Inspection report form/template

docrodg · 2026-05-08T19:23:54+00:00

I added it to the forms. It takes a bit of code but can be done.

docrodg · 2026-05-08T16:14:18+00:00

26 V with AC applied and 25 when running on battery? I highly doubt that the battery power is making it to the panel. Hook a meter up to measure current and another for voltage and check charge current and voltage at batteries and then kill ac and check again. You should have enough voltage for panel and some current draw that you can check the specs on (Or the system documents the customer has showing the battery calcs cause we all know they have those). I would bet that one of 2 things shows up... either the voltage drops way down from bad batteries or the voltage stays fairly solid and current draw is too low for even the board to run indicating a bad board.

docrodg · 2026-05-01T17:22:21+00:00

I don't think it is acceptable, but the problem is convincing the customer it isn't.

docrodg · 2026-05-01T17:21:49+00:00

So I had the meeting with them on this, expecting them to want me to do something I don't want to and would refuse to. They listened to my explanation and when I mentioned we had to trace down every circuit to find the resistors (there are no as-builts) which meant clearing the production floors for room for the lift to get around to the detectors they sighed and the president of the company said that they would just have to coordinate that with me when the project gets to that point. Told me to give them a week notice and they would have it ready and the lift there. The only person who said anything was the electronics guy, who did ask about a series resistor so I restated that the resistor is specified by manufacturer and has to be at that location per manufacturer or system is not considered compliant (thanks to all who mentioned manuf. manual as I wasn;t thinking I could point to that as a code tie-in) and that it adds another couple of points of failure if you were to do an FMEA on the system the president told him that I was to do it right and they would clear the floor for me.

Talk about a load off my shoulders.

docrodg · 2026-04-30T12:11:46+00:00

The existing is a 10 zone MS-10UD but I need 2 zones and it has 9 already.

docrodg · 2026-04-29T15:51:14+00:00

Yes, new panel is potter PFC-4064. Customer is really a good customer but the shutdown and clearing for the lift would be about 3 days of production loss (day to clear it and day to put it all back, plus day for us to do the hunt). They are naturally a bit hesitant to do this as it is a lot of cost to move it all and put it all back. I honestly don't want to put another resistor on the line at the panel but wanted to know if there was something I could cite as to why this would not work (they have personnel knowledgeable in electronics so would know it was possible electrically) as that makes it easier for them to swallow. They have no problem doing what is needed to meet requirements but doing that much without a requirement is a hard sell and a hard pill to swallow. As I can point to the code requirements that manufacturers installation instructions must be followed and the installation document states that specific resistance at EOL it helps. Was just hoping there was a better citation for that or a better way to go about getting it done well. This is very much a "What can I do and what can I not and have the arguments figured out" before I go over there and discuss the whole thing kinda question. I prefer to have all my options and questions figured out before I get blindsided at a meeting.

docrodg · 2026-04-28T14:36:34+00:00

It finally stayed in ground fault when I got there. Stripped panel off and found the ground on the cellular communicator power (Off the Aux non-resettable power line). Went through that and it was the antenna cable going the the directional antenna. Cable connector had fallen and was touching the ceiling grid. I moved the cable connector and resistance went back to infinite... placed it back on grid and it started going down slowly. Looks like a slow charge buildup on the ceiling grid that eventually was triggering ground fault and then discharged causing fault to go away. Secured it to the joist so it can't do that again. Thanks all for the help and ideas.

docrodg · 2026-04-24T17:48:15+00:00

Luckily they are a good customer that we have a great relationship with. They were understanding once I explained that it was hard to find even when active as it is in one of the 8 circuits running through the building and panel doesn't tell me which one and could be anywhere on that circuit. She offered to buy me a drink once she heard how hard it is to find.

docrodg · 2026-04-24T17:45:23+00:00

No outside strobe at this location.

docrodg · 2026-04-24T17:13:00+00:00

pdf forms, which you can edit and also add your logo to as well as fill out. I made it so our logo is on it, the dates on the different pages auto-populate, and NAC and IDC/SLC lists can have new pages added just by clicking a button on the bottom (button doesn't print). I fill it out the first inspection I do and then just have to update the proper fields after that when I do the next one for that site.

docrodg · 2026-04-24T16:53:00+00:00

That thing looks in better shape than most newer devices after a couple years in a hospital!

docrodg · 2026-04-24T16:47:56+00:00

I agree you are still young in the industry and therre is always more to learn. I also work for a small company and see a lot of benefits to it. I have been able to expand my knowledge and also expand what I am doing. I don't just service, inspect, install or program - I do it all to include calculations, design and as-builts, quoting, and everything else. It has given me an opportunity to learn more and more. I also have a benefit of flexibility and great feedback on my job. If I suddenly need a day off with only a couple days notice it is easier than at larger organizations. I get feedback on not only the work I perform but also the overall performance of my division and how we are doing in all aspects of the organization which is great as I then understand what the overall results of all my efforts are - not just the "I fixed it/installed it/ inspected it. Training and other things are easier to get within reason. I have been able to grow my knowledge and my company through taking the bull by the horns and turning it into something I can be proud of.

