In the life safety and property protection industry, one recurring question continues to surface: does a tenant need to sign a contract if the property owner has already signed one? A recent Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum article highlights why this issue matters and why alarm, fire, and security professionals should not treat it as a simple formality. The answer often depends on who owns the system, who uses it day-to-day, and who is expected to comply with the contractual obligations tied to monitoring, maintenance, testing, and response.

From a Louisiana perspective, this question carries added importance. Under Louisiana law, contracts are generally enforceable only against the parties who sign them and have legal authority over the obligations being assumed. When a property owner signs an agreement for life safety or property protection systems, that contract typically governs installation, ownership of equipment, and long-term obligations such as monitoring or service fees. However, tenants are often the daily users of these systems. They arm and disarm alarms, interact with access control systems, and may be responsible—by ordinance or lease terms—for false alarms, system misuse, or compliance with local alarm regulations. If a tenant is not a party to the alarm or monitoring contract, enforcing responsibilities such as user training, operational compliance, or cost recovery can become difficult.

This distinction is especially relevant in Louisiana municipalities with alarm ordinances that place specific obligations or penalties on the “alarm user” rather than the property owner alone. False alarm fines, permit requirements, and renewal obligations may fall on the occupant of the premises, even when the owner signed the original contract. Without a tenant’s signature—or a clearly documented agreement tying the tenant to system responsibilities—alarm companies may find themselves caught between owners, tenants, and local authorities. For life safety systems, including fire alarms, similar issues arise when tenants control daily operations but are not contractually bound to testing schedules, impairment notifications, or misuse provisions.

The takeaway for Louisiana life safety and property protection professionals is not that every situation requires the same paperwork, but that clarity is critical. Contracts should clearly define who owns the equipment, who is responsible for system operation, and who bears liability for misuse, false alarms, or noncompliance. In many cases, obtaining a tenant acknowledgment or a separate agreement—especially when the tenant is the primary system user—can reduce disputes and protect all parties involved. As the Kirschenbaum article underscores, strong contracts are not just legal documents; they are risk-management tools that help ensure systems are used properly, laws are followed, and expectations are understood from the start.

LLSSA encourages members to review their contract practices with these considerations in mind and to consult qualified legal counsel when structuring agreements involving both property owners and tenants. Doing so helps safeguard your business, supports compliance with Louisiana law, and ultimately strengthens the life safety and property protection services provided to customers across the state.

Kat Brown has made truly remarkable contributions to the life safety and security industry in Louisiana, and her impact on LLSSA cannot be overstated. While her retirement marks the end of an era, it also offers an opportunity to celebrate a career defined by leadership, service, and a genuine commitment to strengthening our industry. Kat’s steady guidance, thoughtful decision-making, and willingness to step up whenever needed helped shape LLSSA into the strong, respected association it is today.

Throughout her years of service, Kat held numerous key leadership roles within LLSSA, including Convention Committee Chairperson, Legislative Chairperson, Membership Chairperson, and Election Chairperson. In each of these roles, she brought focus, integrity, and a deep understanding of the life safety and property protection profession. Her work was instrumental in building meaningful events, advancing legislative awareness, growing membership, and ensuring transparent and effective governance. Simply put, Kat helped mold both the association and the industry it serves across Louisiana.

Beyond her formal titles, Kat has been a passionate advocate for people. Her dedication to the WISE Group—Women in Security Empowerment—created space for women in the life safety and property protection industry to connect, learn, mentor one another, and grow professionally. Through WISE, Kat helped foster confidence, collaboration, and community, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment that will continue to benefit future generations of industry professionals.

As we celebrate Kat Brown’s retirement, we do so with gratitude, admiration, and best wishes for the adventures ahead. Her legacy of service, leadership, and encouragement will remain firmly woven into the fabric of LLSSA. We invite our members and industry partners to join us in recognizing Kat’s incredible journey and thanking her for the lasting mark she has left on Louisiana’s life safety and security community.

Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, are a fundamental part of maintaining an active Life Safety & Property Protection endorsement in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, through the LSPP Education Board, defines a CEU as one hour of approved continuing education designed to ensure that licensed professionals remain current on codes, technology, safety practices, and regulatory requirements. CEUs exist to support competency and consistency across the industry, ensuring that every technician or specialist working under an LSPP endorsement maintains the knowledge necessary to protect people and property effectively.

CEUs in Louisiana must meet the standards established by the LSPP Education Board, as outlined in the Training and Education Guidelines and Louisiana Administrative Code. For continuing education to qualify, the content must be directly relevant to the licensee’s endorsement and to the broader life safety or property protection fields. Commonly accepted topics include instruction on fire alarm systems, fire suppression system installation or maintenance, life-safety codes, state regulatory updates, security system operation, access control technologies, locksmithing practices, CCTV integration, inspection procedures, testing requirements, and other material that impacts compliance, safety, or proper system performance. Courses must come from Board-approved CEU providers, and the instruction must clearly support the professional duties, technical responsibilities, or regulatory obligations of the license holder.

Louisiana requires each LSPP license holder to complete eight CEUs every year. At least half of these hours must come from specific content categories defined by the Education Board to ensure that the training is sufficiently technical and relevant to the endorsement. These requirements help prevent licensees from relying on overly general training and encourage ongoing learning in the core areas tied to fire and security system safety. Courses taken for CEU credit must be completed within the licensing cycle and must align with the Board’s published guidelines to ensure they are accepted at renewal.

Reporting CEUs is an individual responsibility. When professionals renew their LSPP credentials, they must certify that they have completed the required eight hours and must provide documentation such as certificates of completion from approved providers. These certificates must be retained and submitted with the renewal form or made available upon request by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Failure to complete or properly document CEUs can delay or prevent license renewal, temporarily prohibiting the individual from performing work under their LSPP endorsement.

CEUs play a critical role in maintaining Louisiana’s high standards for life safety and property protection. The technology, codes, and best practices that govern our industry continue to evolve, and continuing education ensures that licensed professionals remain informed and capable. For those in fire alarm, suppression, security, CCTV, and related disciplines, CEUs are not simply a regulatory requirement; they are an ongoing commitment to professionalism, public safety, and the integrity of the systems we install and maintain.

Professionals seeking CEUs will find that the LLSSA offers some of the most accessible and relevant opportunities in the state. Each year, CEU-approved classes are available at the LLSSA Convention, the Dealer Conference in Natchitoches, regional meetings across Louisiana, self-paced online, and through our ongoing webinar series. These training events are tailored specifically to LSPP-licensed professionals and address the real-world challenges and code requirements of our industry. LLSSA members receive discounted pricing on many of these CEU courses, making it easier and more economical to stay compliant while staying connected to the latest developments in life safety and property protection.

Understanding the Lafayette Alarm Ordinance: What Alarm Users and Alarm Companies Must Know

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance, established through Ordinance O-246-98 and later amended by O-114-2008, sets the standards for how alarm users, alarm installation companies, and monitoring providers must operate within the City of Lafayette. Its primary purpose is to reduce false alarm dispatches, maintain current and accurate records, and ensure that life-safety and property-protection systems are installed, monitored, and maintained responsibly. Under this ordinance, every alarm user must obtain an alarm permit before any new activation, system conversion, or takeover. Alarm companies are responsible for ensuring that a permit is in place prior to beginning monitoring or installation services. A company that activates or takes over a system without verifying a valid user permit is in violation of Section 32-44 and may face fines ranging from $100 to $250 for each 30-day period in which the violation occurs. These fines underscore the importance of compliance and are designed to reinforce the city’s efforts to prevent repeated false alarms and misuse of emergency response resources.

