Siemens agrees to more training following fire marshal’s review

A company under investigation by the state fire marshal's office in connection with allegations of substandard maintenance of fire-detection systems in several local buildings has agreed to shape up its practices.

Siemens Industry Inc., formerly Siemens Building Technologies Inc., agreed to increase training for supervisors and review contracts with local companies. The company must report its findings to the fire marshal for verification.

"They're not admitting to any wrongdoing, but they're agreeing to make some changes," said State Fire Marshal Peter Mulvihill. "They have made internal corrections with management and staff."

The consent agreement was signed by Mulvihill on Oct. 15.

Siemens was accused of intentionally bypassing fire alarm circuitry to mask deficiencies, failing to conduct annual inspections and failing to make repairs in a timely matter. The state first began investigating Siemens almost four years ago.

Siemens won a multimillion-dollar contract to install fire systems at the CityCenter complex, but that job was not part of the state's investigation.

The inquiry's focus was the quality of Siemens' maintenance of fire systems at Charleston Retirement and Assisted Living; Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon on the Strip; The Galleria at Sunset, a Henderson shopping mall; and Laughlin's Edgewater and Colorado Belle hotels.

Systems at the locations have been repaired or are being repaired.

Mulvihill said the state could have sought to suspend or revoke Siemens' license in Nevada but was satisfied with the company's response to the allegations.

The conduct in Nevada was not indicative of the whole company, he said. Siemens is based in Illinois.

"I think Siemens has made substantial progress and improvements in operations, and I feel comfortable with the direction they're going," Mulvihill said.