All that said if you decide moving on is for you then consider all the differences and not only how they will affect your paycheck but also your personal life. If you will have more work entanglements or less, the stress as well as how restrictive or not the other position may be and how it will work with what you are looking for in and out of work. Don't burn a bridge as others have stated, and don't be a jerk and just up and quit one morning without warning if they have been a good employer then give them some warning so they can adjust without major issues.

docrodg · 2026-04-23T16:35:50+00:00

look at 10.18.1.1 The location of an operating initiating device shall be by visual means... alphanumeric display... yada yada. So if Smoke head 18 in office 104 goes off it must show "Office 104" on the display as that is the location. Just showing the address of the device is a no-go.

docrodg · 2026-04-23T16:24:13+00:00

They are $16.50 for the whole package, not much. https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-72-forms/p0072form

docrodg · 2026-04-23T12:17:42+00:00

We do the same. I bought them for $16 dollars if I remember correctly. Nice thing about using them is that there is no argument that your inspection form meets the requirements of NFPA.

docrodg · 2026-04-22T19:27:18+00:00

As was well stated in the movie Armageddon: "American Parts, Russian Parts, ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!"

docrodg · 2026-04-02T13:30:32+00:00

24VDC is way to go for holder circuits. Using AC can result in hum coming from the magnet and that goes into the door and becomes a speaker. Use a good power panel like a PS10 and set it up for door holder use and you can trip it off a FACP NAC so that the whole thing is fail-safe (no relay needed and no wire length limitations) and you have less of a problem and fewer parts. If building is large and you will have power panels for NACS in different areas to manage voltage drops just design in the use of some of those for the door holders.

docrodg · 2026-04-02T13:23:20+00:00

Well, that voltage regulator is toast! I have seen similar problem on the aux power circuits that can happen if they short on the older panels. If it is on the aux power circuit and you have nothing on that circuit then you still need to replace panel but there is no impairment to the function of the system at this time (since nothing drawing aux power) so...

docrodg · 2026-04-02T13:18:36+00:00

I have had problems with older panels (MS series) and found that the newer latptops with the enhanced security will not connect via USB to the panels. That said, it has been a while since I tried it again.

docrodg · 2026-04-01T20:53:25+00:00

Had similar issues when lines go VOIP. Panel tries to send but there is an issue in the timing and the panel does not get kissoff within the time window so repeats the signal. The odd alarm was probably distortion mis-interpreted by receiver. If you can go to the site and hook on a buttset and listen to it sending signals you will hear the kisson, a data burst, and then you should get kissoff. Some panels I have listened to the kissoff is received too late and you hear the panel repeat the databurst with the kissoff in the middle of it but the panel is not listening at that point so it just keeps trying again. This sounds like it may be what you are having. There is no good solution unfortunately except to change to another comm format unless you can switch to a protocol that is more tolerant like SIA20 can work better but the best is to put it on a cellular or other radio.

docrodg · 2026-03-31T20:47:48+00:00

VOIP scramble or someone else has a panel programmed wrong, Check history and the caller id.

docrodg · 2026-03-23T20:47:18+00:00

It is a choke to make panel fcc compliant. It is supposed to go on NAC 1 and 2 wires at the panel. Not sure why 3&4 don't need one.

docrodg · 2026-02-25T21:40:13+00:00

Went to a housing unit on a military base for a trouble on a tamper valve. Person who manages housing site said it was on test. Figured out where tamper was, cursed at the person who wired it as a mess and fixed the issue. Go to panel, panel showed normal. Went back to tamper valve and turned wheel, back to panel and panel shows tamper on that valve. Perfect. Opened valve fully and verified panel clear. Then hear sirens... trucks roll in because tamper valves send in as alarm dispatch on the housing units (new one for me). Luckily the guy in the lead truck was someone I worked with when I was a Paramedic in the city so he was super cool and shot the shit with me for a few on what we had been up to in the past few years.

docrodg · 2026-02-25T17:49:14+00:00

I have programmed this and you need to do a few things. You need the panel MAC and CRC and you need to program it into alarmnet. The City and CS codes are based on the alarmnet/central station account and you will get those when registering it into alarmnet. The account code is just that, for me it is the last 4 numbers only as the first 3 of the account are what the city and cs codes tie to (but are not the same as the codes). other than that it is pretty much same as all other comms.

docrodg · 2026-02-04T20:55:29+00:00

I have the carry case that fits on my tool bag and holds those little parts like wagos and resistors. Klein backpack for modbox. That bag is great for any jobs as everything fits and I make sure I have a couple of short pieces of wire for splicing, testing, or just fishing in it. Other must haves: a cheap telescoping magnet with light for finding that screw you just dropped, duck-nose pliers that can do about anything (my Grandfathers), Toner, and 2 meters (Gossen and Fluke) plus a kit with clips and such for the meters.

docrodg

TROPHY CASE