www.gainspector.org
by Blackstone
on Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:24 pm
The currant state of Fire Alarm Contracting in Georgia
requires only an LVA or LVU low voltage license (could even then
reliably be opened-up to regular electrical contractors once this
legislation is put into place...) without requiring any training,
certification, etc., and the result is an unregulated, haphazard,
untrained, and even reckless design and installation of fire
alarm systems throughout our Great State of Georgia. Often a fire
alarm system is the ONLY active fire protection system a building
has (as many facilities are permitted by Code to be constructed
without a fire sprinkler system) and having such system
compromised due to incompetence in my opinion is borderline
criminal. I'm personally tired of the bad joke this state of
affairs has left our Georgia, not to mention the disservice to
those few responsible fire alarm contractors who are trying to
make a living in our State.
I can not express the importance and dire need for such
legislation in Georgia.
Click here to view my proposed OCGA 25-14:
OCGA 25-14.pdf
Click here to view my proposed 120-3-TBD:
120-3-TBD Fire Alarm Act.pdf
I have modeled these documents on the 'Georgia Fire Sprinkler
Act' and 120-3-19 (associated rules for that act), using my fire
alarm expertise and my experience with the SFMO performing fire
alarm plan reviews and consultation, in addition to many years of
code consulting. I would like to get the process started for
fine-tuning the proposed legislation and then subsequently have
them introduced into legislation, get applicable funding
appropriated, etc.
These documants have been submitted to certain persons of the
Joint Fire Service Legislative Committee, Georgia Association of
Fire Chiefs, a State Senator, and others who act interested but
never do anything about this. Most other States have such
legislation regulating Fire Alarm Designers, Inspectors,
Contractors, etc. - Georgia is being made to look like a fool,
and Fire Alarm Installation companies that are competent are just
avoiding us (they can't compete with contractors who are
contracting installations that are no where near meeting code and
thus easily underbidding the competent companies...).
So, what are we to do? Business as usual, or time for a change -
do we even try to get this right, or just let it continue until
something bizarre happens and we're forced to? Are you tired of
having your hands tied because there aren't any laws with which
to enforce good engineering practice?
Need input!
Ms. Jaimie Blackstone, PE
Fire Protection Engineering
& Fire Modeling Services We find consulations, we learn
tricks with which we deceive ourselves, but the essential thing -
the way - we do not find. Listen to the river.
JBlackstone@GAInspector.Org
by Marc_Turner
on Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:08 am
I could not agree more.
These rules/requirements would not put any hardship on a
competent, reputable & knowledgeable installer.