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a year, protect your property and reduce your liability, than to have to spend thousands upgrading a system because of out-of-date devices, or in repairing a fire damaged building.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

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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.

Building Reports guarantees your information is secure. You control who has access to create, edit, or view data and reports in your account. Inspection data cannot be modified. Servers are vigorously protected with encryption and firewall technologies. Multiple data-backups daily, off-premise records archiving, and instant records retrieval further secure your investment. Now you can have confidence in the security and integrity of your compliance.

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.

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Is your fire alarm company compliant?

                                                          CALIFORNIA LAW

The State of California passed a law in 1999 making it mandatory that all persons making connections to fire alarm circuits that operate at over 100 VA be either:

                    A) Certified as a Fire/Life Safety Technician

                    B) Become an indentured apprentice   in a DAS  Approved Fire/Life Safety program

The WBFAA Fire/Life Safety Apprenticeship Program was the first Statewide Apprenticeship Program approved by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards in California

The WBFAA is currently developing an Online Fire/Life Safety Apprenticeship Program

                                                              CALIFORNIA LAW

Who is required to be certified?

           Anyone who performs work for a C-10 Electrical Contractor involving the installation, construction, or maintenance of fire alarm circuits exceeding 100 VA that are covered in Article 760 of the National Electrical Code.

I have a C-10 license. Do I have to be certified?

           If you’re the holder of a C-10 license and are working under that license, you don’t have to be certified. If you’re performing covered work and not working under your own license, for example, if you’re working under someone else’s C-10 license, you must be certified.

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