Copyright 2006 The Deseret News Publishing Co.
By Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
Businesses across the state might be relying on fire-alarm systems that are no longer functional, and none of them would even know it.
Because 85 percent of the state’s fire departments are volunteer, and therefore don’t check fire-alarm systems, many businesses go years without testing their systems.
But if HB266, sponsored by Rep. Joe Murray, becomes law, a process to certify people who could check the systems would be established.
“The only thing worse than (no fire-alarm system) at all, is having one that doesn’t work correctly,” the Ogden Republican said.
Utah is one of the few states that has no certification process, and it is something that the firefighter community has wanted for a long time, said Brent Holladay of the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“The worst thing out there is the false security when you think you have an alarm system that does work, but it hasn’t been checked in a long time, and it turns out it doesn’t work,” Holladay said.
The bill, which passed out of the House Political Subdivisions Committee on Thursday, would only apply to businesses because it is not the standard practice of the fire department to enter an individual’s private residence unless it is requested to do so.
Currently, the local fire department conducts acceptance testing when the alarm system is installed in a business, but after that it isn’t.
“Deterioration of the building and remodeling oftentimes happens,” Murray noted.
The Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office would award certification and conduct most inspections. Others, such as home inspectors, could also become certified.
Certificates are awarded after an applicant submits a written application, provides evidence of competency in completing the task, and pays a $50 fee.