Discover
Fire Protection Podcast

Fire Protection Podcast
Author: Inspect Point, Drew Slocum
Subscribed: 128Played: 1,166Subscribe
Share
© 2024 - Inspect Point - Fire Protection Podcast
Description
The Fire Protection Podcast dives deep into topics of the fire protection industry. Fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, extinguishers and other life safety systems are discussed. Leaders from all over the world talk about new technologies and processes that are helping improve the fire safety community.
83 Episodes
Reverse
00:00 Introduction & Conference Recap03:50 Jim's Background, NFPA's History and Mission10:49 Public Awareness & "Code for Every Moment" Campaign14:15 NFPA's Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem16:18 Reverse Renovations with Jonathan Scott18:23 Real-World Code Application & Lessons from Tragedies21:54 How Codes and Standards Are Written24:43 Code Update Cycles and Politics28:58 Making Codes Approachable and Industry Sustainability39:08 Al's Role and Risks in Fire Protection43:12 The Nuances of Codes, Standards, and Al46:52 Closing Thoughts and Passion for the Job
Timestamps00:00 Welcome & Introduction02:35 Karsten’s Journey into Fire Protection07:26 Why Recurring Revenue Matters09:32 Turning Installs into Service Contracts11:13 Customer Service as a Growth Driver13:09 AHJ Compliance Platforms & Industry Shifts14:28 Navigating Local Jurisdiction Challenges18:18 Risk Management and System Types19:33 Karsten’s Favorite Systems to Work On24:45 Suppression Systems & Market Competition26:19 Restaurant Stories from the Field28:15 Embracing Technology and AI in Fire Protection33:02 Private Equity & The Industry’s Future34:48 ACE Fire’s Online Presence35:41 Closing Takeaways
Timestamps00:00 Introducing Rob Stewart and Fire Tech02:51 Real-World Fire Protection Stories06:36 Rob’s Background and Industry Goals09:10 Fire Protection Training Needs & Demographics11:48 Cross-Training Between Sprinkler & Alarm Disciplines14:35 Documentation Challenges & The Role of the Back Office20:00 Evolving Codes, Jurisdictional Differences, and AHJ Influence22:24 Updating Training to NFPA & NICET Standards24:16 Regional Code Variations25:37 Digital Documentation vs. Static Forms29:12 Building a Company-Wide Training Plan33:13 The ROI of Training: Real Cost-Savings Examples40:50 Personal Reflections: Lake Havasu & Industry Insights42:13 Closing Thoughts
00:00 From Technician to Entrepreneur02:20 Dakota’s Background & Apprenticeship Path04:34 Motivation to Start a Business06:30 Identifying a Niche in the Fire Industry08:39 Learning Design and Troubleshooting09:35 Teaching Himself FireCAD + Early Wins14:33 Balancing Install, Design & Multiple Projects18:02 Favorite Systems & What Works Best21:05 The Problem with Proprietary Equipment22:26 Customer-First, No-Contract Philosophy28:28 Work-Life Balance & Being a Present Dad30:44 Technology and Business Efficiency32:35 Dakota’s Passion for Golfing33:11 NFPA Involvement & Final Words
Drew chats with Glen Tipton, Director of Solution Engineering at BuildOps, about bridging the gap between install and service in the fire protection world. They dive into how BuildOps’ new partnership with Inspect Point is helping contractors streamline project management, inspections, and compliance. Packed with insights on recurring revenue, workforce challenges, and real-world tech adoption, this is a must-listen for anyone in fire life safety looking to level up operations.
Join host Drew Slocum as he sits down with Kyle Jarvenpaa, VP of Business Development at Space Age Electronics, a company specializing in fire and life safety system components since 1963. Kyle pulls back the curtain on Space Age's unique "niche within a niche," discussing their role in supporting OEMs, contractors, and engineers through complementary products and a focus on efficiency. Dive deep into the practical applications of NFPA 241 for safeguarding construction sites, learn about innovative wireless temporary fire alarm solutions, and explore the complexities of smoke control systems and firefighter override panels. Kyle also shares insights on industry consolidation, the value of partnerships, the evolution of system documentation with products like Acer boxes, and Space Age's commitment to education through their Ignite series. Tune in to hear about code compliance challenges, driving installation efficiency, and how Space Age collaborates across the fire protection landscape.
Host Drew Slocum sits down with August and Tony Conte of FireCAD to discuss the recent acquisition by Inspect Point and what it means for the future of the industry. Hear directly from August about his incredible 60-year journey in fire alarm and how FireCAD was born out of a need for better, faster design tools. Tony dives into how FireCAD is revolutionizing fire alarm system design, saving companies valuable time and money by eliminating manual errors and inefficiencies. Discover their vision for connecting design and inspection workflows, creating a seamless experience from start to finish. If you're in fire protection, you won't want to miss this conversation about innovation, collaboration, and the future of the industry!
