Fire Alarm Systems Provide Early Warning To Employees And Fire Departments

We have talked a lot about business security solutions and the benefits of a home security system. However, it is important not to forget about fire alarm systems for your business.

The threat of fire for any business is real. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, direct property loss because of fires was estimated at $12.5 billion in 2009. A fire can be devastating to any business.

In August, a fire ripped through a string of buildings in Fullerton, Calif. According to the Orange Country Register, six businesses were destroyed with at least $2.2 million in damages. A clothing store, a restaurant and a hair salon were among the businesses lost in the fire.

To help prevent the catastrophic loss of valuable assets, lost revenue and most importantly life, a professionally installed fire alarm system can help provide early warning.

Benefits of professionally installed fire alarms include:

• Sprinkler system supervision
• Periodic inspections, testing and maintenance
• 24-hour monitoring
• Support initiating devices

If fire fighters arrive early enough, priceless business assets can be saved. When considering a fire alarm system be sure to consult with a professional to see what is best for your business.

Another benefit of having a fire alarm system professionally installed is the professional relationship some alarm companies have with local fire authorities.

When looking for a fire alarm company, you want to work with one that has a good-standing relationship with local fire authorities. This can help to prevent any code issues that can arise.

Why Most Fire Alarm Companies Stink…And What You Can Do To Get a Quality Fire Alarm Installation

A Contractors Guide to Hiring the Right Fire Alarm Company for Your Next Big Job

Let’s be honest…most fire alarm companies STINK.

Not only are they slow and unreliable; many of them are downright awful!

You’d be hard pressed to find a single contractor that doesn’t have a list bigger than a book filled with gripes and complaints about the problems they’ve had with FACs (Fire Alarm Companies).

Complaints like:

• “They can’t seem to get a single job done on time unless you ride their butt the whole way!”

• “Most fire jobs are a huge hassle with tons of punch list items.”

• “All FACs seem to do is run up costs and delay completion times. It’s like they have no clue what they’re doing!”

But you already know the problems with FACs and I’m willing to bet that you can add a lot more to that list.

Unfortunately, despite how bad most FACs are, you have little choice but to work with them. There’s no building a code compliant job without them, and that means that you need an FAC so that you can make money.

So what can you do about it?

How Successful Contractors Turn Terrible FACs into Amazing Partners

As a first or second tier contractor, it’s your neck on the line if one of your sub-contractors messes up.

Your reputation and your livelihood depend on completing each job on time, on budget, and with full code compliance.

When your FAC screws up, they’re taking money off of your family’s table!

And since screw ups seem to happen so often, there’s a good chance that you’re already feeling the pinch.

Fortunately, a select few VERY successful contractors have figured out some secrets that nobody else knows.

These secrets allow them to work with a nearly mythical group of FACs that finish code compliant jobs ahead of schedule and under budget. Even better, these companies don’t charge any more than their incompetent competitors.

As you keep reading, you’re going to discover their closely guarded secrets. You’ll learn what you can do to get a quality fire alarm installation and finally understand:

• Why FACs fail so often; no matter how many different contractors you try.

• How a few common mistakes with job purchasing can lead to very costly FAC screw-ups.

• Where to find those very rare FACs that actually deliver on-time, quality work.

• How to establish a strong relationship with your FAC that causes them to work harder and complete the project how you want it done.

• The quickest ways to destroy your chances of success when hiring and working with a FAC (and how to avoid them).

With so much money at stake when things go wrong, you need to read the rest of this report today. I promise that you won’t regret it.

Why Most Fire Alarm Companies Are Hurting Your Bottom Line

Most FACs aren’t filled with unskilled slackers. In fact, a lot of them are packed with very hard working and highly talented people.

Unfortunately, many just don’t have the right knowledge or mindset to accomplish your objectives effectively. By understanding this, you’re well on your way to figuring out how to correct the problem.

