Question:
I got a little hot under the collar today at a fire alarm inspection. I was an installing fire alarm contractor and the monitoring company came out to do the monitoring programming over the weekend. They got into my panel and re arranged my terminations and zones. Of course I didnt find out about it till the fire marshall started the inspection. When the Duct Detectors were tested the alarms sounded...not the supervisory...thats when The whole mess surfaced..the INspection failed and it was due to the monitoring company changing the zones types and where they were terminated.. Needless to say..they will not pay for the Re inspection, or my time... WHen I confronted the tech from the monitoring company ...prior to the test..he said I had terminated the panel wrong....I just ignored him.. I was already upset that this company was monitoring my installation when this company is not Licensed for Fire...THey monitor real cheap and everytime I check into there program find out they do not use a seperate secondary reciever number for u.L. backup.. This along with no 24 hour test... I have complained to the Local authority and nothing ever happens...

Answer: -You need to file a formal complaint with the electrical board that governs licensing. Here in Florida, electricians and alarm contractors licensing are governed by the electrical board. No company can monitor a fire panel or even program one without the proper licensing to do so. That is a major violation and a huge fine...they are operating beyond the scope of their license.

-I don't know about your state, but here in NJ in a commercial job, 24 hour tests are a must. Second, I would never let any other company touch my equipment, let alone the programming. I don't know why you let them. Thirdly, if for some unknown reason, I would allow something like this, I would certainly be there looking over their shoulder. I think the blame lands back on you for allowing this to happen. I would like to understand why you did. If you are looking for a well run and inexpensive Central Station, then go to http://www.rknetco.com/monitoring_america and become one of the owner/operators. It's a co-op with superior service. You become a part owner and that makes a difference.