Question:
Okay, I have listened to both sides of the debate (for years) about what kind of licensing etc. is required, if any, for online alarm sales. I have also listened to the debate surrounding licensing requirements for installing smoke detection systems, and the debate over whether or not it is legal in Texas to install a single, monitored smoke detector in a home that already has a U.L. Approved non-monitored smoke detection system (installed by the builder, for example) that meets all codes. Because of some interesting implications, I wanted to pose a hypothetical situation for those that know something about Texas laws and codes for installing burg and fire systems.

Hypothetical Situation 1)Properly licensed alarm installer installs security system for homeowner, properly meeting all legal requirements for doing so, and connects the system to a third party U.L. Approved central station fully licensed to monitor burg and fire systems.

2)At a later date, the homeowner decides he would also like to have a single smoke detector (one story home) in his hallway. The home already has a U.L. Approved non-monitored smoke detection system installed by the builder that meets all current codes.

3)The homeowner shops online and purchases a smoke detector from a Texas based online web retailer of burg and fire devices and installs the smoke detector himself (assume he does a good job and does everything right, including using the proper components, wire, procedures and testing of the detector).

Questions:

1) Has the homeowner broken any Texas (or other) codes? 2) Has the central station broken any Texas (or other) codes? 3) Has the online retailer broken any Texas (or other) codes? 4)If the alarm installer, fully licensed and insured to install burg systems (no Fire license) in Texas, was the online retailer who sold the smoke detector to the customer, would he have broken any Texas (or other) codes?

Answer: Now.. you're talking hooking up this hypothetical DC powered smoke to the professionally installed security system? If it has any free zones, no problem.. Programming that zone as a fire loop will require the homeowner to call in the installer who should also ensure the wiring is done correctly *before* he programs it into the loop. Interfering with the control could void the homeowner's contract.. I'd have to have a look at the wording to be able to tell you. I think if the homeowner were to run the wire, mount the detector and have the installer do the final hook-ups and programming, that would probably be the "best method".. You've still opened a "big can of worms"... Are you really ready???

Q: 1) Has the homeowner broken any Texas (or other) codes?

A: If he's required to get a permit to run the wire, he should check into that.

Q: 2) Has the central station broken any Texas (or other) codes?

A: The CS isn't really involved now, is it??

Q: 3) Has the online retailer broken any Texas (or other) codes?

A: No

Q: 4)If the alarm installer, fully licensed and insured to install burg systems (no Fire license) in Texas, was the online retailer who sold the smoke detector to the customer, would he have broken any Texas (or other) codes?

A: Um. You'd have to ask Graham or any of the listed Texas Dealers about that... I'm sure licensed alarm installers can wire and hook-up smokes on a residential job.. It's commercial/institutional fire systems that may be different..