Here are some important things you should know about FACs:

• They Aren’t Contractors – These guys know fire alarms better than anyone but they’re not contractors. They don’t understand construction schedules, best practices, and protocols. They’ve never learned proper project management practices, job site safety, etiquette, or the other issues that come as second nature to contractors.

• They Lack Project Management Experience – Most FACs are used to smaller, simpler jobs. These small jobs don’t require the complicated project management details necessary for larger construction projects. Most FACs just don’t have the experience or knowledge to manage projects and handle schedules on new construction or renovation projects.

• National Company Personnel Turnover – National fire alarm companies go through so much downsizing, transferring, and employees working on multiple assignments at once that you’re lucky to see the same person in charge for more than six months! This can be a major problem on longer jobs that need one person in charge who is responsible for the project’s success.

• Business Model Doesn’t Support Construction – It’s common practice for most FACs to place all of their labor on a project and leave it there till the job is done. That’s great for short term jobs, but is very costly and simply not practical for major construction or renovation projects.

Contractors Are Part of the Problem

It would be nice to think that FACs hold all of the blame for any issues they’re involved with in a job.

Nobody likes to be blamed and it’s more comfortable to believe that we’re in the right than the other guy. However, successful contractors, the real stars, know differently.

They understand that there is always room for improvement and they are willing to critically evaluate their own practices to get ahead.

In particular, revaluating your buying practices can go a long way towards selecting the right FAC for your jobs. Here are some of the most common mistakes that contractors make during the buying process:

• Buying Jobs Based Upon Low Upfront Costs – Many contractors mistakenly believe a low upfront cost will save them money. Instead, you should consider projected ending costs, labor delay claims, penalties, and other costs that may drive up what you pay significantly.

• Focusing Exclusively On Project Design and Equipment – Too many contractors are so focused on the design and equipment elements of a job that they completely forget other important parts of a bid. Make sure to pay attention to their fire alarm installation execution history and work schedules as part of your overall evaluation.

• Misunderstanding the FAC’s Bid – By not paying close attention to each company’s bid for work, you’ll run into surprises down the line that can be costly. Pay special attention to the project management and installation costs as these are common areas of scope of work misunderstandings.

• Failure To Communicate Regularly – Communication is essential throughout the project, yet too many contractors take a “set it and forget it” mentality. Instead, you should maintain strong communication with your FAC from pre-bid all the way until the building is finished. Since changes happen to the project design far after initial bids are submitted, FACs must be kept in the loop in order for them to finish the job on time and without mistakes.

• Not Negotiating Aggressive Penalties – Establishing severe penalties for poor or late work sets a strong motivation for your FAC to do quality work in a timely fashion. Make sure to make penalties that start shortly after the bid has been accepted, not just for job completion.

How to Select a Top Performing FAC for Your Job

Now that we’ve uncovered the problems that lead to most fire alarm installation screw-ups, it’s time to learn how top contractors do things differently. It all starts with selecting the best FAC.

Choosing the right FAC is absolutely essential to completing your job on time and up to code. Just because MOST fire alarm companies stink, doesn’t mean all of them do.

While selecting a good one can be hard, it’s not impossible. Here’s how to do it right:

• Buy Local If Possible – With local fire alarm companies you’ll generally get more consistency with personal, the ability to talk directly with the owner, and less downsizing and leadership changes. Decisions happen quicker…there’s no corporate red tape to cut through…and you get the same bonding and performance as you do with the corporate giants.

• Use an Open Source System – Make sure that more than one company can work on the system being installed and supply parts to it. If you don’t have alarms that any qualified alarm technician can work on, you’re stuck with a company that can raise rates and cause problems without you being able to fire them. That is, unless you want to rip out their system and install a whole new one.
  

• Get All Aspects Of the Project In the Bid – Require that project management, execution, and documentation details all be included as separate line items on the bid. This way you know that the company you are considering has adequately covered these areas and has carefully considered them for your project.

