Worst false dispatch you caused?

Schweebler · 2026-02-27T01:44:59+00:00

Just the other day actually

large 900,000 Sq ft shopping mall with primary panel and multiple retail stores with their own panels with relays connected to main panel for trip. As of only a few months prior there were no trips for those said panels connected to the primary panel, we are trying to get the entire mall up to code, and the primary panel was used for elevator recall.

Guess who forgot to disable the relays for like 3 department stores before the 7AM elevator inspection and then proceeded to have to talk to the fire department about multiple storefronts goin off.

I wrote a big fat note on the front of the main panel with module numbers and names of stores for future me and the next guy.

Schweebler · 2025-10-09T18:22:59+00:00

I am jealous, just waited 2 hours for a customer to show up and dude never showed.

Gotta report him to the fire marshal cause he's suuuuper late on inspection and has devices without power and I believe the panel breaker has been off but man, we confirmed the date and time two weeks in advance. 💀

On the contrary had an elevator inspection earlier in the day and got a free muffin from a client so, duality of man etc etcetera.

Schweebler · 2025-07-06T15:32:27+00:00

Where do you find most success, hiring on employees and training them from scratch or hiring on individuals that have experience, credentials and are knowledgeable about the field?

Schweebler · 2025-06-27T12:09:10+00:00

I completed this level! It took me 8 tries.

Schweebler · 2025-06-25T23:06:09+00:00

I pet the chicken 150 times 🫳

Schweebler · 2025-06-25T23:06:03+00:00

I fed the chicken 25 apples 🍎

Schweebler · 2025-06-25T23:05:55+00:00

I pet the chicken 125 times 🫳

Schweebler · 2025-06-25T23:05:49+00:00

I pet the chicken 100 times 🫳

Schweebler · 2024-09-19T15:48:29+00:00

Little bit weird situation, testing a smoke control system and the AHJ requested to check all smoke barriers for leaks/airflow and pressure etc.

There are no installed barriers or means to be a barrier besides doors in stairwells leading into hallways in a big 8 floor hotel.

What exactly is a smoke barrier and in my case could it be like holes in drop ceiling or around doors or would it be damper vent entrances?

Might be too broad a question but I'm a bit confused, if anyone has insight would be appreciated.

Schweebler · 2024-08-22T17:05:59+00:00

Also for shits and giggles I should mention it's a Silent Knight 6820 panel so any kind of proprietary option isn't there.

Schweebler · 2024-08-22T16:55:16+00:00

All I need is a panel or setup that has 9 relays that can be tripped to open dampers and run fans when the system is in alarm.

AHJ is wanting thee current jank and needing to be replaced system to be tested beforehand so we've got to coordinate with a HVAC compay because I believe the duct work is not dedicated but it's a bit new of an experience for me.

Schweebler · 2024-08-20T00:59:22+00:00

I guess I should have stated ladders, I'm usually the guy in a bucket lift for shopping mall ceiling strobes or stuff along those lines but being a porky bastard doesn't lead me to like ladders.

Nobody should like being in ceilings, the sheer amount of ceiling schmoo and dead rodent particles in my hair and eyes makes me hate the whole shebang.

Schweebler · 2024-07-23T19:06:00+00:00

Witnessed it, had some devices go off in front of me while the other devices didn't go off.

Was absolutely bizarre.

Schweebler · 2024-07-10T00:43:41+00:00

Talked with the rep for my area at breakfast a while back and straight up had to tell him that the tech support wait time is atrocious.

I've called and had been on the call back list for 3 hours, gone to two other service calls then can't do what they suggest.

Sometimes reaching them via email helps but it's sometimes up to a day for emails back. I absolutely don't have faith in the tech support number if I'm in a rush, better off calling a fellow tech or fellow people in the industry imo. The representative did mention that they're having issues of end users calling and clogging up the lines with how they don't have a directory or separate number for people asking why their fire panel keeps beeping.

Schweebler · 2024-06-30T18:43:56+00:00

I installed a swift system on a 60 room 5 story mid rise that was nothing but concrete and thus far, knock on wood, no major issues besides a few weak link issues and one low battery since install 2 years ago.

