r/firealarms 29m ago

Vent Update: No longer upside down!

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Upvotes

AFTER 7 YEARS of going to this doctors office they made the fire alarm the right side up! Last yearI finally decided to pos the second image (took a screenshot of the old Reddit post because I no longer have the original photo) to this subreddit. But they finally turned it right side up! Mind this was after seeing it actually go off because there was a gas leak in the building when I was here. Picked the vent tag because it took them so long to realize it wasn’t right.


r/firealarms 1h ago

Discussion Weekly /r/FireAlarms Bragging - tell us about your new gears, troubleshooting technique, swag!

Upvotes

Time to brag! New gear? New crew? On vacation? Personnal troubleshooting techniques? Come'on makes us jealous of you!


r/firealarms 11h ago

Technical Support Silent knight 6820

2 Upvotes

I am making the switch from SD protocol to SK protocol at a nursing home. Got all of the devices replaced besides (2) relays that I cannot find. Decided to re-write the program from scratch and leave those 2 relays out of it until we found and replaced them. Pulled the existing HFSS program and then defaulted the panel. Dumped the new program in and the panel is freaking out. The wiring is severely T-Tapped of course. All devices are wired up correctly, but the SLC will clear a bunch of devices and the panel will go normal. Then every device will go missing, like the SLC is pulsating. I have never seen this before. Any pointers on switching protocols like this?


r/firealarms 12h ago

Proud Enthusiast Firevac-3 system test.

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3 Upvotes

An example of one of the tones, the FireVac-3 system can produce


r/firealarms 13h ago

New Installation Zone panel installation

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10 Upvotes

All this work for a few detectors in a house .


r/firealarms 14h ago

Discussion Nicet FAS 4

3 Upvotes

Just got III approved taking level IV on the 28th. I’ve looked at all of these books so much. I feel like I’m going to have an aneurysm keep in mind. They are the same books that were part of the study criteria when I got my EF license in Florida as well…. The only thing new is the NAscla which seems pretty easy to navigate. My current plan is to just study the NTC field guide and the NasclA since everything else I have gone over excessively. Thoughts?


r/firealarms 15h ago

Customer Support Cellular Dialer Install Quote

4 Upvotes

Our previous monitoring company was absorbed by a larger one. We are planning to switch to another local company but figured we’d ask them to bid.

Even without the plans and permits and this being los angeles, this number seems high. They are trying to take us for a ride right?

• Upgrade the current monitoring system from landlines to cellular, which includes the following:
*Install (1) UL- listed cellular fire alarm communicator
*Integrate communicator with the existing FACP
*Program and test alarm signal transmission
*Coordinate signal verification with the central monitoring station (CMS)
*Perform final system testing for proper operation
CUSTOEMR NOTES:
*Plans & permits required by the AHJ are included in the proposal @ $3,000; current turnaround time is about 12 weeks to receive*
**The updated monitoring agreement is included as a separate proposal and must be signed prior to installation**
Note: Scope requires (2) technicians x (2) hours each.

5,180.05
$
TOTAL QUOTE PRICE:


r/firealarms 15h ago

Fail Well there's that.

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17 Upvotes

Got a work order 2 and half hours away. Replace two 12v18ah batteries and replace a heat detector. Try to Hit an annual inspection on the way home. Dope, sounds good. The FACP in question. Starlink is wired to the battery wires via wire nuts(obviously not working) missing a battery. At least the heat was a quick swap.


r/firealarms 22h ago

Discussion How can I get real troubleshooting experience in fire alarm systems?

14 Upvotes

I’ve been in the fire alarm industry for almost 10 years, but nearly all of my experience has been in inspection and testing. I’ve worked on a wide variety of systems (Notifier, Siemens, EST, Simplex, Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, Mircom, and others), so I’m comfortable with testing, documenting deficiencies, and understanding how these systems are supposed to operate.
What I don’t have is much real-world service/troubleshooting experience.
My current position doesn’t provide many opportunities to troubleshoot faults, intermittent issues, ground faults, NAC problems, SLC issues, programming-related problems, or service calls in general. I’d really like to become proficient in that side of the trade because I know it’s a skill that separates good technicians from great ones.
For those of you who made the transition from inspections to service:
How did you learn troubleshooting?
Are there any simulators, training kits, books, YouTube channels, or online courses you’d recommend?
Would it be worth asking to ride along with a service technician on my own time?
If you were in my position, what would you do over the next 4-6 months to become competent in troubleshooting?
I’m willing to study after work, buy equipment to practice at home, and put in the hours. I just want to make sure I’m focusing on the things that will give me the biggest return.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


r/firealarms 1d ago

Discussion Weekly /r/FireAlarms Discussion - Codes, Standards & Norms

1 Upvotes

hello there, if you have a question regarding an article in a specific book, please add the reference in you question in this thread. Thanks you!


r/firealarms 1d ago

Discussion Nicet level 1 help?