Alarm companies and monitoring centers also carry specific responsibilities under the Lafayette ordinance. Each company engaging in business within the city must register annually with the Lafayette Police Department’s Alarm Administrator. This registration does not require a fee, but it must be completed by January 15 each year to remain in good standing. As part of their ongoing obligations, companies must maintain accurate and updated records for all alarm users, including current names, telephone numbers, and alternative contact information. They are also expected to provide proper employee training on false alarm prevention, designate a False Alarm Coordinator to manage alarm issues, and proactively assist customers who experience recurring false alarms. The attached document explains that when a user reaches four false alarm dispatches in a one-year period, companies are encouraged to send a technician to assess the system or have the coordinator work with the customer to identify contributing factors and reduce further activations. This collaborative effort between users and providers is a central component of Lafayette’s false alarm reduction strategy.

The ordinance also outlines proper procedures for reporting and canceling burglary alarms to ensure efficient communication with emergency responders. If a monitoring center is located within Lafayette’s local calling area, alarm signals must be reported to 911. Centers located outside the local calling area must use the designated long-distance number, (337) 232-1400. The Lafayette Police Department specifically instructs alarm companies not to use any other departmental numbers for alarm reporting or cancelation, as doing so disrupts established communication protocols. Additionally, the city asks alarm companies to gather household or business pet information from alarm users so that first responders can approach the property more safely during an emergency call. This includes details such as pet type, color, name, and where the animal is typically located inside the premises.

False alarm fines, permit registrations, updates, and renewals are handled through the City of Lafayette’s False Alarm Reduction Program, managed by PM-AM. Users can apply for permits, update information, or pay false alarm fees online at www.famspermit.com/lafayette, by phone at 1-877-875-9177, or by mail to the address listed in the ordinance materials. A mobile app, FAMS-ALM, is also available for those who prefer digital access. Maintaining an active permit and updating information whenever changes occur are essential parts of remaining compliant with the ordinance. Failure to do so may result in fines, service interruptions, or additional enforcement actions by the city.

The Lafayette Alarm Ordinance reflects a shared responsibility among alarm users, alarm companies, monitoring centers, and public safety agencies. By ensuring that systems are properly permitted, monitored, and maintained—and by taking reasonable steps to reduce false alarms—everyone contributes to a safer community and more efficient emergency response. The ordinance is not simply a regulatory requirement; it is a coordinated effort to ensure that police, fire, and EMS resources remain available for true emergencies and that alarm systems continue to serve as reliable tools for protecting lives and property.

LLSSA Launches New Monthly Webinar Series Beginning December 15

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association (LLSSA) is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new Monthly Webinar Series, with the first session kicking off on December 15. This recurring educational program is designed to keep Louisiana’s life safety and property protection professionals informed, engaged, and equipped with the knowledge they need in a rapidly evolving industry.

Each month, LLSSA will host a live one-hour webinar featuring important updates on issues directly affecting our membership — from regulatory changes and licensing requirements to state and national developments impacting alarm installers, fire technicians, and integrators across Louisiana. These sessions ensure that our members stay connected with what’s happening both inside LLSSA and throughout the industry.

Every webinar will also be sponsored by one of our valued Associate Members, who help make this program possible. In appreciation of the time and professionalism our members invest in continuing education, LLSSA will offer one (1) hour of CEU credit to participants who attend the full session. CEUs are available exclusively to LLSSA members.  Unless otherwise noted, attendance is free, but registration is required to access each month’s live presentation.

This new monthly offering is part of LLSSA’s ongoing commitment to support our members with high-quality training opportunities and to help them maintain the CEUs necessary for license renewal. Whether you’re an alarm installer, fire technician, security integrator, monitoring professional, or company owner, these webinars provide a convenient and valuable way to stay informed and advance your professional development.

Registration links and monthly topics will be posted on the LLSSA website and distributed through email announcements. We look forward to having you join us as we begin this exciting new member benefit — another example of LLSSA’s dedication to strengthening Louisiana’s life safety and property protection industry.

