I'm glad someone besides me thought there might have been something in the past that addressed the concern. At least I wasn't drinkning bleach.
In any event, I submit to NFPA for an answer about my concern and I just got a reply back. In a nutshell, it says there are procedures for handling and re-transmitting alarms and it specifies what has to transpire.....and there are no provisions or exceptions to permit passcodes or passwords to circumvent the system.
Here is the reponse from NFPA and please understand that I am sharing this with everyone with the understanding that this is NOT a formal interpretation from NFPA.
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Mr. Morgan,
NFPA 72-2010, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code™, Chapter 26, covers the requirements for the performance, installation, and operation of fire alarm systems at a continuously attended supervising station and between the protected premises and the continuously attended supervising station and the various transmission technologies available.
Section 26.3 provides the requirements for alarm systems for central station service, Section 26.4 for proprietary supervising station systems and Section 26.5 for remote supervising station alarm systems.
Section 26.3.7 provides for the disposition of signals from a protected premises to a central station. These include: Section 26.3.7.1, alarm signals; Section 26.3.7.2, guard’s tour supervisory signals; Section 26.3.7.3, supervisory signals; Section 26.3.7.4, trouble signals and Section 26.3.7.5, test signals. For alarm signals, Section 26.3.7.1.2 requires the central station perform the following actions: (1) Immediately retransmit the alarm to the communications center, (2) Dispatch a runner or technician to the protected premises, (3) Immediately notify the subscriber and (4) Provide notice to the subscriber or authority having jurisdiction, or both, if required. Note exception due to a prearranged test. No other exception is provided for a pass code or password. Unique personal identification codes are provided for test signals only as permitted by Sections 26.3.7.5, 26.3.7.5.5 and 26.3.7.5.6.
The requirements for disposition of signals from remote supervising station alarm systems are much more relaxed. Refer to Section 26.5.5. This section enables the alarm signal to be transmitted directly to the communications center. Further, if the remote supervising station is at a location other than the communications center, alarm signals must be immediately retransmitted to the communications center. Again, for alarm, there is no exception for pass codes or passwords.
Important Notice! This correspondence is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Regulations. Any opinion expressed is the personal opinion of the author, and does not necessarily represent the official position of the NFPA or its Technical Committees. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services.