Episode #49: FireM | The Fire Protection Podcast

Revolutionizing Fire Alarm with IoT - Scott MacRitchie
The future of fire protection is here. Collaboration is happening more and more in fire protection. Manufacturers are working with software providers to enhance how fire protection systems are inspected, tested, and operated.
On this Episode #49 of The Fire Protection Podcast, Drew sits down with Scott MacRitchie, of LVX Global - Fire M. Scott has a wealth of knowledge in the fire protection industry coming from FireTrace and API Group (Davis Ulmer). There was a big shout-out to industry legend Steve Ulmer as well.
FireM is transforming the fire alarm industry with IoT solutions allowing end users and service providers the ability to connect to any fire alarm panel in a building. Traditionally a technician needs to hook up via the hard-wire port annually (or when necessary) to get the data and transcribe it back for analysis. The product for FireM connects via the printer port (and a gateway) and can send alerts to the service provider and building owner through the cloud.
Scott also tips off the listeners with new products on the road map. An ITM / Mobile version of FireM’s product line and some unique fire extinguisher monitoring devices are in development.
0:06 - Fire Protection Terminology
2:34 - Intro to Scott MacRitchies
3:39 - Steve /Ulmer & the Buffalo Bills
5:00 - A Found Industry
5:17 - Drew has been in Fire Protection for 20 years
5:40 - LBX Global & Smart Infrastructure
7:04 - FireM
7:45 - Fire Panel Data Points
8:22 - Capturing Insights
9:20 - Upgrading what is already in Place
10:10 - My Dishwasher tells me when it’s finished
11:00 - Connected IoT
12:23 - Pain Points for Technicians
13:35 - How to Attract Young People to Fire Protection
15:01 - Roll a Truck only when you really need to
16:10 - Third-Party Device
17:13 - All Data in One Place
19:03 - Carbon Copies?
21:50 - Used to be hours, then minutes, and now seconds
24: 40 - A Little Box
25:54 - Going Mobile?
31:02 - We are a Conduit
33:36 - “My Panel is Beeping.”
34:14 - In Other IoT News & Trends in Manufacturing
36:10 - We are all becoming Friends
37:38 - Co-petitors
38:00 -NFPA - FireM at Booth #442
39:09 -Nathan Brown, FireM’s inventor, will be there
39:57 - New Products, including Fire Extinguisher Monitoring
41:20 - Healthcare Hand Portables
41:44 - Looking for Feedback
43:30 - Hit the Inspect Point Button!
44:00 - Fast Round
44:20 - Favorite Installation?
45:10 - Favorite Suppression System?
46:02 - Scott’s Favorite Suppression System is in the Future!
47:04 - Table Smash?
48:20 - Wrap Up