Question:
I am a fire inspector employed by a municipal fire department serving a population of 130,000. I have been requested to research other fire departments criteria for the receipt of fire alarms and response to the same. Currently in discussion within our Fire Prevention Bureau are the following topics: 1. If a non-monitored fire alarm system activates (either by automatic detection, manual pull or water flow) is the facility required to notify the fire department that the alarm is sounding? Note: the Uniform Fire Code requires that owners, operators and occupants notify the fire department upon discovery of a fire, smoke or the release of a flammable liquid or hazardous material. The code does not specifically identify a requirement to notify the fire department when a fire alarm system activates (except when monitoring is required such as automatic sprinkler systems with 100 or more sprinkler heads) 2. Is it appropriate (acceptable) to allow maintenance or security personnel to investigate the cause of the alarm to determine if there really is a fire PRIOR to notifying the fire department? This does not happen concurrent to fire department notification, this occurs BEFORE fire department notification. Think of it as extreme alarm verification. Note: In our state, legislation was proposed to require every central station to verify an actual fire condition before dispatching the fire department. This legislation failed.

Answer: Q: 2. Is it appropriate (acceptable) to allow maintenance or security personnel to investigate the cause of the alarm to determine if there really is a fire PRIOR to notifying the fire department? This does not happen concurrent to fire department notification, this occurs BEFORE fire department notification. Think of it as extreme alarm verification.

A: Ask the people who died in the MGM Grand Hotel fire in Las Vegas. Smoke detectors tripped internal-only alarms. Desk sent bellboy to investigate. No notification of F.D. When bell boy did not return (his body was found on third floor), the desk manager reset the alarm and forgot about the incident. 45 minutes later a flash-over rolled thru the main casino area, and the rest is history.