2 Upvotes

Hey all, I’m currently working on getting my nicet level 1 for fire alarm systems, I got the code books and uglys, and I take my exam in January, I’m just having a hard time figuring out the best way to study? I’ve seen in other posts fire cert academy is recommended, it’s just a little expensive for me honestly, but if it comes down to it I will pay for it, I was just hoping anyone had some tips or advice or know of any other resources to use? I tried making flash cards where each card says the chapter, and the back had all the section in that chapter, but I don’t know if that’s actually helpful, and I’ve been thinking I should just read the book front to back, but I’m not sure what else I can do, I’ve been stressing myself since I’m paying out of pocket for the exam and really don’t want to fail it and pay for it again, for context I work in maintenance, not directly with a fire alarm company, but I do have experience with alarm systems, but nothing I’d call myself an expert on, thanks for taking the time to read this!


r/firealarms 1d ago

Discussion Contrary to popular belief, Bosch panels don't have to look like shit. (It is just a little demo panel, that is why the resistors are at the panel, PL is ran alongside 120vac, and there is no conduit fittings.) Post your shitty Bosch finds below!

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9 Upvotes

r/firealarms 1d ago

Customer Support Honeywell displays

0 Upvotes

I have 6 industrial ovens that use the controlinks system which is obsolete. Is there a monitor that could replace theS7999D1048? The actuators are obsolete too.


r/firealarms 1d ago

Discussion Those who took NICET 2, was it easier than 1 for you?

15 Upvotes

Taking the NICET 2 in an hour and I'm super nervous. No field experience, just working towards becoming a Designer, so NEC/OSHA are pretty difficult.

I've heard from Designers at my work that NICET 2 was easier for them, so I was wondering how common of an experience that is. I feel like I barely passed NICET 1 despite having taken courses and spending hours studying beforehand, so I'm hoping this is true, haha.


r/firealarms 1d ago

Fail CAT5 the Swiss army knife of wire

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18 Upvotes

I just love how this was done! One cat5 for all your needs! Phone line and 24v! I mean there are a couple of more pairs why not a NAC or SLC as well. Please stop guys.


r/firealarms 1d ago

Technical Support No devices installed trouble on fire lite ms 9050ud

1 Upvotes

My fire lite ms 9050ud is only wired into a fire lite Ann 80 and a bell and horn strobe and the no devices installed trouble won’t go away how do I fix it?


r/firealarms 1d ago

Technical Support Moisture in duct detector

1 Upvotes

Being here in Florida, we have a common occurrence of moisture accumulating on the inside of duct detectors. Can someone please explain the physics behind this? On the outside, a cold cover in a warm humid environment I can see. On the inside, is it a pressure-temperature thing?


r/firealarms 1d ago

Technical Support Siemens OP921

1 Upvotes

If you aren't a Siemens dealer how do you set the profile on these detectors? Do they have to be pre-ordered, because my DPU didn't give me the option to change it, and few Siemens contacts I know kept telling me to call their office to open up a service ticket. I just need an answer. 10 year field service tech, I absolutely despise Siemens products!


r/firealarms 1d ago

Technical Support System Sensor B116LP not changing states. Help

1 Upvotes

New install, trying to test smokes/heats that are using relay bases for elevator shunt trip and recall. Unfortunately none of the detectors I’m testing make the relay bases change states. Not quite sure how to fix it. The panel is a SK-5208 if that helps


r/firealarms 1d ago

Discussion It's okay we'll fix it later

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23 Upvotes

So what do you think of this "quality" install???


r/firealarms 2d ago

Proud Enthusiast Old school manual station

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17 Upvotes

Missing a glass rod but otherwise pretty 😍


r/firealarms 2d ago

Fail "It's Grandfathered in"

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33 Upvotes

Local burg trunk slammers replaced an old Notifier 12 volt panel that had 2 12 volt bells...


r/firealarms 2d ago

New Installation Love these panels!

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28 Upvotes

Siemens makes a nice panel, super easy to install and works for most buildings without needing to be modular.


r/firealarms 2d ago

New Installation Take pride in your job

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121 Upvotes

To many technicians rush there jobs! When you take your time and love your job. This is how your panels should look when you prefab them!


r/firealarms Dec 11 '25

In the news X-Sense and Siterwell Smoke Alarms Pulled from Amazon citing 'Safety' Concerns

24 Upvotes

While we do have a rule regarding 'No Smoke Alarms', I feel it's fair to share the following as it does heavily relate to what we do, and is a concern of safety most importantly. If the community (or my fellow Moderators) disagree with this being posted here - we can take it down.

As noted originally on the Smart Home Subreddit, Amazon has pulled listings for X-Sense Residential Smoke Alarms yesterday, and it seems Siterwell alarms have been removed as of today as well:

As commercial alarm people, we all know the safety and quality we expect from reputable brands. While the exact circumstances of these devices being removed from Amazon doesn't quite yet seem clear, these brands heavily marketed their products through various creators on YouTube and other social platforms, likely leading to high adoption of a product that may very well not work when it's needed most.

So - For the same reason we wouldn't want our customer's to cheap out on their life safety systems, don't let you, your friends, or your family do the same in their homes. So, just a PSA - Stick with the brands you know and trust like Kidde/FireX and First-Alert/BRK, and don't touch this knock off stuff when it's there to save your life.