In this engaging podcast episode, host Drew Slocum welcomes fire protection expert Lee Kaiser from ORR Protection for an in-depth conversation covering a wide array of industry topics. From the cultural buzz around the Kentucky Derby to the critical importance of data center fire safety and the evolving challenges of lithium-ion battery protection, Lee shares his expertise and insights. Lee and Drew get into the future of remote inspections, the benefits of data monitoring in fire systems, and the exciting trends in special hazard fire protection, all while highlighting Orr Protection's national reach and commitment to a positive company culture.
Shawn Mahoney from NFPA joins The Fire Protection Podcast in this episode to discuss the challenges and solutions surrounding fire doors and dampers. The episode explores why these critical elements of passive fire protection sometimes get overlooked in favor of active systems like sprinklers and fire alarms. Shawn explains the code requirements (NFPA 80 and 105), the inspection process, and the crucial role of education and enforcement in ensuring these systems function correctly. Drew and Shawn also address the issue of accessibility for dampers and the potential for integrating fire door and damper inspections into existing compliance platforms.
Join host Drew Slocum as he chats with Jeff Pirro, a volunteer firefighter and sales professional at Inspect Point, on this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast!
Jeff shares his unique perspective, growing up with a firefighter father and now serving his community as a volunteer. They discuss the critical role of fire safety and prevention, emphasizing the importance of residential fire sprinklers and the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires. Tune in for insights on the latest fire safety technology, the need for ongoing training and collaboration between firefighters and fire protection professionals, and a look at the proposed sprinkler bill in New York State. Don't miss this engaging conversation on The Fire Protection Podcast!
On this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum talks with Jason Webb, a fire protection expert and recovering AHJ, about the intricacies of fire protection codes and standards. Jason discusses his career journey from firefighter paramedic to his role in the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) and his work with Potter. Tune in to hear a discussion on the differences between the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, the code adoption process across states and jurisdictions, and the challenges of keeping up with the latest codes. Drew and Jason also discuss the NFPA code development process, the role of technical committees, and the impact of specific NFPA codes like 3, 4, and 915 on the industry.
In this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum talks with Ben Pitts and Jamie Knowles of Amerex, the world's leading fire extinguisher manufacturer, about lithium-ion battery fires and the challenges of putting them out. They discuss the importance of using the right fire extinguisher for the job and highlight some of the latest trends in fire protection, including the growing popularity of gas detection systems for electric vehicles.
In this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, powered by Inspect Point, host Drew Slocum interviews Victor Stagnaro, the CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The episode is being released on Giving Tuesday, and for every demo booked in December, Inspect Point will donate $100 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Victor describes the work of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including their efforts to support the families of fallen firefighters. The foundation also works to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries through education and training.
Victor and Drew discuss the fire protection industry and some of the challenges that firefighters face, including the increased risk of cancer and mental health issues. They also talk about the importance of fire prevention and the role of sprinkler systems in reducing firefighter fatalities.
To donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, visit firehero.org.
On this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum welcomes Raj Arora, CEO of Jensen Hughes, a global leader in fire protection engineering and consulting.
Raj shares his journey from selling fire alarm systems to leading a global firm, offering insights into the evolving landscape of fire protection. They discuss:
- The impact of private equity: How has it shaped the industry, and what does the future hold?
- Emerging trends: From wildfires and lithium-ion batteries to the resurgence of nuclear power, how is the industry adapting to new challenges?
- The role of technology: How is AI and digitalization transforming fire protection and creating new opportunities?
Follow Raquel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgomezmarvetfire/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com
Take the survey to be part of our 2025 Fire & Life Safety Report: https://engage.inspectpoint.com/fpp-ep-70-fls-report-surveyAGF Manufacturing: https://agfmfg.com/Follow Jim McHugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mchugh-agf/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com
Take the survey to be part of our 2025 Fire & Life Safety Report: https://engage.inspectpoint.com/fpp-ep-69-fls-report-surveyFirstDue: https://www.firstdue.com/Follow Andreas Huber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-huber-797ba618/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com
Solutions360: https://solutions360.com/Follow Brad Dempsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braddempsey/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com
NFPA: nfpa.org/Follow Shawn Mahoney: linkedin.com/in/shawn-mahoney-p-e-18269a48/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com
Azuga: https://www.azuga.com/Connect with Matt Curtis: https://linkedin.com/in/matt-curtis-52b288/Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com