False Alarm Fighting
Vegas Toughens Fire Response
Steven Goble, Henderson, Nev., deputy fire chief, offered the following statement to better explain Las Vegas’ worrisome fire alarm regulation:
“In June of 2007 we adopted a fire alarm response policy that states that the Henderson Fire Department will not respond to unverified automatic fire alarms. The exceptions to this policy are schools, hospitals (and other care facilities) and government installations. We continue to respond to water-flow alarms, which are indicators that a sprinkler head has activated in occupancy. We have found that water-flow alarms are a reliable indicator of whether or not a fire is present. Whenever we receive a call from a person that sees, smells or otherwise senses that there might be a smoke/fire problem we respond immediately; we consider that verified. In October 2007, our city adopted a fire code that reflects that policy.” (Las Vegas Sun Web site, published Feb. 18, 2008).
Restrictions placed on commercial and residential occupancies include using electronic alarm verification through a code-compliant fire alarm panel.
“Commercial facilities equipped with a fire alarm and detection system shall be equipped with verification-type smoke detectors or system integral-approved circuitry. The activation of an initial smoke detector shall activate the premise audible/visual signaling appliances providing early warning notification to the occupants. Smoke detectors shall be arranged, programmed, etc. that only after the second smoke detector alarm activation (after verification) shall any signals be transmitted to the approved central station for fire dispatch.” (Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Fire Alarm System Dispatch/Registration Regulations).
Using Video to Validate Alerts
Central station operators can also use video surveillance systems to verify the presence of fire. In a residential environment this may not always be practical, unless video cameras and other equipment are installed. In commercial and institutional applications, however, verification is much simpler to do when there’s an existing video surveillance system already in place. Here it’s possible to view camera images over an Internet connection via a DVR.
“I think video verification using a DVR is a good thing as it does stop a lot of problems,” says Markowitz. “It allows the central station to look at the area where a fire alarm occurred so they can determine whether there’s really a fire. If they see smoke, they know there’s a fire and they can dispatch the fire department.”
This type of system usually requires a static IP address on the Internet to which the central station connects via a Web browser. There are some video products that require the use of proprietary software that the end user must install
.
When an alarm occurs, the central station operator can log into the DVR and look at just those cameras in the vicinity of the smoke, heat or manual fire pull device. This is easily done by searching the hard drive by camera, date and time.
Al Colombo is an award-winning writer who has covered electronic security and life safety since 1986. Visit his Web site at www.firenetonline.com.
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About the Author
Al Colombo
Al Colombo is a long-time trade journalist and professional in the security and life-safety markets. His work includes more than 40 years in security and life-safety as an installer, salesman, service tech, trade journalist, project manager,and an operations manager. You can contact Colombo through TpromoCom, a consultancy agency based in Canton, Ohio, by emailing [email protected], call 330-956-9003, visit www.Tpromo.Com.
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