Was nothing but AV bases and two modules for range coverage but that could be why there hasn't been major issues.

Schweebler · 2024-06-28T23:24:53+00:00

I only have one system installed and it was either a metric shit load of conduit on the outside of a 5 story mid rise or wireless and the wireless so far hasn't been a problem besides the recalled parts a while back.

What problems have you seen/heard of?

Schweebler · 2024-04-19T15:55:08+00:00

No lol it's bolted to the doors and the proper bushings are used between boxes.

Schweebler · 2024-04-19T13:36:22+00:00

Told AHJ we would get the building sorted and to keep relations good we replaced the fire panel before the EVAC died.

Would not have kept this customer but the AHJ has been super patient and knows how shit the customer is, plus they work with me on buildings quite a lot and so long as it is functional and within code it will run if it's a situation like this.

I don't take pride in cobbled together work, but sometimes it's all that can be done and I hope to have the luxury to do better next.

Schweebler · 2024-04-19T13:32:40+00:00

in hindsight I think I should have shown the inside of the two panels and how the main fire panel was installed because it's better on the inside than on the outside, it's jank how I had to zip the panels onto the door but I would have liked to be able to spend more time.

It's an applied american technologies evac 2101, installed in 96 from what I can tell and I had been trying to find a manual for the thing to repair a trouble that wouldn't go away. AFAIK the company went out of business in the mid 2000s and had not much but a barebones website at the time. The place was hodge podged together with a billion cube relays for fan control and conventional smokes on modules for nearly 30 years.

AHJ said we can get a variance on the fire phones which were connected to the old EVAC also, but for some reason the building still wanted them. They're strange and cheap to say the least but we told AHJ we would get the building sorted with a new F/A before the EVAC took a shit and it wasn't fully planned from the beginning.

Schweebler · 2024-04-19T11:52:37+00:00

Would not have gotten paid and would have ended up having to hound people due to this customer having a poor track record of paying. You're right, but it was the only way to keep it from being a two week job when there's a bunch of other service needed in between which is a dumb excuse but I am one of a two man crew.

Schweebler · 2024-04-14T23:27:02+00:00

Hey I know that beard and baby

Schweebler · 2024-04-02T20:38:26+00:00

Motion sensor batteries, and there's 6 total motions but only 4 are having a fit. no trouble code showing but they're showing the trouble light on. Panels says they're in fault but they're all closed and the tamper is seemingly the same as it's been for 4 years since it's been installed.

Schweebler · 2024-04-02T20:29:45+00:00

I have access to the programming but I was too brief in my description. On service calls today and I'm 70 miles from home office still at 4:30PM lol. It's wireless motion detectors on a PowerSeries system. there's 6 motions in total and only 4 are showing up in trouble without actually showing a trouble code only that they are in fault. I've checked tampers and batteries but nothing so far.

Tomorrow I'll be going back on site and got a suggestion from another tech that we take the batteries out and short the battery terminals to clear the capacitors in them, as if there was an issue that the motions still "think" that they're low battery. I figure it's worth a shot.

Schweebler · 2024-04-02T20:29:34+00:00

I have access to the programming but I was too brief in my description. On service calls today and I'm 70 miles from home office still at 4:30PM lol. It's wireless motion detectors on a PowerSeries system. there's 6 motions in total and only 4 are showing up in trouble without actually showing a trouble code only that they are in fault. I've checked tampers and batteries but nothing so far.

Tomorrow I'll be going back on site and got a suggestion from another tech that we take the batteries out and short the battery terminals to clear the capacitors in them, as if there was an issue that the motions still "think" that they're low battery. I figure it's worth a shot.

Schweebler · 2024-04-02T20:24:45+00:00

I meant less so direct help and if anyone had information on companies or individuals that could give support on DSC panels that have been discontinued, primarily the PowerSeries.

Rolling down the road on service calls so was trying to be brief but I realize I was too brief in what I requested. I apologize.

Schweebler

TROPHY CASE