A Critical Spectrum Threat: What Louisiana’s Life Safety & Property Protection Industry Needs to Know About the NextNav Proposal

Last week, LLSSA leadership was alerted to a rapidly developing national issue that could directly affect alarm companies, integrators, monitoring centers, manufacturers, and the customers we protect across Louisiana. Leigh McGuire from The Monitoring Association (TMA) contacted us regarding a major FCC proposal involving the Lower 900 MHz band, a spectrum widely used by alarm systems, life-safety devices, and Z-Wave technology. 

The FCC is considering a rule change that would remove long-standing non-interference protections for this spectrum. In their place, the Commission is exploring whether to grant NextNav permission to use nearly 60% of the Lower 900 MHz band to support 5G-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. NextNav argues that this expanded access is necessary for improved indoor location accuracy — particularly in dense, multi-level structures where public safety responders need better vertical positioning tools.

However, the engineering reality tells a different story.

According to the industry alert and the technical analysis summarized in the attachment General_NextNav Call to Action — along with a full research study conducted by the Security Industry Association (SIA) — the proposed rule change could overlap, interfere with, and ultimately overwhelm the low-power channels used by tens of millions of devices nationwide. This includes wireless burglary and fire alarm sensors, smoke and CO detectors, wireless keypads, panic buttons, PERS devices, access control components, and the entire ecosystem of Z-Wave automation peripherals. These systems rely on clean, interference-free communication to function correctly.

If high-power 5G activity is permitted inside this band, these life-safety and security devices may fail, lock up, or be forced off the spectrum entirely. The consequences for our industry — and more importantly, for the public — would be staggering. Replacing millions of impacted devices would cost billions, overwhelm technicians, strain already fragile supply chains, and create a nationwide service disruption larger than any previous technology “sunset.” As noted in the alert, this is not another 3G sunset… yet — but all the warning signs are here.

For Louisiana companies, the stakes are especially high. With our state’s combination of dense urban centers, petrochemical facilities, rural markets, and aging buildings, wireless alarm communication remains essential to fire and life-safety protection. Equipment instability or mass device failures would put customers, first responders, and businesses at unacceptable risk.

Now is the time for Louisiana’s alarm and life-safety professionals to act.
The FCC is actively seeking public comment from those who will be directly affected. Local companies, monitoring centers, integrators, and service technicians have real-world insight into how interference would impact essential systems — and the FCC needs to hear those voices. Even a short statement describing how many systems you service, how critical these wireless channels are, or what a forced nationwide replacement would mean for your customers can make a measurable difference.

You can submit comments directly to the FCC at: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard?proceeding[name]=24-240

In addition, LLSSA encourages members to stay engaged with TMA, SIA, NESA, and AICC as this develops. These groups are coordinating engineering studies, legal advocacy, and industry-wide responses to ensure our concerns are heard clearly and forcefully in Washington. If you want deeper technical detail or wish to support the ongoing national response effort, the attached industry alert includes contact information for joining AICC discussions and contributing to the advocacy fund.

The threat is real, but so is our opportunity to stop it — before it becomes a nationwide crisis. Louisiana’s life safety and property protection industry has a strong, unified voice. Now is the time to use it.

The Louisiana Life Safety & Security Association proudly celebrates the success of the 2025 LLSSA Convention, an outstanding gathering of life safety and security professionals featuring education, networking, industry innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

The event began with the annual LLSSA Golf Tournament, where the team of Avery Roberts, Greg Page, Jacob Thomas, and Adam Emmet took top honors. Chris Bartholomew claimed the Putting Contest title, Mike McIver won Longest Drive, and Jenny Williams earned Closest to the Hole. All proceeds from the tournament support LLSSA’s Youth Scholarship Program, helping provide educational opportunities for the children of Louisiana’s fire, police, and first responder families.

