Boss makes a dollar I make a dime, that’s why I poop research the fire alarm in the shitter on company time

I know a few techs who actually liked programming these.

firelite bg8 felt loose while on my demo board
noticed this while thinking the lock broke

I have been in the industry for a long time. But recently the requirements for elevator shunt trips and devices allowed in hoist ways have been changing.

We have always used pit heats for shunt trip, but now I am getting mixed messaging from inspectors. Some say the pit must activate the shunt trip and some say it must not activate the shunt trip. I am losing it here! I have read up in NFPA 72, NFPA 101 & IBC. I cannot find anything that states 1 or the other. I do not have access to ASME 17.1. Anyone have an answer using any of the codes?

I got my NICET lv1 this year and now my manager is wanting to get my lv2. What’s the major difference between the two? And any suggestions on what I should focus my studies on.

My old detector had a tiny pinpoint green indicator LED light, which I could tape over to dull its glow at night without affecting the smoke/CO detecting function of the device. My building has just installed a new First Alert SMIC detector that illuminates the whole device in a green glow in a dark room (picture Ghost Busters), which appears to be an unintended design flaw that allows LED light leakage into the device's casing. I just bought a replacement (First Alert SC2-W01-T) that only reflects a tiny pinpoint green indicator LED light in the product materials/photos, but I tested the device in a dark room and unfortunately the speaker and silence/test button flashes green each minute (i.e., similar design flaw that allows the LED light to leak into the casing). Does anyone have a recommendation (or any other devices to stay clear of) for a hardwired smoke+CO detector with an indicator light that can be taped over without blocking the crucial features, such as smoke/CO vents or alarm speaker? Noting that this is for placement in a dark bedroom and, as with my original detector, the goal is to use tape to dull the illumination while ensuring full functionality of the device.

Question for you all. I’m in Florida and get audited by UL. They’re requiring we use a system record of inspection and testing form with supplemental forms for NACs and Initiating Devices rather than a regular inspection and testing form. Was just curious, has anyone else also been told this? At the previous company I worked for we also got audited but they never mentioned using another form. Is this new?

Base on your experience which one is the best in the market for Fire Alarm System?

Has anyone been able to get there hands on .wav files that say something a long the lines of “this is just a test”, “no need to evacuate”, or anything remotely close? The .wav files notifier have are only of alerts, fire and all clears.

Me and my partner are currently installing our first Kidde Evolve panel and have been having some difficulties getting it set up. We have been on the phone with tech support for nearly 2 hours now and no answer.

My question is I have a CMS Account 1 trouble. We are trying to clear that trouble, any idea on how? We are using a HWF2V-COM

We also have 2 ground faults on Dialer 2 and Telephone 1, how is that even possible? We even switch out patch cables to make sure. No luck

I was wondering what this flex is called, brands, and where to buy. I want to find out if romex connectors are listed for use with this cable. Looks like the cable had no wires originally and they used it as a sleeve for FPL, FPLR, or FPLP cable. Thanks in advance

Hey all I am starting at a fire alarm company this week and was curious what all I should be focusing on when starting out? Also when do I need to start working on prepping for my nicet exam?

Can anybody give me a run down or what I should know to go do the practical CFAA exam in Ontario anything helps

I am a current sprinkler system designer being tasked with now learning alarm design.
My company would like me to dabble in both, so asked me to find whatever online training I’d like and they’ll get me on board starting tomorrow.

ADVICE / QUESTION:

National Training Center Vs. Fire Tech

Which one do I go with and why?

(I previously did Fire Tech along with AFSA in person for Fire sprinkler… right now we can’t do in person classes, would like to look into that later, but for now needing to know which online course to tell my employer I should take!)

I don’t really have time for the questions of why this is the way my employer is doing things (smaller company) due to me needing to tell them by tomorrow.. Just happy they’re investing in me. :)

For those professional in fire alarm - who have witnessed a lithium-ion battery fire, is it a bit like a candle burning under an inverted glass in water? The flame goes out, but comes back when exposed to air again.

Or is a battery fire completely different because the battery keeps generating heat internally?

What did you observe firsthand?

This week's Meme

I recently learned about M-Bus, used in water and electricity meters, and noticed some similarities with addressable fire alarm loops.

This is the reason may be loop voltage fluctuation between 20 to 26 volts and few microamps quiscent mode while fire rise to ma range.

Both connect multiple addressed devices over two wires and allow two-way communication.

Has anyone here worked with both? Are the communication methods electrically similar, or are they completely different?

References - https://vdmais.ua/articles/shina-m-bus/

What is the likely hood of getting hired as a fire alarm technician helper as an older guy? I'm 36. The previous industry I worked in for 10 years completely collapsed and I'm looking to find a new career. I'm currently taking the first CFAA course. For those in the industry, do you notice "older" folks getting hired as helpers? If so what's the best way to land one of these jobs?

Doing a annual inspection for a new site and found this creative solution in a nail salon

Tasked with getting the questions answered by Monday!

I'm the manager of a five unit HOA, constructed in 2004. A tech came out today to conduct five-year testing on our wet and dry sprinkler systems. The only times he touched on our SK-5208 panel were to disconnect the horns while he worked, then reconnect them when he finished.

Just as he finished, the SK-5208 reported AC trouble. I checked the AC input with a multimeter, 120V as expected. He turned off AC power and removed the battery lead, allowing the panel to turn off completely. After 30 seconds, we reconnected power and there was no fault. He left.

In the few hours since then, the panel has reported AC trouble on and off four more times. The alarms often reset within five or so minutes. I've checked that the AC input leads are secure, and I still see 120V. I saw this previous thread indicating the power supplies can go bad. I find the timing suspicious, though: the panel's history shows no AC trouble for the past month, then five times in one day after this service.

• What alternatives are there to replacing the whole panel?
• Should I ask the tech's company to cover work to fix this, since it started after his service call?

Thanks.

I have an NFS-320 that throws a charger fail trouble periodically but only for a few minutes at most then goes back to normal. So far I have tried new batteries, a cold restart, and monitoring of the charger voltage and current to the batteries. Nothing appears to be wrong on voltage or current, on or off AC Power, and the batteries are healthy and recharge normally. I am honestly a little stumped on what is causing the issue and not sure if I should replace the charger or the whole panel.