• Lay Your Own Pipe and Pull Your Own Cable – Most FACs sub out this work, so by doing it yourself, you’re saving money and not having to rely on the work of an unreliable third party.

• Always Thoroughly Check References – Before you award a contract to an FAC, take the time to speak with references about the quality of work. Make sure that the people you talk to were part of projects with a similar size and scope as your own.

• Select a Winning Bid Based On Ending Price – Consider the quoted price but also include known design issues, anticipated change orders, probability of completing on time, and anything else that may change the final price. Often times the most valuable bid isn’t the lowest priced one going in. Your finished job costs are what counts.

• Discuss Possible Issues – There is always a possibility that something could go wrong on a job. By talking about potential issues upfront, you’re prepared and ready to act in case problems arise.

Common Mistakes When Dealing With FACs

We’ve nearly made it to selecting a great FAC for your next job. But you’re not out of the woods yet.

Even by following the rules above, there are still some common mistakes that can leave you with yet another terrible FAC. Avoid these common pitfalls and you’ll be ready to pick a winner:

• Ignoring Your FAC – With many projects going several months between a bid being accepted and the FAC actually starting to work, it’s important that you regularly update them on any changes that are being made to the site. You need their part done as quickly as possible. If they have to change the set-up at the last minute, you’ll lose a lot of time and money.
  

• Failure To Communicate – Without a regular flow of communication between you and the FAC, it’s impossible for them to know exactly what you need to happen. Regular communication prevents wasted time and major mistakes. Include communication time with your FAC in your critical path project schedule.

• Buying Solely On Quoted Price – It’s already been mentioned a few times but this is incredibly important. Never rely on the quoted price to make your decisions. Factor in risk factors, warranty costs, labor delay claims, false alarm costs, client inconvenience, and building occupancy issues.

• Going With Single Source Providers – By having only one company that can service your project, you are asking for trouble. Even if they are a great company right now, what happens down the line when they change management or want to double their price for service?

• Disregarding the Management Structure Of the FAC – Make sure you’ll be speaking to the person that can actually make decisions at the company and not just another crony without any real control. You also want to know that the person in charge is unlikely to be let go, terminated, or transferred elsewhere while your project is ongoing.

• Failure to Check Claims Made By FAC – Unfortunately, it’s far too common for companies to have outdated licenses, reduced bonding capability, expired personnel qualifications, and other similar issues. Always closely examine the company before offering them the job.

The Next Step

Now you know the secrets that have lead the very top contractors to continually find, hire, and effectively coordinate the top fire alarm companies to deliver fantastic work.

By making this part of every job run smoothly, they’re able to get increased profits, a better reputation, and significantly reduce their stress.

However, there is one final secret, and it’s an important one. The fact is most people who read this will not do anything about it.

That’s right, even though you now know how beneficial following this guide can be, and even though it’s not going to cost you any more money, many of you will not change one bit.

You may think this information was great but by the time your next job comes you’ll completely forget about it and do what you’ve always done. Or you may just think it sounds like too much extra work and consciously decide to ignore this advice.

No matter what I say, no matter how beneficial this is, there’s simply no changing some people. And that’s fine; you’ll get the same lousy results from your FACs as always and go on complaining about how awful they all are.

I challenge each of you to not be the person that disregards this. Stand out from the crowd, follow these simple rules, and discover how much easier your life becomes when you don’t have to worry about your FAC messing up.

If you want to work with an FAC that truly understands these issues and knows how to succeed with fire alarm installation jobs of any size, call Hue & Cry Security Systems at 800-762-3196 today. You can also visit our website to learn more about us. You’ll discover our track record for installing code compliant fire alarms, on time and with no hassle, for projects of all sizes in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Critical Steps To Choosing A Strong Business Security System

Choosing a business security system can be a difficult and time-consuming process. It requires patience and collaboration among decision makers at your business.

There are several critical steps you need to follow when choosing a business security system.

