Fire Alarm Control Output Relays: Best Practices For Activating and Controlling Building Automation Systems

In today’s article we explain the how, what and why on fire alarm control relays. Only output functions will be covered. We will give an overview of input relays on another article in the coming weeks. Read more

The Manual Pull Station: Proper Use And Purpose For Your Commercial Fire Alarm System

Enter any high occupancy building in the country and you may have noticed a red box with the word “Fire” or “Fire Alarm” written on its front cover. You may have seen them, but do you know what their main purpose is and more importantly, how to use them? Read more

Are Some Print News Organizations Becoming Obsolete Because of This Practice?

Are print news media companies, such as the Houston Chronicle (owned by the Hearst Corporation) slowly ruining their business by putting their news content on line at a fraction of the cost to the consumer? This is a question I would like to address in today’s article. Read more

Is Your Fire Alarm Service Provider A “Real” Fire Alarm Company Or A Jack of All Trades?

In this article we discuss what you might call a “hybrid alarm systems” business model. These are companies that present themselves as being in the business of installing and servicing fire or security alarms as their primary business, but apparently many are suffering from some sort of identity crisis. Read more

How Local Outsourcing Can Help Keep Your Business Moving In The Right Direction… Even In Tough Economic Times

Has the recent news on the economy got you feeling down or tying your stomach up in knots? No need to fear.  In this article, we discuss how practically any company with limited staff can still be productive and stay competitive in the marketplace … even in a soured economy. Read more

How To Reduce Labor Costs On Every Fire Alarm Project And Beyond … Guaranteed!

Is the wiring phase of your fire alarm installation killing your overall profit margin? Do your service technicians spend more time tracing out wires than they should? Read more

Fire Prevention Tips For The Kitchen - How Safe Are You, Really?

Did you know, statistically, the risk of fire in the home is greater during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays than any other time of the year? In this article we examine potential fire hazards in the kitchen and what you can do to prevent them. Read more

Is Your Business Seeing Green? - Simple Things Your Business Can Do To Become More Earth-Friendly

With all the talk about helping our planet becoming a cleaner, healthier place to live over the past few years, many businesses are faced with new challenges when it comes to Read more

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) - The New Technology in Detecting Fires?

Although I have yet to find anything specific in the NFPA 72 concerning the usage of CCTV technology as a way of detecting smoke or even fires, I know from having spent many years in the security industry that CCTV could one day become a feasible solution. Read more

Photoelectric vs Ionization Smoke Detectors: What Are The Differences?

You know what a smoke detector is, but did you know there are different types of detectors? In today’s article, we’ll explain the differences between two of the most common smoke detectors used in both commercial and residential fire alarm applications. Read more

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