The CFAA Fire Alarm Technician’s Podcast

On this episode, Mark and I discuss some of the definitions and parameters around 'what is a deficiency?' We will have more episodes to come on this very important subject, as this affects all of your work as a fire alarm technician and how you report and comment on things that 'aren't right'.Thanks again Mark for joining! 20 episodes down!If you would like to join me on the podcast, send an email to marketing@cfaa.ca

This week, we delve into the technical requirements of using Aspiration detection in an elevator shaft. With the new standards and the references to spot detectors being considered a deficiency if they are placed in elevator shafts (and other hard-to-access areas), we require better ways of doing fire detection in these spaces. Erik is one of the Field Application Engineers at Xtralis and provides great insight into ways that we can mitigate troubles and false alarm issues when using Aspiration detection in elevator shafts.Thank you Erik for your time and providing some great education for all of us.

This week's episode is all about door mag locks and how we test these devices as Fire Alarm Technicians. Ray was able to join us and go over this presentation that he did for the Central Ontario chapter earlier this year. Thanks for joining us, Ray!

This week we talk cable with Gabriel from Cerco Cable. He has a lot of information to share on the codes and types and cable that are used in Fire Alarm. Another great episode to use for reference for more knowledge on cabling. Gabriel can be contacted at:gsenechal@cercocable.com

This week, we talk to Steven Forrester, a building code consultant from New Brunswick. We delve into the terminology of performance-based design and how it can affect your inspections as a tech and what to look for in a building that may have some type of design modification from the building codes.Contact Steven at sforrester@valfor.ca

This week we have a profile on a great outreach initiative for young women interested in the Fire Protection industry! Camp Molly is discussed and the history and where they are headed with this program.Thanks Victoria for coming on to discuss.www.campmolly.caFor more info on the history and story of Molly Williams:http://shemadehistory.com/molly-wiliams/

This week we have Frank on the podcast to discuss software tools to improve quoting speed and efficiency and general management of a fire alarm company using newer tools and AI.

This episode is on the very important subject of Battery Testing and the safety considerations when testing the batteries for our fire alarm systems. We also go over some of the code changes that may have already hit Western Canada, but are due to hit Ontario in January 2025.There is a related article battery testing safety that Aaron Lee from Atkins Realis in Ontario contributed in this edition of the CFAA Journal. It is a great read and adds to the discussion that Brett and I had. Please look to this link and go to the June 2024 edition. https://www.cfaa.ca/journalsAny comments? Please write to marketing@cfaa.ca

This episode was a great discussion with Brett Roach on some tips for troubleshooting and also some tips on dealing with your clients on site when there’s a trouble on the fire alarm panel.