Step 1: Discussion

• Have a period of time to discuss what type of security you want for your business. Be sure to discuss a budget. Take as much time as you need to talk during the discussion period. You want to have a clear plan of what security needs are most important.

Step 2: Security Cameras

• Discuss with your employees and managers if they would like surveillance cameras. For some, this may be too intrusive. Be sure to discuss locations. You may want cameras outside of your business.

Step 3: Access Control Cards

• Discuss if access control cards are the right fit for your business. Access control systems keep doors locked until an employee uses his or her access control card to remotely open the door. This is a good day-time business security solution.

Step 4: Fire Alarms

• Having a fire alarm is a very important safety feature. You will want to find a company that has good working relationships with fire departments across the country.

Step 5: Security Alarm

• You will need to have a discussion about what type of security alarm you want. Do you want motion detectors, 24 hour monitoring, etc. See what security features best match your business and your budget.

Once you have discussed various business security solutions, you will be able to work with a security system provider to help carry out your business security plan.

CALIFORNIA ADOPTS THE 2010 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE RESIDENTIAL SPRINKLERS

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, the State of California, Building Standards Commission (BSC), voted 10-0 to adopt the new 2010 California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5), which will include a historical chapter requiring the installation of fire sprinklers in all new residential construction including 1 and 2 family dwellings and townhouses.

Please let us know how you feel about this new requirement.

Michael Culmer

THE PITFALLS OF THE “CHEAP FIRE ALARM” ROUTE

In these difficult economic times, every business dollar spent must be justified and bring in some kind of return.  Many times the services and equipment that don’t show immediate revenue returns get pushed aside or the lowest cost option is chosen.  In regards to your fire alarm system, this action can be even more costly in the future.  

I can’t tell you how many times that property managers and building owners have made the decision to delay repairs to their fire alarm system, or opted to take a less expensive option, only to have the original issue reoccur with an even more expensive fix.  Fire alarm wiring repairs that are done by a non-C10 licensed contractor often times end up creating more issues with that renders the fire alarm system disabled.  Delaying or not replacing initiating devices (smoke & heat detectors) that are past their life expectancy can result in reduced detection capacity or numerous false alarms, which can incur costly fines from the responding fire department. Not replacing the backup batteries can cause a failure of the system to operate during a power outage, which is when many buildings are at their most vulnerable to fire. 

The best practice the building owner can take is to make the investment to have their fire alarm system tested and inspected on a regular basis, as per the national fire code.  This will insure that the system functions as designed, when needed.  It also keeps repair and maintenance costs to a minimum, and prolongs the life of the fire alarm system.  It is better to spend a few hundred dollars a year, protect your property and reduce your liability, than to have to spend thousands upgrading a system because of out-of-date devices, or in repairing a fire damaged building.

Lori Lumbattis

SACRAMENTO 2009 FIRE FORUM

The Sacramento Area Alarm Association

Where: TMS Event Center  

Seating is limited, so please R.S.V.P. in advance to Dave Lomas at dlomas@adt.com OR Rich Whitlock at r.whitlock@hueandcry.com.   Thank you in advance!   We look forward to seeing you there.

CENTRAL STATION SERVICE

By Richard J. Roux and the NFPA Engineering Team

The responses to these questions are prepared by NFPA technical staff to help users understand NFPA codes and standards. However, the responses aren’t formal interpretations issued pursuant to NFPA regulations. Any opinions expressed are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the NFPA or its Technical Committees. The responses are neither intended, nor should be relied upon, to provide professional consultation services.

Q. The Code refers to 3 types of Supervising Stations.  Why does it refer to Central Station as a “service” rather than a “system”?  Can you explain the difference between certificated and placarded?

A. NFPA 72®-2002, National Fire Alarm Code®, Chapter 8, covers the requirements for the performance, installation, and operation of fire alarm systems at a continuously attended supervising station and between the protected premises and the continuously attended supervising station and the various transmission technologies available.

