On Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:41:13 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

This is all fine and good until something goes wrong. A
well-known UK
ISP had all this in place in one of their datacentres.
Unfortunately,
their diesel generator's exhaust vented into the street. A
passing
member of the public thought the exhaust fumes were smoke and
called
the fire brigade, who turned up and told the operators to shut
everything down.

"There's no fire here Mr. Fire Brigade man. Now f* off."

By all means try to reason with them, but be aware of

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004...#pt6-pb1-l1g44

"(3) A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he
obstructs or interferes with an employee of a fire and rescue
authority taking action authorised under this section. "

Telling Mr Fireman to "f* off" wouldn't work but letting them in and
showing that there is no fire so the fire officer can't "reasonably
believe[s] a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out, for
the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting
life or property;". Which means he loses his right to do and go where
ever he desires using any means at his disposal.

--
Cheers
Dave.