UPDATE! - April, 2012 - Subsequent to the publication of this Burning Brick Award, we are advised that Levitt committed significant resources to ensuring their employees refocused their attention on the second word in their name - Safety. And this initiative was apparently enthusiastically embraced nation-wide. They are the first to respond in such a positive way and can count themselves as well along towards building what David Brinkley so eloquently alluded to in this quotation:
“A successful man is one that can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

Temporary Fire Safety:

The building in which this fire alarm system is located is a two story walk-up apartment formerly serviced by Active Fire and Safety Services Ltd. Apparently the fire alarm system's power supply was found to be defective during the annual test. For how long is anyone's guess. It's an old Electrovox CP-2008 panel (pre-Pyrotronics take-over). The first step in the "Red Tag" process was initiated properly (the old AFS tag was "X'd" out), but it was followed by a rather unorthodox (and entirely illegal) "temporary fix". The tag reads June 30, 2010. These pictures were taken July 20th, 2010. The building should have been put on FIRE WATCH, the fire department notified, and the entire panel replaced. While this was explained away by the Levitt technician responsible as a "well intentioned" attempt to save the customer some money, the "repair" (if you can call it that) was poorly executed. The lack of follow-up only made an already UNSAFE situation an unconscionable danger for the residents. Thankfully, nothing happened. We review the proper RED TAG procedure on our FAQs page. The technicians at Levitt need to be reminded that "safety" isn't just a part of their employer's name. We all have to put LIFE SAFETY first!

The battery connection for the Edwards power supply also powers the Electrovox fire alarm panel, through the fuse holder visible at the bottom of the photograph above (which would normally be connected to the stand-by battery).

120 VAC for the Edwards Power Supply is wired up with 18/5 fire alarm cable. Does "doubling up" make it "OK"?

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