[Leaplist] Server cabinet question

[Austin Denyer (Ozz)]

On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:07:18 -0500, Fred Moore <fred at fmeco.com> wrote:
>
> On Sunday 31 December 2006 14:27, Austin  Denyer wrote:
> >
> > I guess that depends on the monitoring company.  For example, ADT _will_
> > dispatch the fire dept. if a smoke detector detects smoke.  (And, on
> > commercial accounts, they will dispatch the FD before calling anyone
> > else - including the location of the alarm.  Some jurisdictions (New
> > York springs to mind) they even do that for residential accounts.) That
> > is considered a level 1 alarm (most serious). A supervisory (low
> > battery, etc.) is (if I remember correctly) a level 7 and as you said
> > is not dispatched on.
> 
> There is a difference between a fire alarm system and a burglar alarm system.  

I'm aware of the general differences.  I worked for one of ADT's
monitoring centers for about 18 months.

> Other than UL approval a fire system must have two in-dependant phone lines, 
> if they call an 800 number they must use two independent 800 carriers.  The 
> batteries must be capable of maintain the system for 48 hours at the end they 
> must still have the capacity to blow the horns for 45 minutes..  There must 
> be a pull station at each entrance/exit, strobes must be visible in all 
> location in the building, strobes must flash in cadence (prevent epileptic 
> seizures),  horn signals must be available at a minimum of 85db of sound 
> pressure above ambient noise.. etc.. Under the Florida Uniform Fire Code.. a 
> Central Station must NOT dispatch a fire department for a supervisory 
> signal..   This is tested during every alarm inspection to make sure this 
> doesn't happen.. 

I am less familiar with the local variations.  

> This does not apply to a residential burglar alarm which may or may not report 
> a fire signal.   Note a burglar alarm normally does not report fire 
> supervisory signals.  It reports alarms on zones..  it also reports other 
> trouble reports (troubles on zones)..   And here is the biggie..  When ADT 
> reports a FIRE alarm they do exactly that..  they do not report a smoke 
> detector in alarm..  And guess who is responsible for the 1000+ dollar fine 
> for dispatching a fire department on a supervisory signal, which according to 
> the FUFC is a smoke detector.. not ADT you are.. 

Hmmm - they are supposed to report alarm type and zone.  For example,
"Smoke alarm in the lobby" or "Water flow in the kitchen".

Whilst I'm in no hurry to defend ADT (I sure wouldn't have one of their
systems) local rules change regularly and often the monitoring company
is the last to be told.

> If they get enough false 
> alarm on a residence, they go back and add up the fines and send them to 
> you..   As you can most likely guess my house is heavily alarmed.. and I do 
> not report fire zones.. as fire zones.. I report them a window/door alarm.. I 
> know which one is a fire.. I will deal with it when they call.. 
> 
> BTW if you read NFPA 101 every residence must contain a smoke alarm in every 
> stairwell, hallway and within 20 feet of any bedroom..  wording specifically 
> states.. and I don't remember the exact phrasing but  "these detectors SHALL 
> not be connected to an automated alarm system"
> 
> Under NFPA, they want to draw a very distinct difference between a fire alarm 
> system and a burglar alarm system.. one is certified, monitored and tested..  
> the other they could care less about.. 
> 
> I don't understand level as you described 1-7..  in the industry we mostly 
> talk about  trouble, and alarm signals (burg alarms), and  supervisory 
> signals and alarms (fire panels).  

The levels I refer to were the levels that ADT assigned the signals when
they came in.  Level 1 was fire (smoke, heat, manual-pull, water-flow,
etc.) as well as hold-up alarms.

Level 3 (if I remember correctly) was CO detectors, etc.
Level 5 was burglar alarms (door, glass-break, motion, etc.)
Level 7 was supervisory (battery on smokes, etc. or anything that would
rank as trouble on a burg.)
I can't remember all of them.  I think a burg trouble was 10 or 12.

Things like timer tests were 30.

> Something else.. on a fire panel it is against fire code to call the premises 
> before dispatching a fire signal..   on a burglar alarm it is ok to phone 
> before the dispatch.. 

That is the case for commercial accounts anywhere.  For residential it
varies by jurisdiction (or at least it did when I was messing with it).

> They are totally different animals.. one is for property protecton and the 
> other is for life protection.. it could be argued that burg alarms provide 
> both.. but not in a guaranteed controlled tested system.. Fred

As I said, I used to work in one of ADT's monitoring centers, and saw
more than enough mis-handled alarms to last me a lifetime...

Regards,
Ozz.

-- 
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