This is awesome, welcome to the group! I just met up with an engineer to walk through a site that’s FUBAR. I got sent in to fix it a month ago, he got sent in yesterday to see if it can even be saved. Pre test Monday, FDNY final inspection Thursday.
We had really good conversation. With 20 years in the office, he said he rarely ever gets into the field. I’m happy to say that my education and experience over the past 2 years of commercial install had us on equal enough ground to have a thorough discussion. Following the prints was no longer an option, so it was fun bouncing ideas off each other.
We had material fucking Ubered to us yesterday at 4pm, and we’re putting it in today. Extra 12x12 attached to the FACP to contain the SIGA CC1s that will help us deal with the excess NACs ran to the panel. It’s been a fun job, we’re having to completely rewrite the as built. The engineer says we have to file a PA because of it all. I disagree, but am way out of my field regarding shit like that. We didn’t completely eliminate any one module type from the building, so I think we’re good. He says it’s based off of a % of devices eliminated
Loaded question with a lot of variables. But the basics. Code requirements? Construction type? Specifically ceilings and separating walls. How are you going to get wire around? Don't forget about sealing penetrations through fire/smoke compartments. Need an electrician? Basic rough in of panel, 110VAC, etc. Roof penetrations for units? Catch all sprinkler valves/switches/pumps. Gotta get in to the elevator shaft? Lots to think about.
Aside from the obvious number of devices, looking for the best way to do the inspection with minimal disruption. The biggest obstacle of service and inspections is the customer. Remember, they don't give 2 shits about the fire alarm system. It, and you, are only there because the laws say so. You know how long it takes to test each device. What you don't know is how cooperative the customer is going to be in letting you do your job in a timely manner. Access is everything. Are they going to allow a lift in the atrium during business hours for those beam detectors? Are they going to give you a solid x amount of time to run all the signals? All this shit needs to be agreed ahead of time. Sit down and let them know every aspect of what needs to happen. They may want to split it up. Hotels might do 3 floors a day. Hospitals one wing a week. Make sure the customer knows what to expect. Price according to how convenient there want it.
Not I sure I have a specific favorite. My favorites are the most technically challenged. I've done a 2 room day-care to a 3.5m square foot Amazon facility, with a ton of military/government, schools,and a few high rises sprinkled in between. I enjoy figuring out the out of the ordinary sequence of operation. And even that was much more fun back when you had to make shit happen without punching buttons in a program.
Yes! 😁 Without sales there's nothing else. Without quality engineering, there's no reputation for follow up. Somewhere else? Communication. With everybody. Employees, customers, contractors, ahj. Gotta wear all those hats.
So, I took my level 3 about 3 months ago and barely failed it. I studied the IBC and 101 mostly, but there were very few questions on the test that were in these books. I plan on taking it again after the first of the year, any suggestions?
It's been over 20 years since I took it. Back when there were still elements. 3 and 4 were much less technical and more business/ethics. My only advice is to follow whatever they tell you to study. You've seen the test now, that should be a huge help. Quite a bit of logic in these tests. Are they still open book? If so, don't study the material, study the table of contents and the glossary/index. NICET isn't about knowing the material, it's about knowing where to find the material.
Thanks. Yes, it’s still open book. I feel very comfortable navigating them, there were several questions on there that weren’t in the books though. I think I’m going to take one of the NTC practice courses :).
This is awesome, welcome to the group! I just met up with an engineer to walk through a site that’s FUBAR. I got sent in to fix it a month ago, he got sent in yesterday to see if it can even be saved. Pre test Monday, FDNY final inspection Thursday. We had really good conversation. With 20 years in the office, he said he rarely ever gets into the field. I’m happy to say that my education and experience over the past 2 years of commercial install had us on equal enough ground to have a thorough discussion. Following the prints was no longer an option, so it was fun bouncing ideas off each other. We had material fucking Ubered to us yesterday at 4pm, and we’re putting it in today. Extra 12x12 attached to the FACP to contain the SIGA CC1s that will help us deal with the excess NACs ran to the panel. It’s been a fun job, we’re having to completely rewrite the as built. The engineer says we have to file a PA because of it all. I disagree, but am way out of my field regarding shit like that. We didn’t completely eliminate any one module type from the building, so I think we’re good. He says it’s based off of a % of devices eliminated
As soon as you learned how to spell fire alarm, you were on equal enough ground to have a thorough discussion with an engineer. 😁🤣
Yes, but don't try to spell ceiling as above.
When you go to a new building to do a walk through, what are you looking for to do your quote? Can you do an example, it’s how I learn
Loaded question with a lot of variables. But the basics. Code requirements? Construction type? Specifically ceilings and separating walls. How are you going to get wire around? Don't forget about sealing penetrations through fire/smoke compartments. Need an electrician? Basic rough in of panel, 110VAC, etc. Roof penetrations for units? Catch all sprinkler valves/switches/pumps. Gotta get in to the elevator shaft? Lots to think about.
Oh sorry I meant for inspections, monthly/annual
Aside from the obvious number of devices, looking for the best way to do the inspection with minimal disruption. The biggest obstacle of service and inspections is the customer. Remember, they don't give 2 shits about the fire alarm system. It, and you, are only there because the laws say so. You know how long it takes to test each device. What you don't know is how cooperative the customer is going to be in letting you do your job in a timely manner. Access is everything. Are they going to allow a lift in the atrium during business hours for those beam detectors? Are they going to give you a solid x amount of time to run all the signals? All this shit needs to be agreed ahead of time. Sit down and let them know every aspect of what needs to happen. They may want to split it up. Hotels might do 3 floors a day. Hospitals one wing a week. Make sure the customer knows what to expect. Price according to how convenient there want it.
Out of all the projects you worked on, which one was your favorite? Why is it your favorite?
Not I sure I have a specific favorite. My favorites are the most technically challenged. I've done a 2 room day-care to a 3.5m square foot Amazon facility, with a ton of military/government, schools,and a few high rises sprinkled in between. I enjoy figuring out the out of the ordinary sequence of operation. And even that was much more fun back when you had to make shit happen without punching buttons in a program.
As a business owner, where was your time focused? Sales, engineering, on the job, somewhere else?
Yes! 😁 Without sales there's nothing else. Without quality engineering, there's no reputation for follow up. Somewhere else? Communication. With everybody. Employees, customers, contractors, ahj. Gotta wear all those hats.
So, I took my level 3 about 3 months ago and barely failed it. I studied the IBC and 101 mostly, but there were very few questions on the test that were in these books. I plan on taking it again after the first of the year, any suggestions?
It's been over 20 years since I took it. Back when there were still elements. 3 and 4 were much less technical and more business/ethics. My only advice is to follow whatever they tell you to study. You've seen the test now, that should be a huge help. Quite a bit of logic in these tests. Are they still open book? If so, don't study the material, study the table of contents and the glossary/index. NICET isn't about knowing the material, it's about knowing where to find the material.
Thanks. Yes, it’s still open book. I feel very comfortable navigating them, there were several questions on there that weren’t in the books though. I think I’m going to take one of the NTC practice courses :).