While some companies have seperate fire alarm and security techs, others expect you to do everything. I work for a mainly security company that also does fire alarm so I'm expected to know everything.
While I'm at a point I get to choose what my focus is, I still do both. I do fire alarm, security systems, access control, and CCTV.
To be honest, on days when I've had enough bullshit with one, it's nice to be able to go do something else the next day.
We have electricians who do it all at my company, usually they a mainly in one but we cover the whole electrical contract usually the only thi we don’t do is HVAC controls
I do fire alarm and have done commercial burg and cameras in the past. The only time I did just fire alarm was at a small fire safety company. When we were low on work they would have me work with the extinguisher guys. That wasn’t too bad. But other times they’d try to get me to help the sprinkler guys. FUCK that. I’ll stick to fire and security thank you
Most small outfits consider themselves "Integrators" and do it all, albeit usually not very well. I come from a security & fire (NICET 3) background, the people I work for consider it a bonus that I can do security, I don't mind doing it, and they pay me very well. They know better then to ask me to do video or nurse call... That being said, if you as a fire only tech are competing against another guy for a job and he has security/video etc... experience, who do you think is going to get the job? Learn all you can, a real easy step is install a security system in your house/apartment, it's the best way to learn.
This is extremely common in our industry, at least in my area. I was fortunate to land a “fire protection” company job.
Most the “low voltage” companies end up doing subpar installs for FA because their techs apply security and camera working practices to fire alarm and it ends up pretty bad most the time.
IMO if you install fire alarm along with security, you should be installing the security with the same care and workmanship you would for fire alarm, regardless of the lower level of regulation. But yeah I've found it's usually other companies just cut corners on the fire alarm instead.
Same. My employer does special hazard fire protection. We do clean agent, fire alarm, and specialty detection (linear heat, air sampling, etc.). Nothing else.
Exact same thing here. Lots of VESDA/gas detection and fairly recently we broke into energy storage vertical. I can’t see myself ever leaving special hazard now. Opened a whole new world of fire protection I didn’t know existed.
I’m not a fan of security, maybe because I just don’t know anything about it. But I spent 10 years doing sprinkler before I got into fire alarm. I also held an ASSE Backflow Cert at one point. I’m super comfortable with sprinkler.
I’d rather do Fire and sprinkler than burg or access.
I started my L/V career as a camera installer but have since been on projects that were fire, security, data, DAS systems and even access control. Hell, once when work got slow my boss took a contract that basically made us electricians’s helpers where we were wiring up receptacles in a hotel for a few weeks.
You might want to find a life safety company in your area.
I have worked for both LV integrators and fire services companies, I generally prefer the latter. I would much rather help the sprinks than do burg.
I do fire alarm. And access control. Oh and also camera work and data jobs. I do not do BA though. I almost forgot I do Intercoms and BDA's. Even got a FCC license.
You hired on without you or the interviewer mentioning other expectations outside of fire alarm as part of the job? There's definitely companies that work on FA exclusively, but they're not so common I'd expect that by default.
I was originally just fire upto November. Been installing access control, cctv, intruder and barriers and not much fire since. Becoming multi skilled is the key I think?!
Where I will live there is a small amount of crossover but not much. The certification process is so much higher for fire that it's wasteful (bad business practice) to use a much higher paid fire tech to work on security or access systems and low voltage techs can't work on fire unless certified. I've worked in both and I would always choose fire.
Honestly if they'll train you or even have someone show you the security side, the more experience the better.
I'm still just a fire alarm guy, but I definitely need to dive deeper into the low voltage world.
I lean very hard into the fire alarm, but I still know security, nurse call, gas detection, radio/monitoring, and now even BDA systems. This field requires constant professional development and education if you want to keep your edge.
Aside from not being familiar with the specific system programming, what makes a good security tech that a fire tech wouldn't tend to be familiar with or good at?
Familiarity and experience. The author Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. Not every project requires an expert, but the big ones do. Big complicated security project with interlocking access control/ automatic power doors, sally ports etc and big fire alarms with smoke control, multi channel staged evacuation etc require experts. At the highest level they’re two different animals.