In many cases, the Life Safety Code®, NFPA 101, requires emergency forces notification to be provided to alert the municipal fire department and fire brigade (if provided), of fire or other emergency per Section 9.6.4.  This requires automatically conveying the protected premises building alarm condition to a continuously attended remote location.  (Note that NFPA 72, Chapter 8 also provides requirements for guard’s tour, supervisory, trouble and test signals).  In Chapter 8, NFPA 72 provides for three types of Supervising Stations:

1. Fire Alarm Systems for Central Station Service, Section 8.2
2. Proprietary Supervising Station Systems, Section 8.3
3. Remote Supervising Station Fire Alarm Systems, Section 8.4

Although the central station is considered by many to be a physical location occupying a building or a portion of a building, it provides actions and functions not required of proprietary or remote station systems.  Although the proprietary or remote station systems could provide these same actions and functions, they are not required by the Code.  The central station is required by the Code to provide six (6) specific services; these services are referred to as elements.  The six elements that are required to be provided by the central station are listed in Section 8.2.2.  These are as follows:

1)  Installation of fire alarm transmitters

2)  Alarm, guard, supervisory, and trouble signal monitoring

3)  Retransmission

4)  Associated record keeping and reporting

5)  Testing and maintenance

6)  Runner service

As the Code requires all six elements to be provided, if any one of the elements is lacking, the protected premises does not have central station monitoring.  The monitoring is effectively reduced to remote station monitoring.

In addition to the six elements, the Code requires the central station service elements to be provided under contract to a subscriber by one of the following:

1)    A listed central station that provides all of the elements of central station service with its own facilities and personnel.

1. A listed central station that provides, as a minimum, the signal monitoring (element 2), retransmission (element 3), and associated record keeping and reporting (element 4) with its own facilities and personnel and is permitted to subcontract all or any part of the installation (element 1), testing and maintenance (element 5) and runner service (element 6).
2. A listed fire alarm service – local company that provides the installation (element 1), testing and maintenance (element 5) with its own facilities and personnel and subcontracts the monitoring (element 2), retransmission (element 3), and associated record keeping and reporting (element 4) to a listed central station.  The required runner service (element 6) is to be provided by the listed fire alarm service–local company with its own personnel or the listed central station with its own personnel.
3. A listed central station that provides the installation (element 1), testing and maintenance (element 5) with its own facilities and personnel and subcontracts the monitoring (element 2), retransmission (element 3), and associated record keeping and reporting (element 4) to another listed central station.  The required runner service (element 6) can be provided by either central station.

It becomes obvious how the Code specifically ensures that in every case, all 6 elements are required to be provided by a listed central station or listed fire alarm service – local company and under written contract.  There are related types of contract service that often are provided from, or controlled by, a central station but that are neither anticipated by, nor consistent with, the provisions of Section 8.2.2.  Although Section 8.2.2 does not preclude such arrangements, a central station company is expected to recognize, provide for, and preserve the reliability, adequacy, and integrity of those supervisory and alarm services intended to be in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2.2.

Typically, the listed central station provides the three elements at the supervising station and subcontracts one or more of the elements at the protected premises.  Most commonly, the central station subcontracts part of the installation.  A typical situation where this might occur includes those facilities where a sprinkler system installer, acting as a subcontractor of the listed central station operating company, installs the fire alarm and supervisory initiating devices on the sprinkler system at a protected premises.

Many fire alarm system installers connect protected premises fire alarm systems to a location remote from the protected premises, which monitors signals.  Relatively few such arrangements meet the requirements of Section 8.2.3 and should not be called a ‘‘central station service.’’  Only service that incorporates all six elements of central station service provided by listed alarm service providers who design, specify, install, test, maintain, and use the system in accordance with the requirements of Section 8.2.3 should be called ‘‘central station service.’’

To assure the baseline level of quality for a central station fire alarm system, the Code requires a testing laboratory, acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, to list both the equipment and the operating company providing the service.