Inside the convention hall, attendees explored the latest products and services from 70 vendors and participated in over 23 hours of CEUs, ensuring licensed professionals remain at the forefront of industry standards and updates. The ever-popular Parade of Prizes, hosted by Cat Fleuret, awarded more than $5,000 in prizes to excited attendees. Dustin Loupe was recognized as the Event App Gamification Winner after leading the convention in app-based engagement.

A highlight of the convention was the ceremonial Tradeshow Opening Parade, featuring the Louisiana State Fire Marshal Color Guard presenting the colors, accompanied by the powerful music of the Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums. LLSSA’s mascot Gabe the Gator made his annual appearance—this time charming the crowd with two baby gators joining him.

During the State Meeting and Tradeshow, Kristin Hebert served as Master of Ceremonies, ensuring each moment flowed seamlessly. It was during the State Meeting that LLSSA proudly presented Lifetime Memberships to two long-serving leaders: Bill Hattier, honored for his many years as Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chairperson, and Ed Hilderbrand, recognized for his long-standing service as Golf Tournament and Scholarship Chairperson. Their dedication and commitment have played a vital role in shaping the association’s success and supporting its mission.

Another notable program was WISE — Women in Security Empowerment, offering an empowering space dedicated to the women of the life safety and security industry. The session featured guest speaker Melanie Talia of the New Orleans Police Department and the New Orleans Justice Foundation. Attendees also contributed to a meaningful cause, collecting teddy bears for children who must interact with law enforcement during difficult circumstances.

The LLSSA extends its sincere appreciation to every attendee, vendor, sponsor, volunteer, and partner who made the 2025 Convention exceptional. Planning is already underway for next year’s event, and we look forward to welcoming the industry back together for another impactful gathering.

When It’s Time to Let a Customer Go: Managing Difficult Clients in the Life Safety and Property Protection Industry

Difficult customers are nothing new to the life-safety and property-protection industry, but the stakes can be far higher than in other fields. When a customer refuses to maintain their system, fails to respond to service requests, ignores false-alarm issues, or refuses to pay fines or invoices, it isn’t just an administrative headache. These situations can create operational risk, liability exposure, strained relationships with authorities having jurisdiction, and a drain on valuable company resources. As attorney Ken Kirschenbaum notes in his article on “Dumping Difficult Customers Over Fines,” there are times when canceling a customer is the most responsible step a company can take—for its own protection and for the integrity of its service model.

The first priority, however, is always to avoid reaching that point. Prevention begins with a clear, well-written contract that sets expectations from the start. Every customer should know what they are responsible for, what the service provider is obligated to deliver, how fines, false alarms, and ordinance violations are handled, and what happens if either party fails to meet their obligations. Many conflicts arise because the customer does not understand their responsibilities related to system maintenance, access for inspections, or payment of fines associated with repeated false alarms. Reinforcing these expectations early, providing a fully executed copy of the contract upon request, and documenting performance issues as they arise can help prevent misunderstandings from escalating. When concerns do surface—whether unpaid invoices, repeated service calls, or constant false alarms—addressing them promptly and professionally can often redirect the relationship. Some problematic accounts can be stabilized simply by outlining the expectations once more, documenting defaults, and explaining what will occur if the behavior continues.

Even with strong communication and clear agreements, there are situations where a customer becomes too disruptive or too costly to manage. When that point arrives, the company must follow a deliberate and responsible process. The contract should be reviewed to ensure that all termination provisions are followed exactly as stated. Written notice should be provided, explaining the reason for termination, the effective date, and any outstanding responsibilities such as final payments or equipment return. If the company monitors the system, it must ensure that monitoring is disconnected properly and that the central station is notified to avoid future signals or liability. Equipment owned by the company should be retrieved, access credentials should be revoked, and the termination should be documented thoroughly for legal and operational clarity. Some jurisdictions or contractual arrangements may require notice to the local authority having jurisdiction, and companies should consider whether such communication is appropriate to prevent confusion or misinterpretation.

