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Fire Alarm Training Podcast

Fire Alarm Training Podcast

Written by: Anthony T. Richardson
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Podcast Description – The Fire Alarm Insider

Welcome to The Fire Alarm Insider the no-fluff podcast where fire alarm pros, techs, and future business owners get the real-world strategies to build, scale, and dominate in the life safety industry. Hosted by Anthony T. Richardson, a 20-year veteran and president of Secure It Securities, this show pulls back the curtain on how to turn your skills into a 6 or 7 figure fire alarm business.

Whether you’re in the field or in the office, every episode delivers practical tactics, compliance hacks, code breakdowns, and insider game all designed to put you ahead of the curve.

🎁 Grab your free copy of the “Fire Alarm Business Blueprint” eBook and start your path to ownership now:

Your tools, your talent, your time now it’s time to build your business. Tune in. Level up. Let’s get to work.

Secure it Securities Corp
Episodes
  • Inspection Day Doesn’t Lie: Why Fire Alarm Inspectors Reveal the Truth About Your System

    Inspection Day Doesn’t Lie: Why Fire Alarm Inspectors Reveal the Truth About Your System
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode of The Fire Alarm Insider, we get real about what separates a decent installer from a true professional: inspection readiness. The install isn’t the final test. The punch list isn’t the final test. The first power-up isn’t the final test. Inspection day is where the truth shows up. I break down why inspections expose every shortcut, every wiring mistake, every lazy programming decision, and every mismatch between plans and field work. More importantly, I share the mindset and daily habits that make passing inspection a lifestyle not a last-minute scramble. 1. Why Inspections Are the Real Test Inspection day is binary: the system is either ready or it isn’t. There’s no negotiating with wiring, programming, device placement, supervision, or central station signaling. If it’s not 100% ready, don’t call for finals. 2. Inspections Reveal Every Shortcut Inspectors don’t have to guess. They see everything: frayed or over-pulled wiring sloppy tape fixes reverse polarity open/shorted circuits missing end-of-line devices mis-labeled zones lazy terminations The panel tells on you every time. 3. Device Placement Must Match the Plans Inspectors compare drawings to real-world locations instantly. smoke spacing pull station height/visibility sound coverage correct device type per environment If the plans say a device is there, it must be there—properly installed and working. 4. Programming Has to Match the Sequence of Operation If your verification logic is off, your sequence doesn’t match the design intent, or your rules look like guesswork, inspection will expose it in front of everyone. Examples I call out: elevator recall smoke in lobby alternate recall logic making sure the elevator company finishes their tie-ins, not just “relay activated” 5. Clean Installs Don’t Guarantee Passing But Mess Guarantees Failure Neat panels, tidy terminations, supported wiring, and secure devices show pride and professionalism. This is a life safety system. Clean work earns trust and speeds up inspections. 6. Documentation Has to Be Perfect As-builts, risers, functionality statements, engineering stamps everything must align. If paperwork is off, you’re resubmitting. 7. Why Passing Matters (Beyond Pride) Passing inspection: saves money (no rework, no extra devices, no return trips) saves time (no tenant move-in delays, no CO delays, no payment delays) builds your reputation (consistent passes = trusted contractor) protects the client legally and operationally protects lives 8. Inspection-Readiness Is a Daily Discipline Don’t wait until inspection day to care. test early fix issues as you go don’t let punch lists pile up induce failures internally so the inspector never sees them “Inspection-ready isn’t a moment it’s a lifestyle.” 9. Real-World Testing Example I walk through a practical rule: If 20 pull stations are supposed to release doors or shut down fans, test every single one individually. Don’t assume programming equals reality. Confidence comes from verification. “Anybody can install a system, but inspection reveals who built it.” “If messy work doesn’t guarantee a fail, it guarantees stress.” “We clean as we cook catch problems early so they never pile up.” “Inspection day should feel like confirmation, not panic.” technicians who want to pass finals consistently installers who keep getting hit with rework programmers responsible for sequence and verification owners building a reputation in the trade If you’re tired of learning inspection lessons the expensive way through failed finals, rework, and reputation damage—then it’s time to build your company on a real framework. Inside the Fire Alarm Business Blueprint, I help you: install and program systems with inspection in mind from day one build clean wiring, labeling, and testing standards your team can repeat price jobs to stay profitable even with real-world delays create systems so you’re not the only one who can pass an inspection grow from tech to owner with structure, not stress Book a call and let’s map your next move. You bring your current situation I’ll bring the Blueprint. If this episode sharpened your mindset: Follow The Fire Alarm Insider on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Send this to a tech who needs to stop cutting corners. Leave a review so more people in the trade find the show.
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    11 mins
  • Ionization vs Photoelectric: The Two Smoke Detectors Every Tech Must Understand

    Ionization vs Photoelectric: The Two Smoke Detectors Every Tech Must Understand
    Dec 3 2025

    There are only two types of smoke detectors ionization and photoelectric and once you truly understand how they work, everything gets clearer: nuisance alarms, false trips, placement mistakes, and why one detector reacts faster than another.

    In this episode of The Fire Alarm Insider, I break the science down in plain terms and connect it to real-world installs: what each detector is best at, how each one senses smoke, and the practical placement rules that keep your systems reliable and inspection-ready.

    If you’re ready to stop operating off guesswork and start building a fire alarm business that’s structured, profitable, and scalable, the Fire Alarm Business Blueprint is your next move.

    Inside the Blueprint, I’ll help you:

    • master installs, service, and troubleshooting with real logic

    • avoid costly mistakes that create false alarms and rework

    • price jobs right so you actually profit

    • build systems and a team so you’re not stuck doing everything

    • grow from technician to owner with a clear roadmap

    Book a call and let’s map your path from where you are now to running a legit fire alarm company.
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    5 mins
  • Fire Alarm Systems Made Simple: The 5-Part Framework Every Tech Should Master

    Fire Alarm Systems Made Simple: The 5-Part Framework Every Tech Should Master
    Dec 2 2025

    The panel doesn’t “create” emergencies. It receives signals, interprets what they mean, and activates outputs like horns, strobes, doors, elevator recall, fans, and more. It also transmits alarms to central station so emergency response gets dispatched. Everything in the building ultimately reports back to this brain.

    If you’re serious about going from “tech who knows the basics” to owner who runs a real fire alarm company, the framework in this episode is just the start.

    Inside the Fire Alarm Business Blueprint, I show you how to:

    • master installs, service, and programming with confidence

    • price jobs correctly and stop leaving money on the table

    • build quoting and troubleshooting systems that scale

    • set up your business legally, professionally, and profitably

    • grow from solo operator to a company with a real team

    Book a call and let’s map out your path. You bring where you are right now I’ll bring the Blueprint.
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    11 hrs and 31 mins
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