peril. But the buck doesn't stop there.

The alarm company who involves itself in a fire alarm system without paying heed to the AHJ [and NFPA] requirements risks more than a monetary consequence. Loss of license and even criminal prosecution is possible. Think you can certify a fire alarm system is operable when it's not and get away with it if there is a fire and a death occurs? Think again if you think not.

Times are tough in the alarm industry, like many industries, but this industry fought for licensing, promoted professionalism, and touts the importance and significance of alarm protection for the good of the subscriber and public in general. OK, the public, the courts and the legislatures have taken notice. Get with the program and ensure a productive and lucrative business career but following the rules and reducing your business risks. You may have to pass on a job or two, but you'll be better off in the long run and sleep much better.