That has to be scary, going to court and having people who have no idea of what happens on the job at 2:00AM, pass judgement on you and your company.
Question:
1. What were the qualifiction of the "expert witness"? training, experience? Most fire department personnel don't know anything about our trade. What about the engineer, same questions.
2. What was the condition of the exhaust system prior to the cleaning? Was the intreval appropriate, often enough. Was there old grease that was baked on?
3. Was the Ansul system UL 300 compliant? What were the dates on the links, did all of nozzles operate, had any appliances been changed since the last service and what were the qualifications of the service agency?
4. Was the exhaust system installed to code and what code?
5. Were access panels installed? Did they meet code?
Of course if there was a lousy job of cleaning, tough shit. That is one reason we are supposed to have insurance. Does any one know what reputation the cleaning company has/had. Did this put them out of businees??
Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Coof Eastern Oregon, Inc
