Or maybe instead of a password. there could be a Keyswitch
The way I see it passcodes along with the lock on the panel’s door would be enough to keep most vandals out (along with the absurdity of hacking/tampering with a fire alarm panel & trying not to get caught while doing so).
When it comes to security, physical access generally means “game over”.
@TheCarson116 Are you referring to “trunk slammers” (companies who aren’t authorized distributors) working on the system without being factory-trained?
Or are you referring to guests, etc. gaining access to the panel? If so, the remedy for that is arguably beyond the scope of panel design - regardless of software locks, it’s still possible to physically disconnect/damage the panel or cut the wires.
Any unauthorized person who, with malicious intent, tries to gain entry to the panel in any building should be immediately ejected and trespassed (banned, preferably for life) from the property (to the extent legally practicable), however, implementing such a policy is the building owner’s responsibility. (Note that depending on the facility type, there may be other legal considerations associated with ejecting someone. For instance, in Florida, if a guest is ejected from a hotel, they are entitled to a refund for unused nights in accordance with Florida Statute 509.141.)
Edit in hindsight: In cases where there isn’t any malicious intent (e.g. a younger child who’s just curious), a trespass order may not be the best solution - ejection for the day or even just a warning would suffice in these cases, especially since in some states, merely opening a panel is not illegal. (and before someone claims otherwise, tampering with fire alarm equipment or causing a false alarm is NOT a federal offense. It’s a state offense, and the definition varies from state to state. This is a surprisingly common misconception, even among fire alarm enthusiasts.)
If you’re wondering what the law in your state says on this or any other topic, here’s a nice site I found that has the full statutes (and regulations, and in many cases procedural rules of court) of every state and the feds.
https://casetext.com/library
Technically no: I’m just referring to people in general (i.e. vandals) who might want to tamper with life safety systems (as uncommon as such a thing is). Even if they bypassed both the physical & software locks, they’d still have to hope someone wouldn’t walk by the place the panel’s mounted & notice them tampering with it, at which point they’re busted.
The lock’s that are on pull stations and panels are so easy to pick
How do you know for sure? Have you ever tried picking one? Besides, I already laid out several other reasons why an attempt to gain access to a FACP would most likely fail.
I have picked the lock on my simplex t-bar
The problem is, someone could just get a copy of the key in some way
There are certain lock brands that have patented keys
I’m glad @_azln brought this up, panel security isn’t something I really thought of before:
This is what I was referring to by “guests, etc. gaining access to the panel”.
In regards to the physical locks on a panel, these are really just a mild deterrent - they’re not actual high-security locks and the keys are mass-produced.
They should not be seen as a substitute for putting the panel in a locked room or a monitored/surveilled location, or for taking prompt action against anyone who attempts to tamper with the panel.
No matter how good a product’s design is, it is not a substitute for proper use and care. Any product can be misused.
Worth noting that cases of people actually tampering with a panel are extremely rare compared to people who simply set off false alarms.
I would incorporate a technology such as “enchanced”EST devices where they can synchronize without a module
It would be especially helpful if there’s a setting like “T3-T4” where one sync signal makes it do T3 and another makes it do T4.
Agreed, all good ideas. Execution is difficult for many reasons though.
Wheelock did it with the Eluxa, and clocks use quartz oscillation to keep perfect time.
The average person is not going to want to do that since most people are good upstanding citizens.
True. Most panels are mounted in such locations though anyway.
True, yes.
Exactly why I’m sure passcodes & the panel’s door lock would be enough in most cases.
Before working as a technician, I would agree. But now, I definitley don’t.
Why? Because I get why there is proprietary systems. You have EST, Simplex, Siemens for example, who have these very big contracts, like hospitals, but they also do a lot of high security places, like government and military. I know Siemens for example recently got a $850,000 contract to replace systems in the Parliment Buildings in Ottawa.
You wouldn’t want any random Joe to be able to access and control any of these fire systems, as I can imagine some do more than that or control other functions. Or you wouldn’t want any random company, The big guys gets these contracts due to their longetivity, status, and their fire panels are more secure and less subject to tampering and such. Plus dealing with a direct manufacturer is probably easier.
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You do have a few points there, but I will reiterate what I’ve said: not only is tampering with a fire alarm panel not something vandals or average people commonly do, but even if they did try doing so there are measures to stop them from gaining access besides proprietary software, for example the lock on the door (which could be outfitted with a sensor that would raise an alarm if the door is forced open (without the key being turned) for additional security).
I know that I am a little late to this topic but I feel that this would be a good idea. reason being is that we know the history of fire alarms probably better than anyone els thus we would be able to build alarms of a better quality and mabey even think of something new or improve somethig.
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Exactly, maybe even better than a lot of people in the biz!
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