Re: DSC4020CF: Epilogue - changing UL standards

[Nomen Nescio <nobody@xxxxxxxxx>]

Buggs said:

>So it looks like the engineer nannies at DSC have disabled unattended
>downloading in the new s/w, v 3.54, once the panel detects the 4701 module.
>Yeah, I know you're not supposed to do it, but, well, I kind of like to make
>that decision myself. (The panel can still initiate a call if someone is at
>the keypad.)
>
>The funny part is that DSC tech support doesn't know it. Well, the booger
>eaters who answer the phone don't anyway. Nor did the "senior tech" I spoke
>with.
>
>Come to think of it, it's not that funny after all.
>
>No more DSC "fire" panels for me.

Don't blame DSC, except for their tech support not knowing what's going on.
UL is changing the rules, and this will soon be par for the course for all
UL listed fire panels.

As of December 31, 2008, initial programming or any subsequent
reprogramming of a fire panel will require someone at the panel to enter a
code first, either for local or remote programming.  The exceptions are
that receiver phone numbers can be changed remotely without someone at the
panel, and purely proprietary systems can be  remotely reprogrammed as
well.  That doesn't mean the manufacturers have to build in the ability to
change phone numbers remotely, but they can if they want to.

See UL 864, paragraph 54.2.4.

So the DSC engineers are just getting a head start on the new requirements.

- badenov