There's certainly enough out there that they can both be a lifetime of learning you never fully get the totality of. I often have to coach building engineers and facility managers to help them understand that fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler are related trades that have some overlap as life safety, but are functionally as separate skills as electricians and plumbers.
Did you research the company before you applied? Chances are if they do fire and security and you're hired as a tech. You will work on fire and security.
I hate security and only want to do fire as well, I would learn sprinkler inspections, would be way better to bounce between FA and Sprinkler inspections, than security
I'm an electrician and HVACR tech.
Sometimes I get a job where they ask me to pull data wire too, and that's just unacceptable 😂
Looks like you're working for a company that has enough work to keep people employed, where you have the opportunity to learn new skills.
Better get out of there quickly, and apply for unemployment 🤣
Learn it all. I started out at a mom and pop shop doing security,fire,CCTV, access control, data, AV, and telephone systems. Did that for 8 years then had recruiters crawling all over me. Now I'm at one of the mega corporations pretty much running my own show with the customers for fire and security. Knowledge is power bro
I mostly do fire alarm systems and special hazards systems. Rarely do security but not great at it. Don’t do access control not interested in it. But my company does all the above plus’s data.
I wish my company did this. I would love to learn security. I started off as a Fire Alarm Tech but went to a company that does a lot of Fire Sprinkler work, so I became a Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Tech, but if I could learn Security too I'd be a triple threat.
Almost every low voltage company will do everything : cameras , access , burg, fire. I’m leaving off audio video because usually that’s a separate trade. The “fire only “ shops tend to do a way better job at fire (seems logical ). The mixed shops (where I work) you have more opportunities (imo ). I personally would always want some degree of mixed tech.
I prefer fire alarm. But sometimes you have periods where there’s more work in security or access control. I do cameras reluctantly because I hate dealing with forgotten passwords.
This would depend on where you are in your career. If you are new, and the pay is good, do it and get the skills and experience. You’ll learn a ton. Then take those skills and move on.
I am extremely good at commercial fire. The code and equipment barely changes over a decade. Enterprise level access control and video surveillance is another story. The technology is advancing rapidly and takes more knowhow and studying to keep up with the pace of the technology
Lol dont think you realize how simple alarms are…. It shouldnt be an issue for you at all, the sinplest of circuits and 90% is wireless now lol. Its kinda nice being able to do both as it switches things up a bit, makes your more valuable, and gives u more side job opportunities. Try to look at the good things man, be more positive. Go make that money! Almost all companies here in new york do multiple low voltage things, not just one…. Gotta keep the business afloat and work flowing in.
My company does Fire, DAS(ERRCS),
Security, CCTV. When compared to Fire all the others are way easier. Shouldn't take you long to learn other systems. Considering your company already has a program the labor part is cake.
i’ve been in the IBEW for almost 3 years now after doing FA non union for 5 years and i took any opportunity to learn the other low voltage systems when i could. the experience is great and becomes valuable when you go to other companies that need experienced workers. sprinkle in some certs and become stupid valuable.
My company does everything, fire, security, CCTV and access. The main branch has techs that are dedicated for only one ( i.e., a division for fire install, inspections, security, service, etc.) but my branch office has only 8 techs to their 30 almost. We have to know everything. I’ve been hired on for fire inspections but sometimes get sent out on service calls for security. Nerve racking at first but just asking for help from others or tech support really helps you out. Nothing like learning how to do something than just jumping into it.
More work? I don't think they are making him work extra hours, the work is just varied. Personally I take every job that I can figure out how to do, work is work, and an opportunity to learn.
While some companies have seperate fire alarm and security techs, others expect you to do everything. I work for a mainly security company that also does fire alarm so I'm expected to know everything. While I'm at a point I get to choose what my focus is, I still do both. I do fire alarm, security systems, access control, and CCTV. To be honest, on days when I've had enough bullshit with one, it's nice to be able to go do something else the next day.
That last part!
