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.

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.

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

Inspectors compare drawings to real-world locations instantly.

smoke spacing

pull station height/visibility

sound coverage

correct device type per environment

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.

elevator recall smoke in lobby

alternate recall logic

making sure the elevator company finishes their tie-ins, not just “relay activated”

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.

As-builts, risers, functionality statements, engineering stamps everything must align. If paperwork is off, you’re resubmitting.

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

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

I walk through a practical rule:

“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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what a real day looks like as a small fire alarm contractor trying to operate like a big one. From waking up at 3:00 AM to writing proposals, running service calls, managing sales, and still showing up for family this is the unfiltered routine behind the highlight reel.

I break down why early mornings are my “deep work” zone, how quoting and government proposals really take 2–3 hours when done right, and what it means to switch hats all day owner, technician, salesman, and project manager until the right team is fully in place.

If you’re tired of guessing your way through this industry and you want a real step-by-step path to build a fire alarm business that’s profitable and scalable, then you need the Fire Alarm Business Blueprint.

Inside the Blueprint, I’ll show you how to:

price and win installs the right way

set up systems that replace chaos

build a team even before you feel “ready”

grow beyond being the only technician in your company

turn your daily grind into an operation that runs with or without you

Book a call and let’s map your next moves together.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Anthony T. Richardson shares the eight most common mistakes electricians make when installing fire alarm systems and how to avoid them. Drawing on over 25 years of experience designing and servicing systems across New York City, Anthony breaks down real-world examples, code violations, and costly oversights that can lead to inspection failures, wasted time, or safety risks.

Whether you’re a licensed technician, an aspiring fire alarm installer, or a general contractor, this episode will help you master compliance, wiring standards, and life safety best practices.

Key Takeaways

🔧 Why filing and permitting delays derail most projects

⚡ The right way to choose fire alarm cable types and gauges

🧠 How to prevent bad wiring and cross-circuit mistakes

📏 Proper device spacing and mounting heights for compliance

✅ The importance of testing every circuit and signal before inspection

🗂️ Why as-built drawings are crucial for final approval

🚫 The legal and financial risks of working without a license

Resources Mentioned

Join the Fire Alarm Business Blueprint

Free Fire Alarm Training Center

Why Most People Fail the Exam (And How to Avoid It)Anthony explains the biggest mistake he sees: trying to memorize every fire code, electrical rule, and module all at once. Anthony breaks down why this causes burnout and confusion, and how to switch to a smarter study method that actually sticks.

Take the License Navigator Pro Course

In this episode, I break down how to approach the NICET Level I exam without stressing yourself out or trying to memorize hundreds of random facts. You’ll learn how the test actually works, why the code books matter more than memorization, and the simple method I use to identify keywords, pick the right book, jump to the right chapter, and find the exact answer fast. I explain the types of questions you’ll face, the books you’re allowed to bring in, and the strategy behind saving time by answering the easy questions first. This episode gives you a clear roadmap to study smarter, move with confidence, and finally understand how to navigate NFPA 70, NFPA 72, IBC, and NFPA 101 like a pro.

NICET Level 1Download the Top 100 Codes Every NICET Tech Must Know the exact list I recommend studying daily to build speed, confidence, and accuracy for Level I and beyond. It’s free, and it will instantly give you an edge over techs trying to pass this test by guessing.

In this episode, I break down one of the biggest lies entrepreneurs believe: that they’re “bad at sales.” The truth is far simpler most people aren’t struggling with selling, they’re struggling with clarity. When your offer isn’t specific, outcome-driven, or packaged in a way people instantly understand, even the best funnel, ad, or script won’t help.

I share my own story of wasting money on marketing, chasing leads, and creating content that spoke to no one until I fixed the real issue: my offer. That shift led to the creation of the Offer Architect a simple, repeatable system that forces you to define your audience, articulate the transformation you provide, and package it in a way people actually want to buy.

You’ll hear how this framework challenges your assumptions, sharpens your message, and helps you build a complete marketing plan around one clear promise. By the end, you’ll understand why you don’t need better ads… you just need a better offer.

Price Like a Pro — Episode Show Notes (Brief):

Quick CTA:

In this episode I strip away the jargon and show you how to explain fire alarm systems in plain English so clients finally get what you’re selling and why it matters. You’ll hear how a simple, honest sentence can replace confusing acronyms, why I always use a three-step approach with building owners, and how everyday analogies the panel as the brain, wiring as the nervous system turn technical complexity into real client confidence.

Join The Fire Alarm Business Blueprint™ and take control of your future.