KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ
ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE
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Training subscriber on fire alarm system and protocol / Comment on cs operators working remote
August 23, 2022
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Training subscriber on fire alarm system and protocol  
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Ken
            Does Florida require any onsite training for residents on how to react during a fire emergency?
Dan Torpey | Senior Systems Consultant
DGA Security
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Response
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            The short answer is No, there is no such requirement in Florida.  I am not aware of requirements in any jurisdiction, though I won't be surprised to find out there are such requirements; it's certainly a good idea. I seem to recall that there are consumer laws that require instruction on how the alarm system works; a false alarm deterrent.  I don't know if NFPA 72 has any guidance.
            I asked Matt Haiman of Premier Alarm System in Miami, Fl, who confirmed no law requiring training.  I asked him, when you install a fire alarm do you spend any time explaining how it works?  Any fire procedure and protocol? Here is his answer:
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Ken
            Yes, we do.  After the installation we will train key personnel ie: maintenance director Property Manager security guard any board members.  We would teach him how to read the panel, how to operate the speaker controls, whether it’s pushing the All call button or selective floor operation, and how to key the mic and reset the  alarm.
Mat Haiman
Premier alarm system
Miami, Fl
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Comment on cs operators working remote from article on August 9, 2022
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Ken
            Do you not see anything ominous about central station operators working from home?
            Specifically, Do you see any issues with Zwirn's concerns and how if might affect wording in your dealer contracts or the central stations contract with dealers?
            Or Not?
Jim Davis
Certified Alarm
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Response
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            Whenever there is a mechanical or human component there is possibility for error.  It's called mechanical or human error, a mistake.  An honest mistake could constitute negligence, an intentional mistake or very great mistake, gross negligence. 
            Central stations have their fair share of lawsuits by subscribers who have suffered loss and blame it on a faulty alarm or failure in central station response.  Operators make mistakes even when working at the central station.  Whether working remotely offers additional distractions and chance for more mistakes is a reasonable assumption, but hardly scientific and certainly not a subject requiring an expert opinion at a trial.  In fact, as Jeff has pointed out, NFPA has approved remote operators.  If an operator makes a mistake and a subscriber suffers a loss, it's not going to matter if the operator was at the central station or at home or elsewhere.
            There doesn't need to be any particular contract change to address this issue.  The All in One does provide that the subscriber can get the central station's monitoring protocol upon request.  The purpose of that is so the subscriber can know how the central station intends to respond to different signals that the alarm system is capable of sending.  That protocol information is not likely to include internal working conditions at the central station and won't necessarily reveal if there is remote operator monitoring.  The All in One updated forms already have, in my opinion, the best available contractual protection.  If you're not using the Standard Form Agreements I strongly suggest you get them, today.
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To order up to date Standard Form Alarm /  Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com
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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