Is there anything illegal about replacing components in an existing fire alarm system with previously used parts?
I can’t speak to the second question because I don’t represent ULC, but I can speak to the issue of employing parts harvested from a fire alarm panel for use in another (of similar model and manufacture). There are several provisos that we must address in order to properly answer this question. First of all, you must realize that it is illegal for anyone other than manufacturer trained personnel to make board level repairs. In other words you cannot under any circumstances replace soldered components that form (or make up) a common control mother board or any plug-in modules, rail expanders, or chassis. Such repairs can only be conducted at the factory under the strictest supervision and control. There are many instances where fire service providers can successfully harvest plug-in modules and circuit boards from an old system for re-use in another – the most obvious being where a building owner has elected to upgrade to a new system and scrap the existing unit. Many plug in modules ma
