flow switch test did not trigger outside alarm

[Gregg Harris]

no tenants involved. each unit owner has their own complete wet system.

Do you each have a standalone building, separated by walk-through easements?

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

Sure, no argument with getting the alarm fixed. Just don't like when they use inaccurate words for effect. I am a software engineer/nerd and believe words and accuracy matter. The alarm is not in working order says what the actual condition is.

Yes, and when the actual condition of an alarm that is part of a fire safety system is non-functional, it is entirely proper for the fire department to declare that as a "critical deficiency" ... because it is a critical deficiency. The failure of that alarm could -- potentially -- result in severe injury or death. I would consider that to be critical.

 

[condo-owner]

Update: The repair person was just here and the problem was with the bell itself. He said it gets gunked up over time. It took a couple of tries. He did some fiddling with the flow switch as well as the alarm and now all set. Took 15 minutes. Saved $525!!! Yay! Didn't need to do a drain test (my flower bed beneath the pipe appreciates that)

And to whoever said that sometimes the inspector doesn't locate the ITV valve: spot on! Of the 8 such "missing" cases in the complex, I know one where that was the case.

I also did a deep dive in the code to determine "critical" and I did find enough evidence It took me and chatGPT awhile. It was not straightforward as one would think because the core system does function . Ultimately the most concrete definition was in the Annex which is Advisory but it is there

 

[Yankee Chronicler]

I love stories with happy endings.

 

[Inspector Gadget]

In our jurisdiction, alarms have to be tested and (re)certified regularly. Is this not a requirement in your jurisdiction?

 

[condo-owner]

In our jurisdiction, alarms have to be tested and (re)certified regularly. Is this not a requirement in your jurisdiction?

For residential single owner systems, it's not annually -- different frequency for different aspects. We have one NFPA13 system that serves a larger building which does require annual inspections.