Show All Answers

1. What is The Compliance Engine (TCE)?

The Compliance Engine (TCE) is a simple, web-based service used to track the servicing of fire protection systems to drive code compliance, reduce false alarm activity, and provide a safer community. Redmond Fire Prevention began using this system in 2017 as a method of tracking the performance of required inspections for all fire protection systems (such as Fire Alarm, Hood Suppression, Sprinkler, Private Fire Hydrant, Spray booth, etc.). 

This service sends renewal, deficient, and overdue notices automatically to your business contact or responsible party. After the contractor completes their routine fire protection inspections, they must submit all reports to TCE. Your business will be out of compliance until the fire protection contractor submits the report in TCE. Also, the contractor is responsible for submitting any repair reports that they have completed. If a routine inspection was conducted or a repair was made and you are still receiving these notices, please contact your fire protection contractor to make sure they have submitted the information to TCE in a timely manner. If you have further questions regarding TCE or notices that you are receiving, please contact the systems reliability program coordinator. To register for a TCE account, please visit the TCE website at www.thecomplianceengine.com.

2. How do I register for a TCE account?

Please be advised that as of January 1, 2017, Redmond Fire, along with several other jurisdictions in the metro Seattle area, have begun to use a new system, The Compliance Engine (http://www.thecomplianceengine.com), for receiving our confidence test reports. All confidence test reports are required to be submitted through this system. 

To submit the report, you will need to register an account with the system. To do so, please click the Register link at the top of The Compliance Engine’s website. From there, follow the prompts for account creation. Please note that the information being asked for during the registration process is for a designated company administrator; you will be given the opportunity to set up additional users after the administrator’s account has been created. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office for additional assistance! 

3. What does The Compliance Engine cost?

Accounts with The Compliance Engine are free. The Compliance Engine charges the contractor a $37 filing fee per report, per site. 

For example, a warehouse with one sprinkler system ($37 report submission fee), one fire alarm system* ($37 report submission fee), and one hood suppression system ($37 report submission fee) pays a total of $111 in report submission fees. 

• If your contractor uploads the report 15 days after the inspection, they are assessed a $10.00 late fee.  
• If your contractor uploads the report 31 or more days after the inspection, they are assessed a $20.00 late fee. 
• If the fire system is tested 31-60 days after renewal, there will be a late testing fee of $25 assessed when the report is filed.
• If the fire system is tested 61+ days after renewal, there will be a late testing fee of $50 assessed when the report is filed.

*Fire alarm systems require an annual fire alarm operational permit, which is $100/per year. 

4. How can a contractor submit their report to TCE?

Inspection reports can only be submitted by contractors registered with TCE.  The following link provides access to TCE Training: TCE Training Link. On this site, you can request online training, or alternatively, reach The Compliance Engine directly by calling 630-413-9511 or support@mybrycer.com.

5. Can a business owner upload inspection reports to The Compliance Engine?

Unfortunately, business owners cannot submit inspection reports to TCE. In order to maintain the integrity of the system, it is necessary that only contractors submit inspection reports to TCE. Please note that contractors are required to also provide inspection reports to property owners, in addition to uploading the report to TCE.  

6. Why do I receive automatic notices?

In an effort to stay proactive, The Compliance Engine automatically sends out renewal, deficient, and overdue notices to keep business owners or property managers informed of the status of their fire protection systems.  These automated notices are a requirement from Redmond Fire Prevention, as we want all responsible parties informed when actions are required on their respective fire and life safety systems.  If you would like to be added or taken off a property address, please e-mail firesystems@redmond.gov. TCE retains records under property addresses and property business names. If you have several properties that you manage or are no longer responsible for within the City of Redmond, please report said properties via e-mail so that we can update our records.

7. Can I e-mail, fax, or mail the confidence test reports to Redmond Fire?

Confidence test reports can no longer be submitted directly to the Redmond Fire Department. Confidence Test reports are required to be uploaded to The Compliance Engine website by the contractor that performed the service.

8. Why is my report still listed as "open"?

A report in an “Open” status means it has not been fully submitted and is not visible to Redmond Fire Prevention. Your contractor will need to access their "Open/Rejected Reports" and click on the RN number. Then the contractor will need to select “Submit to AHJ”.  There is an overnight billing process that will delay the status from changing from the “Open” status.  If the status still remains open, then it is likely that Redmond Fire Prevention rejected the report or the contractor’s form of payment was declined.  Either way, the report will need to be reviewed and submitted by your contractor.

9. Do I have to use the same contractor to make repairs?

The contractor that performed the inspection, testing, or maintenance may observe issues and list them as deficiencies on your inspection report. This will result in a deficiency notice being sent to the responsible party and Redmond Fire Prevention. Contact the contractor directly regarding deficiencies. It is acceptable for the repairs to be completed by a different contractor from the one that performed the initial inspection.* After the deficiencies are corrected, a “deficiency repair” report needs to be uploaded to TCE by the contractor that corrected the deficiency.

*Fire alarm repairs require a letter of authorization from the prime contractor listed on the fire alarm operational permit to perform any work on the fire alarm system. 

10. Can I have an extension to repair deficiencies?

An extension is dependent on the severity of the deficiency. Any deficiencies that impact the operation or activation of a fire protection system need to be corrected as soon as possible. A fire violation penalty may be issued by Redmond Fire Prevention if the deficiency is not addressed in a timely manner. Any extensions do need to be reviewed and approved by Fire Prevention staff.

11. I am a building owner or property manager. How do I access my reports?

Please e-mail firesystems@redmond.gov to obtain a secure access code. This access code will allow you to log onto The Compliance Engine website and view any fire reports associated with your premise.

12. What is the penalty for non-compliance?

Redmond Fire will issue fire violation fees until the reports or deficiencies have been addressed. The fees will increase in cost if not addressed in a timely manner, starting at $100 and increasing to $250 dollars with each inspection notice.