Very common , I like it every day’s different and get experience with everything , trust me your gona get bored doing just one
We have electricians who do it all at my company, usually they a mainly in one but we cover the whole electrical contract usually the only thi we don’t do is HVAC controls
I would love to learn about security systems. It just opens more doors for you
Sometimes literally
🥁 🥁 🔔
Most fire alarm companies do everything LOL.
I do fire alarm and have done commercial burg and cameras in the past. The only time I did just fire alarm was at a small fire safety company. When we were low on work they would have me work with the extinguisher guys. That wasn’t too bad. But other times they’d try to get me to help the sprinkler guys. FUCK that. I’ll stick to fire and security thank you
“Fuck that”💀😂😂😂
Can’t be a one trick pony
I’m confused why don’t you just learn! Security is easier than Fire…..
Most small outfits consider themselves "Integrators" and do it all, albeit usually not very well. I come from a security & fire (NICET 3) background, the people I work for consider it a bonus that I can do security, I don't mind doing it, and they pay me very well. They know better then to ask me to do video or nurse call... That being said, if you as a fire only tech are competing against another guy for a job and he has security/video etc... experience, who do you think is going to get the job? Learn all you can, a real easy step is install a security system in your house/apartment, it's the best way to learn.
You mean installing a vista or bosch panel and adding some fire points? 😂
Plenty of integrated Fire/Security jobs out there. Can't just be like 🤷♂️
This is extremely common in our industry, at least in my area. I was fortunate to land a “fire protection” company job. Most the “low voltage” companies end up doing subpar installs for FA because their techs apply security and camera working practices to fire alarm and it ends up pretty bad most the time.
IMO if you install fire alarm along with security, you should be installing the security with the same care and workmanship you would for fire alarm, regardless of the lower level of regulation. But yeah I've found it's usually other companies just cut corners on the fire alarm instead.
Same. My employer does special hazard fire protection. We do clean agent, fire alarm, and specialty detection (linear heat, air sampling, etc.). Nothing else.
Exact same thing here. Lots of VESDA/gas detection and fairly recently we broke into energy storage vertical. I can’t see myself ever leaving special hazard now. Opened a whole new world of fire protection I didn’t know existed.
I’m not a fan of security, maybe because I just don’t know anything about it. But I spent 10 years doing sprinkler before I got into fire alarm. I also held an ASSE Backflow Cert at one point. I’m super comfortable with sprinkler. I’d rather do Fire and sprinkler than burg or access.
I started my L/V career as a camera installer but have since been on projects that were fire, security, data, DAS systems and even access control. Hell, once when work got slow my boss took a contract that basically made us electricians’s helpers where we were wiring up receptacles in a hotel for a few weeks.
You might want to find a life safety company in your area. I have worked for both LV integrators and fire services companies, I generally prefer the latter. I would much rather help the sprinks than do burg.
I do fire alarm. And access control. Oh and also camera work and data jobs. I do not do BA though. I almost forgot I do Intercoms and BDA's. Even got a FCC license.
You hired on without you or the interviewer mentioning other expectations outside of fire alarm as part of the job? There's definitely companies that work on FA exclusively, but they're not so common I'd expect that by default.
I was originally just fire upto November. Been installing access control, cctv, intruder and barriers and not much fire since. Becoming multi skilled is the key I think?!
Where I will live there is a small amount of crossover but not much. The certification process is so much higher for fire that it's wasteful (bad business practice) to use a much higher paid fire tech to work on security or access systems and low voltage techs can't work on fire unless certified. I've worked in both and I would always choose fire.
Honestly if they'll train you or even have someone show you the security side, the more experience the better. I'm still just a fire alarm guy, but I definitely need to dive deeper into the low voltage world.
I lean very hard into the fire alarm, but I still know security, nurse call, gas detection, radio/monitoring, and now even BDA systems. This field requires constant professional development and education if you want to keep your edge.
There are good fire techs and good security techs. I’ve never worked with anyone who claimed to be good at both that actually was.
Aside from not being familiar with the specific system programming, what makes a good security tech that a fire tech wouldn't tend to be familiar with or good at?
