QUESTION:
Ken
I never do an installation without EOLRs. EOLRs are end of line resistors. EOLRs are a SIA and UL requirement. The function they perform is that they add a known amount of resistance to the wire connected to the zone. If that resistance should change, or is lost all-together the panel will show a trouble for that zone. Without them the panel will only recognize an open or short on the zone, creating a situation where the integrity of the wire could be compromised, and no one would know.
I have done several conversions where I have had to add them and was able to make my customer understand their importance. I just looked at another conversion, again that has no ELORs in place. It will be impossible to add them to the windows and doors due to the poor quality of the installation. I have two questions. Do you have a white paper, or position statement on the use of EOLRs? Is there, and do you have a valid, solid, up-holdable, waiver for a situation like this?
Thank You
Rob Croker
*********
ANSWER
I can't answer the technical issue, since I wouldn't know an EOLR if I saw one, but I believe your inquiry raises the issue of either deficiency of installation on a take over system, or the need for notification that additional protection is available. Anyone with comment please let us know.
If the issue is additional protection, that is covered by the Disclaimer Notice and you get that at www.alarmcontracts.com
If the issue is deficiency on a take over, it raises a few points. Once you take over a system you are going to be responsible for that system, and you are certainly going to be blamed if the system doesn't operate as intended [and the definition of "as intended" for purposes of this discussion is - to be unfair - the subscriber's perception of what's intended. That often equates with a guarantee against loss !!].
If you are about to take over a system and you know of a deficiency you should notify the subscriber. Offer to upgrade, fix, replace, whatever the case may be, the system at the subscriber's expense. New equipment will be documented by a sales contract. You would then have the subscriber sign a monitoring contract and a service contract.
You will need to document that what you have removed.
I can't answer the technical issue, since I wouldn't know an EOLR if I saw one, but I believe your inquiry raises the issue of either deficiency of installation on a take over system, or the need for notification that additional protection is available.
If the issue is additional protection, that is covered by the Disclaimer Notice and you get that at www.alarmcontracts.com
If the issue is deficiency on a take over, it raises a few points. Once you take over a system you are going to be responsible for that system, and you are certainly going to be blamed if the system doesn't operate as intended [and the definition of "as intended" for purposes of this discussion is - to be unfair - the subscriber's perception of what's intended. That often equates with a guarantee against loss !!].
If you are about to take over a system and you know of a deficiency you should notify the subscriber. Offer to upgrade, fix, replace, whatever the case may be, the system at the subscriber's expense. New equipment will be documented by a sales contract. You would then have the subscriber sign a monitoring contract and a service contract.
You will need to document that you have removed deficiencies, or that the subscriber was informed of the deficiencies and did not want them corrected. This needs to be in writing., or that the subscriber was informed of the deficiencies and did not want them corrected. This needs to be in writing.
This was a topic some time ago when we discussed liability for remaining silent if you know of defect in the system. It's not a good idea to remain silent, even if you are not under any kind of obligation to provide service.