also see article below **************
Ken,
Massachusetts passed a similar amendment November 6, 2007 prohibiting
fake Fire Alarm devices.
Greg Smizer
Sprint Security, Inc.
Waltham, MA
527 CMR Board of Fire Prevention Regulations
527 1.03(9) Fire _Protection Devices Neither Designed Nor Capable of
Function._ Any Device or object that reasonably appears to be a smoke
detector, sprinkler head, carbon monoxide alarm, heat detector or any
other similar device, used for life safety or fire protection that is,
in fact, neither designed nor capable or performing such life safety or
fire protection function, shall be prohibited.
Effective 11/6/07
***************
This is certainly an unusual thing the state of New York has dreamed up and as
much as I would agree that a fake smoke detector 'may' give consumers a "false
sense of security" but where do you draw the line on this?
Are fake tv cameras against the law in New York state also - they also create
a 'false sense of security".
What about all the places that just buy the signs saying they are recording
everything with their cameras when in fact they don't have any cameras or any
recording system at all?
Then there's all the security guards that don't have any guns - what purpose
do they serve? They are there to "create a false sense of security". Is that
against the law in New York state? ... sure should be.
What happens if the tv camera is mounted inside a WORKING smoke detector?
Do they have a problem with that too?
Then there is also a problem with all the burglar alarm salesmen telling
customers when the alarm goes off the police will be there right away? The
whole point of the alarm is to create a 'false sense of security' and everyone
in the alarm industry knows this... and so does the state of New York who
gladly collects money from everyone who makes their living offering that
'false sense of security'.
If New York state really wanted to protect folks from non-working smoke
detectors a good place to start would be the millions of smoke detectors
installed in multi-family housing that don't have any batteries.
Thesatguy
***************
Hi Ken;
Let's get serious here. In reference to the "dummy" smoke
detectors, look at the name involved with outlawing them... Eliot
Spitzer. Was he protecting the public, or was he trying even back then,
to not get caught with his pants down? If a building has a properly
installed and tested fire alarm system, and there is adequate smoke
detection equipment, how does having a dummy smoke detector put anyone
at risk? I have been in the alarm industry for 30 years, and people in
general are oblivious to the fire protection equipment in most public
buildings. As one in the industry, the first thing I do when I go
somewhere that will hold a large number of people, is to scout out the
emergency egress routes, horn strobe locations and smoke or fire
detection/suppression equipment. In fact, when I travel, I won't stay
in a hotel above the 5th floor. I do that for two reasons, first in a
fire, it isn't such a long walk down the stairs, secondly and more
importantly, fire departments are required to have ladder trucks that
will reach at least to the 5th floor of a high rise building if there is
one in their jurisdiction.
I don't wish to upset the LAHJ's, but this is the very reason why
they joke about the difference between God and LAHJ's. That being, God
doesn't play LAHJ. I could understand there being code preventing such
a device in a government owned building. But who cares if you have two
smoke detectors in a room that only requires one? Besides, any alarm
installer, or LAHJ for that matter who is worth their own salt, can
easily discern the difference between a working smoke detector and one
that is really a camera. I am convinced that my first thought about
Spitzer being paranoid about getting caught doing his philandering
activities was his primary motivation for the ban.
I know they can't legislate it, but we in the industry can at least
fight for some common sense rules.
John in NJ
*******************
Ken,
BV ask who is responsible for the cost of the labor to have the fake smoke detectors removed from the building? Would the answer be swayed by the terms of each contract? Who was hired as the authority or party with knowledge to make the
judgment if a system such as this was legal even if the responsibility was only a fiduciary responsibility?
Michael D. Colyott
ESIss.com
****************
I have recently offered a Fire Alarm Sales Contract [www.alarmcontracts.com] - which also comes in lease format. That contract calls for installation pursuant to code and AHJ regulations. Since the plans would either have to be prepared and filed by
an architect or PE, or at least approved by the AHJ prior to installation, there would
be no mistake in equipment. If changes are required after the AHJ approves the installation then the subscriber will have to bear the cost. "Have to" because that's
what the contract says.
Get the Fire Alarm Contract and the Fire Inspection contract
if you do commercial fire installations.
***********************************
Want to schedule me for a speaking engagement? Alarm associations can book my presentation
by calling Eileen in my office at 516 747 6700 x212.
*********************************************************
You can read articles and order alarm contracts on my web site www.alarmcontracts.com