Abilities, Skills, and Technologies

Abilities you will need to possess:

  • Manual Dexterity, Arm-Hand steadiness, & Multi-limb Coordination
  • Inductive and Deductive Reasoning & Problem Solving skills
  • Oral Comprehension, Verbal & Documentation skills
  • Correctable Vision without color blindness
  • Work unsupervised almost exclusively
  • Flawless Driving Record, Clean Background check, & Responsible Credit History

Tools you will need to proficiently use:

  • Fish tape
  • Ohmmeter, Signal or tone generator
  • Power drills
  • Trenching rigs
  • Rigid pipe threading apparatus
  • Assorted hand tools including
    • Screwdrivers
    • Jab saws
    • Levels
    • Wrenches
    • Soldering irons
    • Wire strippers

Technologies you will need to be familiar with:

  • Fiber Optics
  • Computer Programming
  • Telephone Protocols
  • RS 485 & RS 232 communications formats
  • TCP/IP internet protocols & Network monitoring software
  • Microsoft Office or equivalent
  • CAD Computer Aided Drafting

Licensing and Certification

Nebraska and Iowa have licensing requirements for installers, inspectors, and designers. National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technologies (NICET) is a nationally respected organization. NE/IA have NICET Certification written directly into their by-laws concerning licensing. Contractor and technician licensing in those states require NICET certification before work can be done lawfully. At this time Missouri require licensing on the county level. Many large cities like Chicago or New York have city-specific certifications. These various certifications, respected by state and local governments, are well respected here. These certifications can be obtained through training and testing with the following organizations.

  • The Automatic Fire Alarm Association (AFAA),
  • The Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
  • The NFPA sponsors the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS)

Code of Ethics defined

  • We shall have the utmost regard for the safety of the general public. Be dedicated to their health and welfare. To consider the ramifications of my actions during the design and execution of my professional duties.
  • We shall endeavor to maintain highest levels of proficiency, updating knowledge and skills associated with the engineering profession.
  • We shall demonstrate Integrity, honesty and fairness while upholding and enhancing the honor of my profession during any activity.
  • We shall never distort or allow a misrepresentation of my work, academic, or professional qualifications. We shall never skew or alter facts in an attempt to limit our responsibilities.
  • We shall seek out, accept, and offer honest criticism of work, while properly crediting the contributions of others, and shall not accept credit for the work of others.
  • We shall act as a trusted agent of confidential information, never disclosing revealing facts, business affairs, data, or any information obtained in connection with services rendered. This shall be true of any present or former client.
  • We shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest that may influence my judgment or the quality of my service. If unavoidable, We shall disclose to the involved parties, in writing, the actions that have created the appearance of such.
  • We shall make a concerted effort to understand consequences to the environment that I will have in the execution of my professional duties. We shall make every effort to minimize the effects of our profession on these environments.
  • We shall make decisions without bias based on race, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation or disabilities.
  • We shall avoid the receiving, granting, or tacitly allowing bribery in any of its forms.
  • We shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. We shall do this only when based upon confirmed knowledge and understanding of the facts. We shall show certainty and competence of the subject matter.
  • We shall, when designing, supplying, or installing life safety systems, install in compliance with nationally recognized codes, regulations, and standards, federal, state and local laws.
  • We shall encourage and support local and national legislation affecting the industry and the people we serve.
  • We shall assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development.