What if that system becomes obsolete with technology upgrades and changes over the years? Technology always evolves. Will you be able to order parts from another provider if they go out of business?
You should definitely have a mutually beneficial, long term relationship with your fire alarm service provider, but you don’t have to be obligated to stay with a particular company to receive the best fire alarm system available today. In fact, our Nonproprietary fire alarm systems are used around the world with the most advanced technology available, servicing all types of buildings, structures, complexes, campuses, high rise and low rise buildings.
With HRSS, you receive the best available equipment with long term support and service including maintenance, repair and monitoring 24/7/365, because you choose to form a relationship with the best available fire alarm service company, not because you have to.
Are you currently in a Proprietary relationship? Single sourced, restricted, limited information, not cross compatible, limited field service support, monopoly, exclusive, not in control, chasing and waiting and ultimately expensive.
Or Nonproprietary? Open, ownership, freedom, key holder, trained, flexibility, have options for service, serviceable, shoppable, competitive, cross compatible, manageable, in control and demanding.
How are fire alarm systems sold to buildings? Fire alarm systems are frequently sold through the following channels: factory direct offices, independent engineered system distributors, electricians, over the counter sales outlets, security dealers, internet sales and over the state line and usually the lowest bid is the awarded product. However, often the lowest bid is not the best buy!
Regardless of where the fire alarm system is purchased, the Life Safety Code NFPA 72 10.5.3.4 says the following: inspection, testing and service personnel shall include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:
- Personnel who are factory trained and certified for the specific type and brand of system being serviced.
- Personnel who are certified by a nationally recognized certification organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
- Personnel, either individually or through their affiliation with an organization that is registered, licensed, or certified by a state or local authority to perform service on systems addressed within the scope of this Code.
- Personnel who are employed and qualified by an organization listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the servicing of systems within the scope of this Code.
In summary, a fire alarm provider must prove his credentials in design, installation, programming and testing. When buying a fire alarm system, the provider of the fire alarm system must be certified in some form acceptable by the local authority having jurisdiction and shall be able to provide evidence upon request, NFPA 72 10.5.3.6.
Owning or managing real estate is about turning a profit. When you buy real estate the thought of profit is heavily weighted in the deciding factor to purchase. So, the decision to build, purchase or expand existing property has been made! There is no doubt the building will probably have or need to be fire protected and supervised to meet the code. Fire alarm is just one of the building components that go hand and hand with commercial real estate.
Profit, meeting code, compliance, peace of mind and ultimately safety of people is a constant challenge and balancing act. I hate when I am not in command, control or demand action when urgency is needed. I hate when I must wait for others and I must adjust according to their availability. I hate when I feel I am overpaying for exclusive items or services when similar items are available at a faction of the cost. I hate having to ask multiple times for services and yet be patient due to exclusive needs.
If you are like me, why would you select a fire alarm system that is a Proprietary system when Nonproprietary products are available that meet the code, protect the property, provide numerous service options and are offered at a lower cost during the life of the system? A strong option to consider and shop for is NOTIFIER™️ by Honeywell. NOTIFIER fire alarm equipment is a high quality, code compliant fire alarm system sold through multiple independent engineered system distributors. Another selling feature of NOTIFIER is the wide variety of crossed listed fire alarm products available in the open market. In many cases when dealing with an existing system not all of the existing equipment needs to come out when considering a life safety upgrade to an existing system. NOTIFIER has done an excellent job in UL cross listing it’s products with older non-NOTIFIER products.
If you are considering a new commercial fire alarm system or a fire safety expansion is in the plans to accommodate building growth opportunities, request a Nonproprietary NOTIFIER fire alarm system sold through an independent engineered system distributor network serving your area. It is the best buy!