Don't Risk Your Money or Your Reputation

摘要

In almost every situation, the fire alarm system is the major, if not the only, culprit. The root cause is the ingrained habits for procuring a fire alarm system project. Most often, the first mistake is allowing the fire alarm system to be included in the "value engineering" process. Never attempt to value engineer a life safety system, because every time this process is used on a fire alarm system, you will initiate the scenario described above. Remember, the building will not open when the AHJ says the fire alarm system is inadequate. The second issue is "shopping" the fire alarm system supplier quotes. I understand needing to ensure you never overpay for a system; however, you need to understand what the supplier faces in costs. I can assure you from over 45 years of experience that the low bid rarely meets the engineering specifications, building code, Life Safety Code or NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. While I am not advocating that you question the price, I am recommending you review the value of what is proposed.