While letting a customer go may feel uncomfortable, the benefits can be significant. A difficult customer often consumes disproportionate time and resources, creates recurring service problems, disrupts schedules, and increases the risk of regulatory scrutiny. Removing an uncooperative or consistently delinquent customer frees technicians, office staff, and management to focus on clients who value the service and comply with standards. It reduces liability by distancing the company from someone who ignores safety requirements or interferes with system maintenance. It also strengthens internal and external credibility: when you enforce your contract, uphold your business standards, and refuse to compromise safety, your team develops a consistent discipline and your customers learn that you stand behind your policies. In many cases, companies find that dropping a problem account leads to improved profitability, smoother operations, and better working relationships with AHJs and clients alike.

In life-safety and property-protection work, every customer relationship should enhance safety, not undermine it. While most disagreements can be resolved through communication and structured expectations, cancellation is sometimes the most responsible business decision. By establishing strong preventive practices, managing issues as they arise, and executing termination professionally when required, companies protect their employees, their reputations, and ultimately the people who rely on their systems every day.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies should consult an attorney for guidance on contract enforcement or termination decisions.

In a world where trespassers, theft, and vandalism continue to challenge commercial and industrial property owners, the role of monitoring centers is evolving from passive alarm receivers to active deterrence platforms. The article from Security Info Watch explains how advances in video analytics and two-way audio are enabling monitoring centers to not simply wait for alarms to trigger, but to intervene in real time and stop intruders before significant loss occurs.

Video analytics — the ability of surveillance systems to detect loitering, unauthorized direction of travel, and movement across virtual boundaries — means that installations no longer rely wholly on human observation after an event. Instead, real-time algorithms can flag potential threats, triggering sirens, lights, or human verbal warnings via on-site speakers before an actual break-in occurs. Two-way audio takes that a step further: operators in a monitoring center can speak directly to individuals on-site, issue verbal warnings, interview suspected intruders or coordinate with first-responders while events are unfolding. 

For the Louisiana life safety and property protection industry, these developments represent both an opportunity and a new set of responsibilities for installation firms, alarm-service providers, and monitoring-channel integrators. As Louisiana contractors design alarm systems, decide on video surveillance and integrate monitoring services, they must now consider how the system supports not just detection and notification, but proactive deterrence and human verification in a monitoring-center environment.

Specifically, when a Louisiana business installs a monitored fire-alarm, intrusion-detection and video-surveillance solution, specifying analytics, two-way audio wiring, appropriate speaker placement, and link to a monitoring center capable of immediate talk-down becomes a design consideration. The standard installer contract may need to reference the capability for “live monitoring talk-down” or “remote voice challenge” rather than just “alarm signal to monitoring center.” Training of technicians must expand to include verifying that the camera/analytics/speaker chain is correctly implemented, that false-alarm reduction measures are in place (so monitoring-centers are not overloaded), and that the monitoring-center is classed under a protocol like the AVS‑01 that helps determine police-response priority. 

The impact for service and maintenance companies in Louisiana should also not be underestimated. During service visits, technicians ought to check that audio-speakers are functional and correctly integrated to the monitoring-center network, that voice-challenge responses are being logged, that analytics are properly tuned (for example to avoid pet or vehicle motion generating nuisance alarms) and that the monitoring-center is receiving the correct event classifications that will elevate law-enforcement dispatch priority. Installers who provide documentation to building owners explaining these capabilities gain credibility, and those who offer verification tests (e.g., simulate intrusion, have monitoring center respond with voice warning) can differentiate their service in the marketplace.

The shift toward active deterrence also aligns with broader risk-management and insurance trends in Louisiana. Property owners increasingly demand not just alarms that “notify when something happens” but systems that “prevent something from happening.” As installers you can educate your clients that systems with analytics and two-way audio provide a higher level of operational security, potentially reducing losses, lowering insurance premiums, and appealing to budgets for life safety and property protection combined.

