Re: Fire Alarm System Inspections. How and how much?

["Norm Mugford" <1alarm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Excellent comments Jim......I agree

Norm Mugford


"Jim Rojas" <jrojas@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:r2%4h.13419$q45.13335@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Before all the licensing and Nicet requirements, I use to do fire
> inspections for 200+ customers in my area. I followed NFPA guidelines to
> the letter, before anyone else in my area did. I charged a decent rate,
> $150 flat fee for a small daycare, ALF, etc...$300+ for an apt complex or
> small office complex...life was good.
>
> After I tallyed all the local fees, licensing, Nicet requirements and
> courses, etc...I decided that it was a huge waste of time trying to keep
> this going. I would have to triple my nominal $150 fee just to stay in
> business. Plus all the courses and useless continuing education classes
> that never end, made me feel like I was going back to school for the rest
> of my life. So I stopped doing fire altogether.
>
> Shortly afterwards, I stopped doing new burg installations, in favor of
> takeovers. Which makes more economic sense. Builders in my area expected
> me to do full prewires on new construction for $300, in hope that the
> homeowner would give me a bread crumb and have me complete the alarm
> installation for a $500 fixed fee. Then I find out the builders are
> reselling the $300 prewire for $1200-1500, and $3000-5000 for a completed
> system direct to the homeowner. So until a builder is required to carry an
> alarm license on such an upsell, I refuse to do them anymore.
>
> Afterall, licensed electrical contractors are now required to have a
> seperate fire license. For years these guys gave the industry a huge black
> eye with their shoddy installation practices. And even with these new
> guidelines, most electrical contractors in my area just don't have a clue.
> But, they have a license that says they do...go figure. I believe that if
> one person is required to have a license, so should they all. I mean all
> employees, service techs, sales perople...let's clean up this mess.
>
> Companies like Ranger Amercian, though they do excellent work for the most
> part, hurt the industry with their low ball prewires. Their employees earn
> close to minimum wage, no overtime, and must work 3 Saturdays a month.
> Most of them are foriegn immigrants, They are forced to drive their own
> vehicles, and are poorly compensated. I feel Ranger takes advantage of
> their situation, but that's my opinion. I believe that the state labor
> board already fined Ranger Amercian numerous times for violating state
> labor laws, but yet it still goes on...
>
> Thank you for letting me vent a bit.
>
> Jim Rojas
>
>
>
> "jewellfish" <jewellfish@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1163158022.553731.11660@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Sorry, but I am a bit confused. .  .are you a building owner looking to
>> have a facility inspected? or a person who wants to start doing fire
>> alarm inspections?
>>
>> If your a building owner, easist thing would be to call a couple
>> companies to get quotes (Fire Marshall in your area can probably give
>> you a few names.
>>
>> If your a alarm company owner and you are wanting to start doing fire
>> alarm inspections--Stop.  Hire someone who has, at least, a level 2
>> NICET certification in Fire alarm technologies.  You realize these are
>> LIFE-SAFETY systems.  You can't wake up one morning and decide "I'm
>> gonna start inspection fire alarms, today."
>>
>> If you still feel like this is something you want to do, memorize NFPA
>> 72.  Then, you will, at least, have an idea of what questions you need
>> to be asking.
>>
>> Cheers
>>
>> Paul Brewington wrote:
>>> What do you check for when doing a routine yearly inspection.   How do
>>> you price it out?   I have never done this and I now see the error of
>>> my ways.    I need to get a program started and would like some
>>> guidence.  Thanks PAul.
>>
>
>


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