KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** comment on can you accept test signal request by third parties April 24, 2025 *********************** comment on can you accept test signal request by third parties from article on April 17, 2025 *********************** Ken We have the subscriber take systems offline for us; we as a general rule do not place systems offline. Since most of our accounts are NYC Fire, if the work or testing we will be doing impairs the system in any way we notify the FDNY Dispatcher and have a Fire Watch with a FDNY certified fire guard. When we end work we notify whoever took the system offline that we are done and they can go back online. On a few occasions situations have arisen where a system was offline and an event happened (fire, smoke, explosion) or a device we were not testing signaled the system. Upon this happening we called the FD to report it prior to investigating, then do a follow up call to the dispatcher after investigation. And yes, one time we tested a fire pump and dry pipe sprinkler system. We had a fire guard [who happened to be my son] positioned in the loading dock where the dry pipe system was out of service, I was in the basement starting to restore the systems when an electrical manhole exploded just outside of the loading dock, my son did his job and called the FDNY Manhattan dispatcher to notify them of the situation and notified the building engineer. Several times over the few (50+) years that I have been in this business we had systems offline and situations arose that required FD response. One morning we received a call from a very upset facility director asking why the FD did not respond when a smoke detector activated. Quick check of the central office history showed: 8 AM building security took the system offline for one hour, 2 minutes later a pull station was tested and signal received, about ten minutes later the smoke detector signal was received, however, security did not put the system back online after the test ended, decided to just let the time run out and go back online by itself. Things happen, as they say, seconds count, minutes matter! Many more stories available upon request. Jeff ************************** Response ************************** I wonder how many fire alarm companies make sure there is a Fire Watch when the fire alarm is "off line", being tested or repaired. My guess is not many. I also wonder how many times a fire breaks out while off line without the Fire Watch, or what may be more common, an AHJ stops by and issues a violation summons for failure to have Fire Watch. I don't know if Fire Watch is necessary only when the fire alarm is out of service for a particular time, or if it's known it's going to be out, even for a short time. Fire alarm companies should know this and comply with the law in their jurisdiction. And, do no fire alarm work without the Fire All in One signed by the end user or its authorized agent. Contractual protection is a integral part of your defense against claims. **************************** STANDARD FORM AGREEMENTS: To order up to date Standard Form Alarm / Security / Fire and related Agreements click here: www.alarmcontracts.com *************************** CONCIERGE LAWYER SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE ALARM INDUSTRY - You can check out the program and sign up here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/concierge or contact our Program Coordinator Stacy Spector, Esq at 516 747 6700 x 304. *********************** WEBINARS: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-webinars *********************** ALARM ARTICLES: You can always read our Articles on our website at www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-articles updated daily ******************** Wondering how much your alarm company is worth? Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth *********************** THE ALARM EXCHANGE - the alarm industries leading classified and business exchange - updated daily ************************* PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ken-kirschenbaum-presents/id1794851477 ************************* Getting on our email list / Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. ************************** 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