The Code requires that fire alarm system service providers only use listed equipment.  The listing process involves not only testing the equipment to make certain it performs properly, but also inspecting the production of listed equipment to make certain the manufacturer has not changed the product after the laboratory has tested it.

Most authorities having jurisdiction accept the services of one or both of these testing laboratories: Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and FM Approvals (FM).  Both laboratories rely on the requirements of the Code to guide their testing requirements.

Representatives of the laboratory visit each central station operating company to review records of signals and to audit the personnel performing operations and service.  The representatives verify the construction of the physical central station and check the equipment and the power supplies.

Both Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and FM Approvals also provide for the listing of fire alarm service – local companies.

The Code requires that the protected premises be certificated or placarded, thus attesting that the protected premises fire alarm system is, in fact, provided with all 6 elements required by Section 8.2.2 and meets the contractual requirements of Section 8.2.3.  For this reason, Section 8.2.4 requires the prime contractor to conspicuously indicate that the fire alarm system providing service at a protected premises complies with all the requirements of this Code by providing a means of third-party verification, as specified in Section 8.2.4.1 or Section 8.2.4.2.  The Code requires the protected premises fire alarm system to be certificated or placarded, but not both.

To help ensure the inherent higher level of protection that a central station fire alarm system provides, Section 8.2.4 requires the prime contractor to conspicuously indicate that the entire fire alarm system meets the requirements of the Code by providing a means of third-party verification.

This requirement does not intend that the organization providing third-party verification will actually inspect every central station fire alarm system.  Nor does it mean that when the organization providing third-party verification does inspect a central station fire alarm system that such an organization will inspect every aspect of that system.  However, by providing a means of third-party verification, a prime contractor makes provision for a potential additional level of oversight.

The requirement in Section 8.2.4 tends to promote and encourage installation, testing, and maintenance procedures that will help ensure the overall quality of the central station fire alarm system.  Further, the conspicuous indication that the installation complies with all the requirements of the Code helps promote a much more determined effort to implement the requirements of the Code than might otherwise occur.

The prime contractor may conspicuously post a certificate issued by the organization that has listed the central station.  Or, the prime contractor may post a placard that indicates compliance.  By intent, the Code does not provide details of the process by which the listing organization issues the required certificate to the listed prime contractor.  Rather, the Code leaves these details up to the procedures and practices of the listing organization.

Unless an authority having jurisdiction specifies one of these two methods, the prime contractor—either the central station or the listed fire alarm service (local company)—may choose the method of conspicuous indication.

Section 8.2.4.1 requires fire alarm systems providing service that complies with all the requirements of this Code to be certificated by the organization that has listed the central station.  A document (a certificate) attesting to certification is to be located on or within 36 in. of the fire alarm system control unit or, if no control unit exists, on or within 36 in. of a fire alarm system component.

The organization that has listed the central station determines the detailed procedures that result in the issuing of a certificate.  This organization produces a document, or certificate, for a specific protected premises.  The prime contractor then conspicuously posts this certificate to indicate that the supervising station fire alarm system complies with all the requirements of the Code, and that the prime contractor has provided a means of third-party verification.

In UL’s program, a UL-listed prime contractor submits an application form to UL asking UL to issue a certificate for the specific installation.  UL reviews the details supplied on the application form, and if it judges that the installation described on the application form meets the requirements of the Code, and UL’s own requirements, it issues the certificate.  To help maintain the integrity of the certification process, UL annually inspects a statistically significant sampling of certified installations for each listed prime contractor.

Section 8.2.4.2 offers an alternative method to certificating; this is referred to as placarding.  This particular method is the one chosen for use by FM Approvals.  As with the certificate, the organization that has listed the central station determines the detailed procedures that result in the posting of a placard.  The prime contractor then conspicuously posts a placard to indicate that the supervising station fire alarm system complies with all the requirements of the Code, and that the prime contractor has provided a means of third-party verification.

