Security Science Quiz
Contractual Wisdom
1. If you install a fire alarm system and it is supplemental, make sure that you document this material information on your contract with your subscriber.
2. If you contend your alarm contracting service is supplementing single-station self-contained smoke alarms, with system detectors, and you have not quantified their functional reliability, being the smoke alarms, or you know that they are beyond their functional and reliable life expectancy, then you should inform the subscriber of same. This should be done in writing (with their acknowledgement) to have an electrician replace and test all of the newly installed 120V detectors, unless of course, you are licensed to perform this task.
3. Some states require that a household fire alarm system be under a service and maintenance contract with an alarm contractor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you should always offer a service and maintenance contract on all fire alarm systems that you install and/or monitor in writing. To the extent that the AHJ does not require same, you can allow the customer to decline this additional service, but it is important that you document the aforementioned in writing on your contract. Oftentimes this is codified through “yes” and “no” questions preprinted on the contract.
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About the Author
Jeff Zwirn, SSI Contributor
Jeffrey D. Zwirn, CPP, CFPS, CFE, FACFEI, CHS-IV, SET, CCI, FASI&T, MBAT, writes Security Sales & Integration’s “Security Science” column. He is also president of IDS Research and Development, an alarm and security consultation, expert witness and training authority providing nationwide services on all issues related to alarm and security matters. He can be reached at 800-353-0733.
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