Technology advancements, updated codes and communication needs are driving the fire market forward, leading to a very bullish outlook for 2019 and beyond.
The U.S. fire market was steady and strong in 2018, with an equal or better outlook for 2019. While part of the reason was the economy remained good and new construction continued in 2018, one change this year was an emphasis on technology advancements and how they are benefitting both security dealers and integrators, as well as end users. New communication technology opportunities on the horizon also factored into the increasingly rosy picture.
“There have been a lot of changes in the industry and the technology used,” says Richard Roux, senior electrical specialist, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Quincy, Mass. “It has changed by leaps and bounds and various companies have come out with products that are really innovative.”