The customer collaborates with various stakeholders throughout the process—from concept and tentative design to estimates, product recommendations, and obtaining the Fire NOC. It is the responsibility of the system integrator to thoroughly review the tender documents, as they contain critical information necessary for the successful completion of the project.

The system integrator (bidders) must ensure the following conditions are met:

1. Compliance with National Building Code (NBC)
The design must comply with all relevant safety codes and standards as prescribed by the National Building Code (NBC).

2. Material Selection
All materials selected should be easily available, simple to install, operate, and maintain for a minimum of five years.

3. Manufacturer Support
The selected manufacturers must provide technical support for a minimum of five years from the date of installation.

4. Design and Drawing Support
The system integrator is responsible for providing the necessary design and drawing assistance as part of the project.

5. Warranty
The system should come with an 18-month product warranty and a five-year service warranty after installation.

6. Obsolete Material Management
The manufacturer must ensure support for the replacement of obsolete software and hardware components for a minimum of five years.

7. Calibration Support
The manufacturer must provide detector calibration support for at least five years after installation.

Fire Vulnerability Assessment and Compliance

• The system integrator is responsible for conducting a detailed fire vulnerability assessment and proposing solutions that align with building codes and safety standards. This is critical for obtaining the Fire NOC, licenses, and ensuring the renewal process is in place. The integrator should also provide guidance on procuring the prescribed items and assist in selecting qualified, professional system integrators to ensure that proper agreements are in place.
• The integrator should choose reliable OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for the primary system, ensuring they offer long-term support for a minimum of five years. Furthermore, the integrator must coordinate with third-party testing agencies to validate the installed system. Once installation is completed, the system should undergo testing with the integrator’s assistance. Following successful testing, the system enters a “burn-in” period of 30 days.

Burn-in and Testing Process

During the 30-day burn-in period, unstable components may fail, and any issues that arise should be promptly addressed. After this, a “burnout” test will be conducted, in which a third-party testing agency, along with the system integrator and the client’s user department, will retest the entire system. The system will only be deemed operational after passing this final testing phase.

Training, Maintenance, and AMC

• Once the system has been tested and confirmed to be functioning correctly, the system integrator must assist the client’s user department by providing training on system operation and maintenance. Random functional checks and performance reviews should also be carried out periodically.
• In the 10th month, the client and system integrator must identify and finalize an AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) agency for preventive maintenance. By the 11th month, a formal contract should be concluded with the AMC agency. The system integrator will assist the AMC agency in executing maintenance work. Any discrepancies identified by the AMC agency during maintenance should be addressed by the system integrator.
• From the 12th month onward, the AMC work will officially commence, and the maintenance responsibilities will shift to the AMC agency, marking the system integrator’s exit from the project.
• By following these conditions, the system integrator ensures that the fire safety system is correctly designed, installed, tested, maintained, and operational, providing long-term safety and compliance for the client and building occupants.

Undertaking from Electronics and Software-Based Fire Safety Products Manufacturer :

• Electronics and software-based fire safety products are proprietary items that require specialized handling.
• The manufacturer is required to provide lifetime service support to ensure the system’s continued operation, with a minimum support period of five years from the date of commissioning.
• Given the rapid evolution of software and electronics, manufacturers are expected to provide upgrades as necessary. However, in certain instances, original or compatible spare parts may become unavailable, impacting the system’s functionality. In such cases, the manufacturer must manage obsolete parts and ensure continued support.
• As government codes, standards, and regulations evolve, the manufacturer is responsible for maintaining compliance with these changes, which may necessitate modifications and updates to the system to retain Fire NOC (No Objection Certificate) compliance.
• Although fire alarm installation contractors generally handle labor-intensive tasks, the manufacturer’s engineering support is critical for proper system setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Therefore, ongoing support from the manufacturer is essential to ensure the system’s optimal performance and continued compliance with all relevant standards.

Condition for Foreign OEMs

• When fire alarm products are sourced from foreign countries, the following challenges may arise:
• Any company that manufactures and supplies products for fire safety systems must provide service support for at least six years from the product’s manufacturing date.

1. Power of Attorney and Legal Representation
The foreign OEM must have an Indian representative who holds a valid power of attorney, authorizing them to act on behalf of the OEM in case of any legal disputes. If the representative leaves the company, an alternate representative with the required power of attorney must be appointed.

2. Legal Liability for Sales and Services
If a company acts as the manufacturer’s representative in India for sales and services, it becomes legally responsible for providing solutions and support, including ensuring the availability of products and addressing any system-related issues.

3. Compliance with Indian Law
Foreign sellers must comply with Indian laws, and any disputes shall be resolved through Indian courts in accordance with Indian legal provisions.