To help maintain the integrity of the placarding process, FM inspects a sampling of placarded installations.  It should be noted that this process of inspecting a statistical sampling of the placarded installations bears close resemblance to listing procedures for fire alarm system components.  The listing organization does not inspect every smoke detector for compliance, but rather conducts field inspections and randomly audits the production of listed equipment and components to verify compliance.

The marking is required to be by one or more placards that meet the requirements of the organization that listed the central station and requires the placard.  The placard(s) is to be 20 in. sq. or larger, be located on or within 36 in. of the fire alarm system control unit or, if no control unit exists, on or within 36 in. of a fire alarm system component, and identify the central station by name and telephone number.

For central station service, all three criteria must be in place; these are: the 6 service elements, written contract per Section 8.2.3 and the required posting for certificating or placarding.

It is the prime contractor’s responsibility to remove all compliance markings (certification markings or placards) when a service contract goes into effect that conflicts in any way with the requirements of Section 8.2.4.  If someone makes a change that invalidates the designation, central station service, the prime contractor must remove the certificate, or placard, as well as any other means that designates the installation ‘‘central station service.’’  This enforcement will ensure that only those systems meeting all six elements of central station service and the requirements of Section 8.2.3 and Section 8.2.4 will have this designation.

Fire alarm system service that does not comply with all the requirements of Section 8.2 cannot be designated as central station service.

Alarm Companies & General Contractors Contracts

   Contracts with General Contractors and Institutional/Government Subscribers
********
     You know that you need to have properly executed contracts when you install fire and security systems.  Not just any contracts, but industry acceptable contracts.  [and the acceptable are found at www.alarmcontracts.com].  -Who decides what industry standard contracts are?  Is there some independent agency that sets standards?  Stumped for a moment, I came back with the answer.  No independent agency, but insurance companies insuring the alarm industry have certain things they look for, central stations have certain things they look for, lawyers and judges have certain things they look for, and state and federal laws impose certain restrictions and requirements.  Put them all together and you have what I would call an industry standard alarm contract.
     So to get to the topic, what do you do when you are asked [required] to sign something other than your alarm contract, or no contract at all?  
     General Contractors will look to have you sign their AIA or general construction contract.  It will not have any of the protective terms you need as an alarm company, and it will require you to fully indemnify the general contractor.  Is the General Contractor your customer – subscriber?  No.  You may be brought in by the GC but you know who the end user is.  It’s the party who contracted with the GC.  Ultimately your alarm system is going to be used by that end user, not the GC.  How should you handle this?
     If the GC lets you contract directly with the end user, that’s fine.  Your contract can even state that the GC will be paying you, but the end user should sign your contract.
     If the GC won’t let you contract directly with the end user then you need to read the GC’s contract.  The specifications that deal with the alarm system need to include your contract terms.  The GC should either incorporate your contract terms or attach your contract to the GC’s contract as an addendum so that your contract terms govern your work.  Without one of these alternatives you will have no contractual protection that your alarm contract affords.
     Same goes for institutional / government end users.  They often present you with their contract or bid form, which provides none of the protective terms you need.  You need to get their contract to incorporate your terms, reference your terms, or state that your contract supercedes their form.
    If the GC or end user will not sign your contract and wants you to sign its contract then you need to assess the risks that contract will impose upon you.  You need to be certain that your insurance company will protect you if a claim is made regarding the installation.
     Your monitoring and service work will be covered only by your Monitoring Contract and your Service Contract [for fire - the Fire Inspection Contract].  Make sure you get those contracts signed when providing those services.

California Lodging facililities Q & A for Fire Code Compliance

Q. Should my Hotel have a fire alarm system?

A.  The answer is Yes. If your property does not have a fire sprinkler system installed then you must have a full automatic/manual fire alarm system installed.

Q. My Motel is over 100 years old.  Isn’t it grand fathered in to the current  code requirements?

A.  The answer is No.  There is no longer any Grand Fathering in for existing buildings since the Code cycle change of 2007.  The new California Building Code & Fire Code was written with the intent to address existing buildings.  And so it is the only code in the state of California that is retro-active.

