Fire Alarm System Installations Will Never Improve No Matter How Many Rules and Certifications a Technician Must Have Until a Practical Hands-On Test is Part of the Certification.

One of the big things now going across the country is for Fire Alarm Technicians to be certified to NICET II level. After investigating the training and seeing what it takes to get certified as NICET II I was very disappointed in the fact the test is tightly timed, covers area’s not really needed anymore by most technicians, and there is no hands-on testing. It proves absolutely nothing when it comes to doing the job correctly. Anyone can read a book, memorize questions, take a test, and get certified and have absolutely no idea how to go about properly hooking up a Fire Alarm. It proves itself every time I investigate a non functioning system and a NICET II individual was supposedly involved.

A candidate must produce documentation of work experience for the level test they are taking but the problem is that the people they are working for are not doing the job correctly in the first place. It is the old story, "I have been doing fire Alarm work for 30 years fine and dandy", but have you been doing it correctly. The answer in most cases is NO. Just because you have installed systems in every jurisdiction around and had them passed proves nothing either because often times the persons inspecting the alarms have less knowledge than the person installing them. UL and FM certified requires being able to show ability because you

must have so many systems installed and inspected to show your company can do them correctly. But the certification is not to the individual, just to the company, and it only takes one person not knowing what they are doing to screw something up. I have seen Burglar Alarm systems where a UL certificate was issued and it did not meet UL standards. So what is the answer to insuring proper installs are being done?

It takes an all around effort. First all individuals should have the certification not just the company. Any test must include a practical hands-on test of hooking up fire alarm devices correctly and showing several different setups to prove your knowledge to install to proper electrical and fire codes which includes NEC 70 NFPA72 NFPA101 and IBC Codes where enforced.

When I went to electrical school I had to install several different electrical services and switch and light and motor setups using several different wiring types and set ups. These Included using Romex, conduit, and various flexible cables such as BX and Greenfield. I had to show I was using all the proper fittings, boxes, straps etc and grounding was properly done. I also had to show proper wiring size calculations and connectors and finally power was turned on to prove it was all hooked up correctly and the fuse or breaker did not blow.

Then when I did an electrical install an inspector who himself was or is still working as an electrician came and inspected the work. First a rough wiring inspection to make sure proper wiring and install techniques were being used and circuits were properly sized . Then a final inspection where breaker panels are opened as well as electrical outlets and junction boxes and wiring splices and connections were checked for tightness and proper connectors. Boxes were also check to make sure they were not overloaded and grounded correctly.

When proper install and inspection of electrical wiring and components are properly done the chance of problems are very much diminished and or eliminated. This is the way it should also be for fire alarm systems, sprinklers, kitchen hood systems and all other fire related skills. But as long as NFPA and UL keeps pushing for testing which does not require hands-on practical skills, all the certifications in the world will mean nothing other than you read a book and under stood it.

I could go out get the best manual there is on brain surgery and pass every written question any doctor would ask me but does that qualify me to due surgery on your brain? Think about it, until we get serious in this country with proper training of fire installers and those who inspect the systems we will continue to have problems of systems not working when required and it happens more often than you think.

Article written by:
Nick Markowitz Jr
Fire Inspector

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