Fire Detection System

[Rathji]

Image might be a bit large

Spoiler!

My niece received this letter from her property management company, and it kind of stunned me. My first reaction is to tell her not to sign it, but the more I think about it, I am bewildered by the whole situation.

If something happens as the result of this, does this absolve the company of any liability? I assume the answer is no, but what's the point of having her sign and return it?

Something just seems odd about it.

Any thoughts?

[GGG]

I would think that your property management is doing what is required to ensure safety while the system is not working. The purpose of the letters is to show they are performing due diligence in informing the residents of the mitigation and safety impairment.

I suspect this is done as part of insurance requirements or fire code requirements for dealing with failures in the detection systems.

[llwhiteoutll]

They are fulfilling their responsibility that all residents be notified that the system is inoperative. It looks like they want signed confirmation if they are ever audited.

There should be notices at all entrances and elevators as well. The fire department will also have been notified.

CAN/ULC-S536-04 has a list of requirements for partial or full shutdowns of fire detection systems.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by GGG

I would think that your property management is doing what is required to ensure safety while the system is not working. The purpose of the letters is to show they are performing due diligence in informing the residents of the mitigation and safety impairment.

I suspect this is done as part of insurance requirements or fire code requirements for dealing with failures in the detection systems.

Originally Posted by llwhiteoutll

They are fulfilling their responsibility that all residents be notified that the system is inoperative. It looks like they want signed confirmation if they are ever audited.

There should be notices at all entrances and elevators as well. The fire department will also have been notified.

CAN/ULC-S536-04 has a list of requirements for partial or full shutdowns of fire detection systems.

That makes sense.

I guess her history with the property management company just has me a bit paranoid about the whole thing.

[Drummer]

Is this a private condo building with a condo board or a rental apartment building?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

That's pretty standard - as I Board I recall having to send those out and hiring a rent-a-cop when the main panel went down for a couple days.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Drummer

Is this a private condo building with a condo board or a rental apartment building?

It's a rental building.

[You Need a Thneed]

Watchmen during this kind of event is standard procedure.

I would think getting signatures isn't completely necessary, but they are just doing their due diligence in trying to make sure everyone reads the notice.

This kind of practice is necessary, for example, anytime when many fire alarm systems need modifications.