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FIRE ALARM – REPLACING SMOKES  
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Ken 
    I have been told that we can replace a smoke detector installed by an electrician with one that has a relay output to trigger our alarm panel.  I had done this on some jobs and then was told that it did not meet code and we couldn’t do it. 
     I attended a fire alarm class taught by a member of the NFPA committee that writes the code.  He said it was fine.  My sales rep for the equipment I use recently told me that it was not legal for us to do that because the other smokes are not UL listed to work with their panel.   I have customers asking me to do it which leads me to my question for you.   
    If we do this, knowing that it doesn’t meet the UL requirements for our panel or the smoke detectors installed by the electricians, are we setting ourselves up for a major lawsuit and the subsequent loss of that suit?  If we have the customer sign off on the fact that it isn’t UL compliant does that release us from any liability?
Anon
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RESPONSE
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    Especially with fire alarms you need to be careful because your exposure extends beyond the claims of your subscriber.  So, getting your subscriber to approve of your deviation from custom and practice, manufacturer specifications, UL guidelines, building code and other AHJ requirements simply isn’t enough.  Don't do it.   
    Even our Standard Fire All in One form is not designed to protect you from willful, wonton, reckless conduct likely to result in harm to others.
    I am not suggesting that you can’t replace the smokes as you describe.  That is an issue for the fire alarm experts.  However, you frame your question stating that you think it’s wrong.  Commercial fire alarms are installed pursuant to AHJ approved plans.  Changes are not permitted without AHJ approval.
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COMMENT ON ONE PANEL FOR BURG AND FIRE FROM APRIL 22 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken
    Any fire panel listed under UL 864 can be used in commercial fire. High end combination panels of all the reputable manufacturers are listed as commercial fire AND burg. Such combination panels are listed under both sections.
    HOWEVER, their use CAN be limited or disallowed in any municipality that specifically forbids combination panels by legislation. (Such as NYC to name one).  A fire official does not have the authority to make changes except under authority of statute.
    Even though the combination panel is listed by a R T L the argument by the regulators is that if the burg side of the panel has a problem and is off line, that MAY affect the fire system, which would then COMPROMISE LIFE SAFETY.
    Just some extraneous data from the windmills of my mind..
JK
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FOLLOW UP ON USING COMBINED PANEL FROM APRIL 22, 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken
    Thank you for the direction.  I finally got a hold of our local AHJ, specifically Anthony Cardali, the Fire Marshall for the Town of Babylon (our client is in Lindenhurst), and this was his response:
    "The Town of Babylon does not permit combination burglar and fire panels.  Fire Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detection are required to be in stand-alone panels."
    I figured I'd send his response back your way to inform others since my question was interesting enough to make the newsletter.
Thanks again.
Anthony 
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RESPONSE
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    Sometimes it's just easier getting it straight from the horse's mouth.
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