 Q. I only have 10 units in my Motel and I do not have a sprinkler system.  Am I still required to have a new fire alarm system installed?

A. The answer is No.  The magic number of units must exceed 20 for you to be required to retrofit a new fire alarm system in.

 Q. My apartment complex is single story building with 24 units and no fire sprinkler system.  I have been told that since it has a one hour fire wall between each unit and since each unit has a door outside to the courtyard that I did not need to have a fire alarm system installed.  Is this true?

A. The answer is Yes.  The CFC 907.3.1.5 specifies that all buildings that are less than two stories in height where all sleeping units, attics and crawl spaces are separated by a 1 hour fire-resistance-rated construction and each sleeping unit has direct access to a public way, exit court or yard, then these are EXEMPT.

 Q. The Fire Marshall in my town does not care about this law so I do not have to do it right?

A. The answer is, “Wrong”.  Just because the Fire Marshall is not policing it, does not mean it isn’t a law and not required.  It does take a little political action and if you as a property owner are on the forefront of this then you can not be liable.

HUE & CRY IS EXPERIENCED AND REASONABLY PRICED FOR ALL FIRE ALARM SERVICES NEEDED.  WE HAVE FIRE ALARM ENGINEERS AND DRAFTSMEN, AND ARE EXPERTS IN THE APPLICATION OF STATE FIRE ALARM CODES.  OUR INSTALLATION CREWS HAVE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN FIRE ALARM INSTALLATION, AND OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN HELP YOU KEEP YOUR SYSTEM COMPLIANT LONG AFTER THE INSTALLATION. 

CALL US AT (800) 762-3196 AND ASK FOR MIKE, MICHELE OR LORI AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO GET YOUR PROJECT STARTED FOR YOU WITH LOW DOWN PAYMENT ON OUR EASY TO LEASE PROGRAM.

How Hue & Cry Saves you time and money on fire inspections

                                        Minimal Investment. Maximum Compliance. 

 

Building Reports’ innovative web-based solution guarantees timely inspections and maintenance that are fully-documented in accordance with regulatory standards. Simplify the process of costly paper-based inspections with real-time data and on-demand reports.

Inspectors use standard PDAs with Building Reports software to scan devices and upload results to a secure, web-based account. The data is compared to past inspections and statistical analysis using an online database. Unique bar-code registration ensures comprehensive inspections by monitoring inspectors’ progress in real time during the inspection, preventing missed items, and facilitating fast action on repairs. Scanned timestamps cannot be modified, and reports are ready immediately as either a dynamic web page or a downloadable document to authorized users only.

Building Reports’ Third Party Verification and Authentication ensures verifiable compliance backed by a Certificate of Authenticity. Inspection results are audited online and reviewed for certification. Instantly-retrievable documentation from a detailed database of every time-stamped, bar-coded inspection means you can deliver up-to-date, verifiable documentation on demand. Authentication is guaranteed with regular independent audits, both online and onsite. It is intelligent compliance designed by industry experts that produces accurate, verifiable results you can trust.

Building Reports’ web-based wireless technology is convenient and easy-to-use. This intuitive system uses any standard internet browser, so you can access reports from any location at any time for flexible management of multiple properties. Exceptions are clearly displayed in real time. Links to local codes and manufacturer recalls maximize your efficiency. Forms are always up to date, along with continuous and seamless technology updates. Affordable subscription packages offer a variety of hosting and branding options, from using the full resources of BuildingReports.com to integrating your existing website into a custom-branded solution. As your compliance partner, this portability and accessibility comes with industry-proven commitment to customer service.

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Building Reports’ comprehensive, adaptable compliance system begins with a minimal investment and delivers cost-effective, streamlined inspections and reports without labor-intensive paperwork. Industry experience, web-based wireless technology, and a variety of hosting options make Building Reports an outstanding compliance investment.