QUESTION:

Ken:

 A NY City apartment manager tells me that his insurance underwriter wants him to install one pull station in the lobby of his building and connect it to a central station.  My response is "Are you kidding?"  Only one pull station?  No pulls on the floors or other exits?  No sounders?

 He then sends me what the underwriter actually wrote: “Recommend to install a manual pull fire alarm system in accordance with the national fire protection association standard #101 life safety code by a licensed contractor”

 I respond..

 The operative word here is "system" 

 Sounds to me like they are saying pulls to comply with Life Safety 101.  How many stories is the building?  If you go by 101 you need pull stations @ each exit and on each floor at the stairwells.  Occupant must not travel more than 200' to reach a pull station on any level.  Pulls must be in the natural path of egress.  Will also require occupant notification. To meet the notification standard you'll likely need sounders in each apartment.  If it's over 75 feet high from where a fire truck can get access you need "voice evac" 

 I think you need better clarity from the underwriter!

 He responds:

 Just spoke to the owner. It is only a recommendation so he is not doing it. All he wants is a pull station connected to a 24hr central station so he has “something”.

 If that’s possible, let me know. Thanks

 My response:

 Anything is possible BUT.. I would STRONGLY suggest against doing anything that is not code compliant.  If you do it you are acknowledging that there is a risk and are putting a bandage on it rather than doing it right.  I think you run the risk of litigation if you don't do it right.  Just like I said.  "you put a pull in the lobby, there is a fire near the pull station, someone runs out the back door, no alarm is transmitted, someone  dies or is hurt and you are on the hook because you didn't do "the right thing" And to have a pull station with no sounders throughout likely puts you in a worse position.

  I'd let sleeping dogs lie................ 

 I actually think the insurance company would object as well.  Doing it wrong in this case exposes you more than doing nothing!

 Whadda ya think?

 Daniel W. Budinoff

 President

 Security Specialists

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ANSWER:

 If you use the Standard Fire Alarm Sales Contract - www.alarmcontracts.com - the answer would be simple.  Commercial fire alarm systems are installed in accordance with plans and permits approved by the AHJ.  The owner's insurance company is not the AHJ.  The owner's consultant is not the AHJ; neither is his general contractor; and -- neither are you.  The AHJ is the Fire Marshall, fire department or building department. 

 The Standard Fire Alarm Sales contract clearly calls for submission of plans and approval from the AHJ if you are installing a commercial fire alarm system.  If you are in a jurisdiction that does not govern fire alarm installations then you should comply with national and local custom, but you better make sure there is no AHJ because there most likely is.

 Residential fire alarm are different.  Typically there are no AHJ requirements other than smoke detectors in specific locations, but that generally is imposed on the builder or building owner.  Residential fire alarm systems are usually part of an intrusion system and should not be called a "fire alarm system' unless the installation complies with national and local standards.

 With respect to insurance company underwriters making recommendations or insisting upon system specifications in commercial fire alarm installations, unless those recommendations are included in the approved plans they should not be included.  If the installation has already been approved there is no reason a new recommendation cannot be suggested to the AHJ, but that would require submission of new plans and new approval.