NYS smoke detector law

[mjf]

Recently found out about the NYS licencing of burgular and fire alarm installers.

I was under the impression that this was regarding fire alarm systems (that tie into 911 or the local emergency services).

I was wrong.

It seems I can wire and install your service,, branch circuits, lights, receptacles, range, wall oven, boiler, dishwasher, pool, outbuilding, detached garage, your automatic or manual generator/switch, etc, etc, etc

BUT even though I've been hard-wiring smoke detectors and CO2 detectors for years, I am no longer allowed by law to do so.


Gotta love it.

 

[peter d]

Wouldn't this rule only apply to low voltage smoke and CO detectors that are directly connected to a burglar/fire alarm panel?

 

[mjf]

Wouldn't this rule only apply to low voltage smoke and CO detectors that are directly connected to a burglar/fire alarm panel?

That was the impression that I was under.

I was picking up an electrical permit in a local town and noticed there were several other "electrical" permit applications available (I download mine and fill it out at home). Apon further investigation, there was a app for low voltage alarm systems (fire and/or burgular) and another app for 120volt hardwired smoke detector systems. I asked the kind woman who was processing my permit about it and she told me it is a NYS law and I have to now get licensed to hard wire smoke detectors and CO2 detectors.

copy and paste from:

New York StateDEPARTMENT OF STATE​

Division of Licensing Services

What is a Security or Fire Alarm Installer?​

New York State law (Article 6D of the General BusinessLaw) and Department of State rules (19 NYCRR) defines a security or fire alarm installer as one who installs, services or maintains security or fire alarm systems to detect intrusion, break-in, movement, sound or fire.​

Who is excluded from this law?​

A license is not required to install systems on motor vehicles, boats or airplanes. A license is not required to install a battery operated smoke detection device. However, a person who is in the business of installing a hard wired smoke detector must be licensed. Home or business owners installing a system on their own property are not “in the business of ” installing, and thus are not required to be licensed. It is important to note that such systems include only those dedicated to detection. In the context of alarm systems, detection means to warn or to notify. Therefore, the installation of “passive” (i.e., non-detecting) security devices does not require licensure.


I'm going to have to make some calls and find out what a passive or "non-detecting" security device is. (If I pay for a security device I sure want it to detect!!!)

Now, I'm not "in the business" of installing burgular alarms or even "a hard wired smoke detector", but it has been part of plenty of jobs over the last 20 or so years, and at least according to that 1 town, I can no longer install them.
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