Building Codes and Regulations
Fire Alarm Codes for your home or business start with the Massachusetts State Building Code. The Building Code is enforced by the local building department. In many communities, the permitting and review for residential or commercial Fire Alarm Systems is delegated to the local fire department rather than the building department. The building department is the actual true authority having jurisdiction. It's important to know neither the building department nor the fire department create or make any codes, they oversee and enforce existing State codes.
In Massachusetts, the owner of any building is responsible for their property being code compliant, not the fire department, building department or even the contractor. However, as contractors, our electrical licenses and insurance company require us to adhere to all applicable codes and regulations. In some cases, other fellow systems contractors, standard electricians and even some building and fire departments have counseled with us on code and regulation applications.
Codes and Regulations for your home or office burglar alarms are different from Fire Alarms. Because it involves running wires and installing devices in your home or business, standard building and electrical codes still apply.
However, the location and design of a system and its peripherals have no regulations or requirements other than manufacturers recommendations. Unfortunately, in many cases, high pressure marketing, sales quotas, inexperience and unscrupulousness can result in unreliable system design and/or inferior components being poorly installed. You end up just a number, with a system you are afraid to use, or worse, unable to find your service company at all! A reputable contractor or company like DB Systems, with proper training and expertise, will design and install a reliable system that you can depend on for many years, and if you do need service, we are there!
Perhaps the most misunderstood requirement for Burglar, Security and Fire Alarm Systems are the licenses required to perform this work and service in Massachusetts. Alarm System Contractors and Technicians must carry electrical licenses issued by the board of electrical examiners. These licenses are specifically issued for fire alarm and burglar alarm systems and service. Regular electricians are grandfathered to do Security ( provided they hold an S-License described below) & Fire Alarm Systems also, however, the significance between the two is the Fire Alarm license renewal training is limited to alarm systems, while standard electricians are required to attend the same amount of hours of renewal training, but must cover many other subjects in the same amount of time. Training and renewal classes required to maintain specific Fire and Burglar licenses focuses solely on Fire and Burglar Alarm Systems.
The 'S-License' is mandatory in Massachusetts for ANYONE installing 'Security Systems'. That means Access Control and Surveillance Camera Systems also. The licensee must be a licensed electrician level C or greater and pass a criminal background check or be denied. ANY company or contractor must carry valid S-License. Technicians must carry a Certificate of Clearance license. There are many violators performing work UN licenses, so ask for licenses and permits. DB Systems' license numbers are made available to our clients.