Fire detection insiders are literally “fired up” over last year’s market performance and the potential going forward. While still heavily code-driven, there are signs of technology innovations and changes pointing to more integration and opportunity than ever before.
Anyone who thinks the fire alarm industry — with its restricting codes and standards and conservative outlook — doesn’t experience exciting changes, would be wrong. “Explosive,” “spectacular,” and “best year ever” characterized many of the responses to questions about growth in 2016 and the outlook for 2017 and beyond.
“Fire was explosive in 2016,” says security integrator Shane Clary, vice president, codes and standards compliance, Bay Alarm Company, Concord, Calif. “We had our most robust year ever in fire.” Clary attributes this in part to more aggressive marketing, but also to an improved economy overall.