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Question:  Taking over burg and fire system
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Ken,
    I own a small low voltage company working mostly on wiring, networking,  CCTV and audio video installations.  I also install small amount of residential burglar alarms but this is not my main business profile. (I use your Residential All in One contract).  Recently I was approach by my existing client who owns a small liquor store to take over his burglar/fire alarm at the store.  I maintain his POS system and take care of his network.
    I do not have a problem with installation of the burglar alarm but don’t know how to approach the fire protection.  His current installation consist of some door, windows sensors and other burglar alarm detection but his  fire sensors are hard wired to the burglar alarm panel.  If I am not mistaken a commercial fire alarm should be separate from burglar alarm.  If I were to take it over should I get someone to install fire alarm portion of this system or can I install wireless detectors with my burglar alarm system?
Best
GB
New York
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Answer
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    You are wise to be leary of fire alarm systems, especially since you are in the City of New York, a highly regulated fire alarm jurisdiction.  Burglar alarm systems are rarely regulated though there are industry standards that should be considered if not adhered to.  Fire is different because not only are there industry custom and practice, manufacturer guidelines but AHJ oversight, permits, inspection and approval.  You must have a license to install alarms in NY, and that includes burg and fire.  In NYC you have to have additional certification for inspection and maybe other fire related services.  You are using the Residential All in One.  That can be used for commercial burg but not fire.  If you are doing commercial jobs you should have the Commercial All in One, and if you decide to do Commercial Fire then you need the Commercial Fire All in One.      If you had the Commercial Fire All in One you would see easily clearly that both you and your subscriber need to comply with code when installing the fire alarm.  Even though you are taking over an installed system you will immediately become responsible for that system.  While you can limit exposure for the burg system by noting that it's a take over and disclaiming responsibility, you can't get away with that when it comes to fire alarms.  Exposure comes not only from your subscriber but others who do have an expectation that both the subscriber and you have complied with fire alarm code requirements.
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