A fire alarm does not automatically require a completely separate contractor from every other low-voltage system. The correct arrangement depends on licensed scope, engineered documents, project responsibilities, monitoring and local review. Sentry Audio Video provides fire alarm services and coordination as a licensed low-voltage contractor; we are not the authority having jurisdiction.
Why fire alarm is not ordinary AV work
Fire and life-safety systems have specific design, supervision, notification, documentation, inspection and response requirements. They should never be treated as another convenience feature or added casually to a general technology proposal.
One low-voltage team may coordinate several systems
A qualified contractor may handle defined parts of fire alarm, security, access control, cameras and structured cabling when the work is within the applicable licensed and contracted scope. That can improve coordination of pathways, device locations, equipment rooms and construction schedules.
It does not remove the roles of engineers, electricians, monitoring providers, general contractors or the local authority having jurisdiction when those roles apply.
Questions to settle before the project starts
- Who is responsible for engineered drawings when required?
- Who obtains permits and coordinates municipal review?
- Which contractor provides pathways, power and device wiring?
- Who supplies and programs the panel and field devices?
- How will monitoring and the response path be coordinated?
- Who supports testing, inspection and closeout documentation?
Tenant fit-outs and renovations need early coordination
Moving walls, changing occupancy, adding doors or modifying ceilings can affect detection, notification and pathways. The fire-alarm scope should be reviewed while architectural and electrical decisions can still be changed without expensive rework.
What Sentry can do
Sentry provides fire-alarm planning, installation and service coordination within the applicable project scope. We can assess an existing system, support panel replacement and tenant fit-out planning, coordinate with the construction team and help organize required documentation. We do not interpret code for the authority, certify occupancy or guarantee permit approval.
Discuss a fire alarm project
Visit fire alarm services or request a site review. Boca Raton: (561) 717-3280. Orlando: (407) 377-5360. New York: (516) 210-2120.
Sentry Audio Video, LLC · Florida low-voltage license EF20001874 · Family-owned · 25 Years of Experience