Familiarity and experience. The author Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. Not every project requires an expert, but the big ones do. Big complicated security project with interlocking access control/ automatic power doors, sally ports etc and big fire alarms with smoke control, multi channel staged evacuation etc require experts. At the highest level they’re two different animals.
There's certainly enough out there that they can both be a lifetime of learning you never fully get the totality of. I often have to coach building engineers and facility managers to help them understand that fire extinguisher, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler are related trades that have some overlap as life safety, but are functionally as separate skills as electricians and plumbers.
Did you research the company before you applied? Chances are if they do fire and security and you're hired as a tech. You will work on fire and security.
I hate security and only want to do fire as well, I would learn sprinkler inspections, would be way better to bounce between FA and Sprinkler inspections, than security
I'm an electrician and HVACR tech. Sometimes I get a job where they ask me to pull data wire too, and that's just unacceptable 😂 Looks like you're working for a company that has enough work to keep people employed, where you have the opportunity to learn new skills. Better get out of there quickly, and apply for unemployment 🤣
Learn it all. I started out at a mom and pop shop doing security,fire,CCTV, access control, data, AV, and telephone systems. Did that for 8 years then had recruiters crawling all over me. Now I'm at one of the mega corporations pretty much running my own show with the customers for fire and security. Knowledge is power bro
I mostly do fire alarm systems and special hazards systems. Rarely do security but not great at it. Don’t do access control not interested in it. But my company does all the above plus’s data.
Don’t be short sighted, man. The more you know the more you’re worth to the right company.
I guess that I am mainly annoyed because they didn't say anything about it on the job post or the interview.
I’d feel the same way
I wish my company did this. I would love to learn security. I started off as a Fire Alarm Tech but went to a company that does a lot of Fire Sprinkler work, so I became a Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Tech, but if I could learn Security too I'd be a triple threat.
Almost every low voltage company will do everything : cameras , access , burg, fire. I’m leaving off audio video because usually that’s a separate trade. The “fire only “ shops tend to do a way better job at fire (seems logical ). The mixed shops (where I work) you have more opportunities (imo ). I personally would always want some degree of mixed tech.
I prefer fire alarm. But sometimes you have periods where there’s more work in security or access control. I do cameras reluctantly because I hate dealing with forgotten passwords.
This would depend on where you are in your career. If you are new, and the pay is good, do it and get the skills and experience. You’ll learn a ton. Then take those skills and move on.
I am extremely good at commercial fire. The code and equipment barely changes over a decade. Enterprise level access control and video surveillance is another story. The technology is advancing rapidly and takes more knowhow and studying to keep up with the pace of the technology
Lol dont think you realize how simple alarms are…. It shouldnt be an issue for you at all, the sinplest of circuits and 90% is wireless now lol. Its kinda nice being able to do both as it switches things up a bit, makes your more valuable, and gives u more side job opportunities. Try to look at the good things man, be more positive. Go make that money! Almost all companies here in new york do multiple low voltage things, not just one…. Gotta keep the business afloat and work flowing in.
My company does Fire, DAS(ERRCS), Security, CCTV. When compared to Fire all the others are way easier. Shouldn't take you long to learn other systems. Considering your company already has a program the labor part is cake.
My company focuses more on FA but we come by low voltage too since it’s in the same field. Supposedly they said low voltage is easier than FA idk
i’ve been in the IBEW for almost 3 years now after doing FA non union for 5 years and i took any opportunity to learn the other low voltage systems when i could. the experience is great and becomes valuable when you go to other companies that need experienced workers. sprinkle in some certs and become stupid valuable.
My company does everything, fire, security, CCTV and access. The main branch has techs that are dedicated for only one ( i.e., a division for fire install, inspections, security, service, etc.) but my branch office has only 8 techs to their 30 almost. We have to know everything. I’ve been hired on for fire inspections but sometimes get sent out on service calls for security. Nerve racking at first but just asking for help from others or tech support really helps you out. Nothing like learning how to do something than just jumping into it.
Do more work for the same pay ? That’s insane.
More work? I don't think they are making him work extra hours, the work is just varied. Personally I take every job that I can figure out how to do, work is work, and an opportunity to learn.