New NFPA Codes 730 and 731 that covers intrusion and access systems could mean many potential problems to AHJ who enforce it.

By Nick Markowitz Jr.
Fire Investigator

The NFPA has now passed a new set of codes that refer to the installation and servicing of Intrusion and Access systems. They are designed as guidelines to the low voltage installer to insure proper coverage and design of Intrusion (Burglar) and Access systems (biometric /Card access etc) for hotels, government buildings, financial institutions, convenience stores, malls and shopping centers etc. Many in the low voltage field including myself feel there was no need for these guidelines in the first place and NFPA had no business sticking there nose in it. But several of the large security and business assoc. pushed for them, for they wanted a standardized guideline for how to protect various structures low voltage companys could follow. These same standards of guidance would be available to any domestic or international criminal or terrorist who would then know what to expect when setting up a crime or terrorist act, there by putting the general public and 1st responders in jeopardy.

There are already many guidelines available through various organizations as well as trained certified security designers. We did not need these extra guidelines that now can be specifically enforced by the AHJ. My customer's insurance carriers in many cases spell out exactly how they want properties protected. But if the AHJ insists on enforcing them they could find themselves in very hot water when something goes wrong. If low voltage installers will have to start submitting security plans to the local AHJ and there is then a significant burglary or invasion of a premise, guess who’s going to be on the top of the list for possibly allowing info on how that banks system was compromised? That’s right the AHJ will be among the first people suspected and questioned. Are towns? The AHJ enforces these standards in ready to be paying significant amounts of money in litigation when something goes wrong. Is the AHJ ready to face all the embarrassment to his unblemished career?

I know many of the AHJ I regularly correspond with want nothing to do with these new guidelines. They're already too busy and want nothing to do with the possible liability. One of the most effective weapons I have against criminals as a security system designer Is secrecy as to how, what type and where I have installed equipment? NFPA 730 and 731 make all designs a cookie cutter pattern which if you constantly design a system the exact same way all the time criminals will figure it out. Just ask the alarm companies that use the cookie cutter pattern, if they're willing to admit it.

NFPA stands for the National Fire Protection Assoc. So why are they butting into a place they have no experience in? They are already in collusion with UL trying to get AHJ ‘s to make all fire alarms UL placarded. Is this the same thing they plan to require with burglar alarms as well they all have to be UL listed to A, B, C or other UL Burglary standard and drive the cost up for consumers and actually lower the safety the system provides? It appears so. Before your town decides to adopt 730 and 731 think it through carefully. Otherwise it could be a bad decision you have made.

Nick Markowitz Jr can be reached at nickmarkowitz@hotmail.com

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