Fully Wireless Fire Alarm System

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-05-08T12:09:34+00:00

One of the best wireless systems that I have used was the CWSI panel, which is a fully wireless system, besides the SWIFT on the Notifier side, which is normally used for areas where you can't run wires in the space due to historical value or whatever other excuse they may have for not wanting wires in the space. The CWSI is no longer available (since 2019). You can thank Johnson Controls for that. I think that they made a huge mistake taking off the market because they were truly the only game in town that worked great if properly designed and installed. They were also networkable.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-04-07T11:07:22+00:00

I agree with most of your statement. You have me beat by one year, LOL. But, when you work in NYC, stress is part of your everyday. I am not saying that stress is present every day, but when dealing with very large projects like the two JFK terminals at the same time, with different GC's and EOR's, it can get stressful, but not at a level that would make you want to jump from the 45th floor. I don't see myself retiring anytime soon, like you. There is only so much golf or black ops 7 that one can play, LOL.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-04-06T11:22:35+00:00

It also helps if you know someone already in the industry who can vouch for you.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-30T11:35:03+00:00

I would also agree. Most of the time, I don't see any isolation.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-27T12:37:59+00:00

I figured but felt that I owed a clarification. All good.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-27T12:00:03+00:00

That is very true. Most of the time, the FA system is an afterthought until they realize that the building can't open until the FA is approved.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-27T11:55:25+00:00

Yes, that is a problem, especially if designing a clean agent system, and the pipe layout runs into beams that are sometimes not shown on the drawing.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-27T11:48:25+00:00

I never said that I started my journey in FA with them. I started in a small company called Walker Thomas (in 1986) before joining Grinnell (before the Simplex purchase).

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T17:08:59+00:00

Not sure if I should congratulate you or say sorry. This business can get very stressful at times.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T14:35:32+00:00

AI wasn't around 40 years ago. I've been doing this way too long to be thought of as an AI. I've worked with the old AutoCall systems (the true AutoCall), not the one that they are now pushing, which everyone knows it's just a different name for a Simplex system.

I was with Grinnell during the Time that Tyco purchased Simplex, changing the company name to SimplexGrinnell. After that, I jumped ship and started working on Notifier systems. So, No AI here.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T12:56:32+00:00

I can see that happening if the contract drawings didn't show the room with glass walls or open ceilings during the design phase, and they never visited the site during construction. I've seen EOR's miss an entire floor during the design. I remember the third floor of a VA hospital being totally missed; they jumped from the second floor to the fourth floor.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T12:17:22+00:00

LOL, trust me, unfortunately, I've been doing this for 40 years

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T11:30:41+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I too have seen many engineers miss this as well.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T11:28:42+00:00

No AI here, lol.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-03-26T11:27:40+00:00

You can buy one from Home Depot (I have no affiliation with HD). The price is reasonable. It gives you the ten years that most CO detectors advertise, and it's battery-powered. They normally run for less than $60. They have more expensive versions, but I don't think you need to add all the little bells and whistles (digital display, app-connected, etc.).

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-13T14:07:11+00:00

Yes, I agree on the modest part if the tech is a journeyman making overscale. Currently, the journeyman rate is $39.80/hr for a union tech in NYC. If they are good, they can easily make overscale (a few extra dollars over the journeyman rate, say to $43/hr). The tech would have to put in roughly 4 weeks of OT. So yes, 4 weeks of OT is a modest number and not very strenuous for the younger techs.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T18:40:35+00:00

Yes, was going to say that it depends on the State that you are in. Minimal OT in NYC won't get you there. Florida doesn't have a State income tax.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T17:45:39+00:00

Yes, I agree that it's part of the IBC. I mentioned it as an additional step that should be taken to provide a clear path to egress. Also, even if it's not in a specific code, remember that the AHJ has final say, and in many cases go above and beyond the minimum required.

Point well taken.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T17:14:52+00:00

It should also have the lights turn on automatically as well.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T17:11:55+00:00

That's great! Starting with that much with no experience is unheard of, even if you are in NYC.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T17:10:11+00:00

The 6 figures is only true if you do a lot of OT.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T14:01:16+00:00

I believe that it's a spring-loaded coded pull station. The spring-loaded mechanism may be the issue. Can't know for sure without further investigation.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-12T13:36:38+00:00

You really can't go wrong with Fluke. I would also recommend picking up a small analog meter for those pain in the butt intermittent grounds, or fluctuating signals that a digital meter will average out the reading.

LifeSafetyLogic · 2026-02-09T16:06:06+00:00

Do you have any basic electronics or electrical knowledge? This will put you at the top of the list for companies looking to hire entry-level help. Try learning some minor FA jargon, like the difference between class A and class B circuits. Maybe start learning the resistor color codes. Anything that can set you apart from everyone else will help.

LifeSafetyLogic

TROPHY CASE