LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Fire alarm literacy
I read with great interest the article “Increasing Your Fire Alarm Literacy” by Ed Spahn in the November issue. Spahn is to be commended for his fine effort in this first of what I am sure will be an excellent primer.
As I read the section “Underwriters laboratories Inc.” I discovered several omissions and inaccuracies that, in turn, prompted a call to and a relatively lengthy and fruitful discussion with the author. As a result, he urged me to write to you and clarify the matter.
Equipment testing. Fire alarm signaling equipment is tested and listed by UL in some 30 major product categories covered by 17 published UL product standards. These products range from initiating devices such as heat and smoke detectors to control equipment and annunciation equipment such as bells and audio-evacuation systems and sophisticated central station receiving and control equipment.
A key element not explained in the article is the comprehensiveness of the UL evaluation of fire signaling equipment. This evaluation encompasses four broad areas: an evaluation of the fire and shock hazards associated with the product; evaluation of the product performance with regard to the specific requirements of the applicable standard; evaluation of the product performance as an integral part of an overall fire alarm system —that is, a compatibility evaluation to determine that the product will function properly with other elements of a fire alarm system as specified by the manufacturer; and a comprehensive review of the installation documentation—an essential element of the listing in that it consists of a determination that the installation instructions provide sufficient information for product installation within the limitations of its listing and the installation requirements as specified by the applicable NFPA standard.
Certificate service program. The UL Certificate Service is far more comprehensive than is described in the article. Its operation consists of two parts:
- The first part involves listing the individual alarm company or central station. This requires the company to submit to a UL investigation to determine whether it is qualified to provide service within a specific category such as local, auxiliary, remote station, proprietary, or central station fire alarm.
- Once a company becomes listed, it is then qualified to certificate individual alarm installations that are in accordance with NFPA and UL standards.
Each listed alarm company, central station, or service center is subject to a minimum annual inspection, which includes a comprehensive review of the facility, equipment, records, operating procedures, and service tests. Each certificated installation is subject to random inspection by the UL field staff.
A centralized database of all issued certificates is maintained by Underwriters Laboratories. Recently UL initiated a certificate verification program called ULCVS, which provides free on-line access to the certificate database for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). Typically these AFIJs may be building officials, fire services officials, or insurance industry representatives.
Isaac I. Papier Managing Engineer, Burglary Protection & Signaling Dept. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Northbrook, Illinois
Equal stress, equal recognition
I was pleased to see in the November 1989 issue of Fire Engineering “Dispatchers’ Hidden Critical Incidents,” an article by Francis X. Holt concerning a human aspect of public safety emergency communications. Only seldom has the human side of this increasingly responsible, technical, and demanding career been recognized in fire service publications.
Holt accurately describes the conditions and stress that today’s fire/EMS dispatchers experience as they serve both the public and their departments, especially given the high level of professionalism, accuracy, and efficiency that both expect and deserve.
Holt interestingly refers to dispatchers by the male gender 34 times and never once mentions the female gender. In reality, public safety communications personnel in this nation are approximately 75 percent female and 25 percent male. These males and females are equally dedicated, work under equal stress, and deserve equal recognition.
Stephen H. Souder Administrator Emergency Communications Center Arlington County, Virginia
Editor’s note: For consistency’s sake, Fire Engineering follows a well-recognized journalistic style of using “he, ’’ “him,’’ and “his” for constructions in which gender is unspecified. The frequency of such application shouldn’t be construed as a measurement of women’s role in the fire service—the importance of which can’t be disputed.
When disaster srikes
I just read your December 1989 editorial “Disaster: A Reality!” to which I cani only add, “Amen!” It is a well-written and moving tribute. Thank you.
William W. Kehoe Director of Field Sendees International Association of Fire Chiefs Washington, D.C.