To sum up, installation firms operating under LLSSA’s banner should view the monitoring-center evolution not as a technology silo, but as an integral part of the life-safety and property-protection ecosystem in Louisiana. Your scope of work must broaden to include system design for active deterrence, coordination with monitoring centers for real-time talk-down, and service protocols that ensure these capabilities keep functioning. With this approach, Louisiana contractors can lead the way in delivering advanced security solutions that go beyond compliance and into proactive protection.

The newly released 2025 edition of NFPA 72 brings several important changes that will directly shape how fire alarm and life-safety professionals in Louisiana design, install, test, and maintain systems. The final installment of the “Fireside Chat” series highlights updates to Chapters 14 and 29—areas that significantly influence day-to-day work for technicians, inspectors, and service companies. For LLSSA members, understanding these updates early will help reduce liability, improve accuracy in the field, and better prepare companies for future enforcement by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal and local authorities.

One of the most notable clarifications is that inspection, testing, and maintenance personnel are no longer expected to confirm whether the original fire alarm system design is adequate. Their role is to evaluate and maintain the system as installed, while design-adequacy reviews remain the responsibility of a qualified engineer when required. For Louisiana contractors, this clarification protects service technicians from inadvertently assuming design liability and reinforces the importance of well-written scopes of work, clearly defined responsibilities, and proper documentation in service contracts. Companies that perform both design and maintenance will want to ensure internal separation of duties and updated training so technicians understand where their responsibilities begin and end.

The 2025 edition also strengthens the role of manufacturer documentation. Technologies such as thermal-image detectors must now be inspected, tested, and maintained strictly according to the manufacturer’s published procedures. This change underscores the need for Louisiana companies to stay current with manufacturer updates, train technicians on device-specific requirements, and ensure field documentation captures all required test criteria. As more advanced detection methods enter the Louisiana market, this standard reinforces that the responsibility for correct maintenance extends beyond NFPA 72 and into the precise requirements of each device’s listing.

Emergency responder communications enhancement systems also receive new testing expectations. Supervisory functions and all ancillary features must be tested to ensure they do not interfere with or impair the fire alarm system. With more ERCES installations appearing in high-rise, healthcare, commercial, and special-use buildings across Louisiana, these additional testing steps will affect service time, technician training, and documentation procedures. Companies will need to adjust scheduling, task lists, and pricing structures to reflect the increased workload required for compliance.

Changes to Chapter 29 affect residential and household systems, particularly those involving fuel-gas detection and combination smoke or CO alarm monitoring devices. NFPA 72 now points to NFPA 715 for fuel-gas detector installation and performance criteria, making it essential for Louisiana installers to understand its requirements when working in homes, apartments, and mixed-use residential settings. Devices that “listen” for the sound of smoke or CO alarms must be specifically listed for that purpose, and they are prohibited from transmitting signals directly to a supervising station. This prevents household add-on devices from being misused as substitutes for true monitored fire alarm systems. Additionally, CO alarms installed in unconditioned spaces must be listed for those temperature and humidity conditions, which may affect device selection in garages, workshops, camps, and other Louisiana environments prone to heat and humidity swings.

For Louisiana’s life safety and property protection industry, these changes represent more than updates to a national standard. They influence local practices, AHJ expectations, training requirements, and the way companies write proposals and service contracts. As the Louisiana State Fire Marshal and local jurisdictions begin referencing or incorporating the new edition into inspections and plan reviews, LLSSA members who prepare early will be better positioned to avoid compliance issues, reduce liability exposure, and demonstrate professionalism to customers and authorities. These revisions also offer an opportunity for companies to strengthen customer communication, educate building owners on upcoming expectations, and emphasize the value of using properly trained, licensed, and code-informed technicians.

By embracing the 2025 edition of NFPA 72 now, Louisiana contractors reinforce their commitment to safety, accuracy, and industry leadership. LLSSA members who adapt quickly will not only remain compliant but will also enhance their competitive edge across the state’s growing life-safety and property protection market.