With a strong economy, plus a healthy new construction and retrofit market, business remains steady in the fire space, with a few new opportunities, but also some notes of caution
With the security industry dominated by swift change, the fire alarm market can be a “safe haven” for many security dealers and integrators who either specialize or include fire detection in their stable of offerings. Code-driven and mandated, fire is more of a “sure thing” as long as you maintain quality business practices, a respectful relationship with the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), and a continued showing of value to your customer as to why they should choose you over a competitor.
Accordingly, nearly everyone interviewed for this article reported that 2017 sales were at least steady if not significantly higher than 2016. Why wouldn’t they be? In an economy that is staying strong, with a projected commercial construction growth rate of 4 percent annually through 2019 (see chart on page 81), there is much to be satisfied about.