Fire/Life Safety

The 2013 NFPA Convention & Expo was held June 10-13 in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of security systems installations gone wrong — sometimes with devastating and fatal consequences. Two in particular serve as departure points to review critical practices and grasp why wisdom trumps smarts.

Conscientious fire systems professionals realize they not only need to keep abreast of current codes and standards but also keep their ear to the ground to be prepared when requirements change. Cut through the din of hundreds of recent proposed ICC fire code changes with this overview of those that matter most.

In this video, Jack Poole, who is the principal for Poole Fire Protection, discusses the risk analysis required so that campuses install the appropriate mass notification system. Poole's presentation was at the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety on May 6 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Tom Connaughton is Director, Life Safety & Security Services, for Intertek, the product testing and certification firm. He joins the conversation to discuss trends and challenges in the fire/life-safety industry, as well as the codes adoption process.

Accurate recordkeeping is essential to be successful in any business enterprise, but for fire systems contractors it could be a matter of life or death. Brush up on the requirements and catch up on new additions to NFPA 72’s Documentation specifications.

Honeywell reshuffled its vaunted life-safety business and reached into its well of veteran talent to appoint a leader of a new umbrella organization. In an exclusive interview, Gary Lederer, explains his vision to keep the Titan-sized organization agile in reacting to customer needs within a vibrant marketplace. He also addresses industry trends and challenges, plus technologies that could one day alter the life-safety landscape.

Thanks to advances in electronics and microcomputers, fire/life-safety devices and systems have become one of the world’s best lifesaving success stories. And that story continues to unfold as manufacturers, standards-making bodies, system designers and installing contractors push for superior solutions. SSI’s eighth annual Fire Market Report provides the latest research to further the pursuit.

While the majority of homes have smoke detectors, most are standalone devices and only 15% have working carbon monoxide detectors. Thus there’s a huge untapped market for greater levels of homeowner protection and greater fire contractor profits. Learn how to make the compelling case for monitored system-connected fire/life-safety solutions.

High profile incidents are fueling greater demand than ever before for mass notification systems (MNS). Find out how new technologies, standards, designs, installation techniques and practices are helping fire/life-safety solution providers grow their MNS business and help clients better deal with emergencies. 

Getting people bombarded by today’s constant cacophony of sounds and stimuli to react to fire alarms with the urgency for which they were intended has become a critical challenge. Drawing their attention when it means the most demands providers strictly adhere to code and design and install systems to meet stringent requirements.

After a fire marshal placed the sports arena at Northwestern State University of Louisiana under fire watch, administrators took quick action to resolve the issue. A local fire systems provider came up with a temporary fix prior to renovating the facility with an advanced fire alarm and emergency communications system. 

Offering fire system inspections and compliance assurance not only elevates safety but delivers contractors a host of benefits. They include: increasing customer retention; uncovering upsell opportunities; making cash flow predictable and the business appealing to creditors/investors; reducing false alarms and ingratiating first responders; and increasing the enterprise’s long-term value.

Installing security and fire systems contractors too often leave the profits from selling service agreements for other competitors to procure from their clientele. Learn how marketing a service sales strategy can generate consistent recurring revenue from existing customers, as well create new ones

Fire/Life-safety pros and others headed to Chicago for the year’s top industry event have lots to consider planning their schedules. Check out the following guide for an overview of education and training sessions, plus learn about ancillary goings-on at the exhibit hall and elsewhere. 

It would be a business sin for any fire/life-safety installing company to pass up the opportunity to administer a service agreement to monitor a newly installed fire alarm system.

The Benefits of Verified Video Alarms
1172 views

How Tomographic Motion Detection Stops Thieves
1404 views

Ky. Integrator Donates Alarms to Schools
1514 views

June 14, 2013
The Joys of PSA-TEC 2013
6 photos

June 11, 2013
On the Show Floor at the 2013 NFPA Conference & Expo
15 photos

May 8, 2013
A Look at Thermal Imaging
6 photos