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Starting this month SD&I gets the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) perspective with this new column written by Peter S. Cutrer, a fire marshal in the state of Maine.
Q: What is the frequency of inspections of fire systems and where do you find this information?
A: Frequencies vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The basic requirements can be found in NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code. The code states that you must yield to the most stringent governing body, i.e. other codes or people may require different things. ADA requirements are stricter than NFPA in certain areas and some AHJ's may require things above and beyond what is already dictated. The best guide for not getting into hot water is to review the NFPA code—in this case 72, and then check with the local AHJ to see if what the code requires works with him. Caution: If the AHJ tells you that inspection is required at a frequency less than what the code says, ask for that in writing. You don't want to be backed in a corner if things go bad.
Q: What does the fire inspection form look like?
A: A sample form can be found in the appendix of NFPA 72, but keep in mind that it is a sample. This form is required to be left with the customer and submitted to the AHJ on request. Some companies merely photocopy the sample, fill it out and hand it in. This is OK by me, but if you are running a company and care about its image or want to streamline the inspection process, you may want to consider creating your own inspection form. All of the larger companies use their own forms, with their own legal disclosures. When I worked in the field as a technician, I started a fire alarm branch for two separate companies. At first, I did photocopy the NFPA forms. It didn't take long for me to get frustrated with the standardized forms so I then created my own. I eventually settled with a two-page form on tri-copy carbons and it seemed to work well. In the society that we live in today, you can never have enough legal fine print. So I added some in at the bottom of the form, along with an area for describing anything that I found concerning the installation I couldn't fix. Just bear in mind that if you do create your own custom forms, keep the minimum substance that the sample form in 72 has, as if you go outside the realm of what is required you could find yourself in trouble or your inspection and tests may not be accepted by the AHJ.
Q: What are the inspection requirements for existing versus new installations?
A: If you tell me that there is nothing at all wrong with an aged fire alarm system, expect me to do my own inspection. It is a fact that unless the system has been meticulously maintained throughout its entire life there will be something that isn't exactly on par. That's fine, but make sure that you communicate this with the AHJ and document your findings on the report. If the AHJ is doing his job, you may get a work order for the repairs for the customer, which means more revenue and a safer installation. It's a win-win situation.
Q: What has the most impact on the installing company, Life Safety Code 101 or NFPA 72?
A: The new revision of NFPA 72 that is coming out will give some help to other areas that were lacking in the previous edition, but NFPA 101, the 2006 copy has dramatically strengthened the requirements for monitored fire alarm equipment and monitored sprinkler systems in existing structures. My best advice is to cover yourself legally and read the codes, then go to see the AHJ with your plans. That way you will have enough knowledge to talk to the AHJ (and even educate some) in an intelligent manner.
Peter S. Cutrer is the fire marshal (AHJ) for Sanford/Springvale, Maine.
author: By Peter S. Cutrer