The CFAA Fire Alarm Technician’s Podcast - podcast cover

The CFAA Fire Alarm Technician’s Podcast

Tim Renaudfeeds.acast.com

Podcast for Canadian Fire Alarm Technicians and other people interested in the fire alarm industry in Canada.

comments can be sent to marketing@cfaa.ca

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

Ep 38 - Women In Engineering

Celebrating International Women In Engineering Day (INWED), we have 4 women with very different stories on how they moved into fire protection engineering. Please join us for this very informative Podcast! We also have Aaron Lee back to go over ULC standards revisions and what they mean to us when the Building and Fire Codes are updated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 202536 minSeason 1Ep. 38

Ep 37 - Soft Skills - Verbal, Written and Preparation Skills to make your job (and life) easier!

On this episode, Chris goes through the new Videos that were recorded with Edge Factor on soft skills, written and verbal communication https://edgefactor.com/my-organization/463fdb55-d27e-429b-9f88-d1844113f65c/content/player https://youtu.be/gfWefg1ayEo?si=qpFjErcEcF0d32cD Codes corner with Aaron Lee is on the upcoming OFC (Ontario Fire Code) changes for Ontario... obviously! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 09, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Ep 36 - 'Like for Like' Replacements? What does that mean? Is it a thing?

This week is on a very interesting and slightly divisive topic. What do we consider as 'like for like' replacement of a fire alarm control panel and what should we do to ensure that we are covered for liability when we do these service replacements? Look for the ULC Bulletin 2006-03 for the sub-committee commentary and recommendations on who we must have present for a verification, depending on the situation. Your AHJ would make the final decision on who needs to be present for the verification ...

May 26, 202533 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Ep 35 - A 'Junior' Technician's Perspective

Let's hear from someone who is new to our industry, but not new to the workforce... Aaron brings a different perspective that may help some of our techs with their own struggles to navigate a 'job' vs a 'career'. We also have Aaron Lee talking about the code updates for Ontario. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 202518 minSeason 1Ep. 35

Ep 34 - 2 Stage Fire Alarm Systems / Code Changes for Atlantic Canada

This week, we have a great episode with some good education on what are 2 stage systems, when are they used, and how they differ from other multi-stage systems or single stage systems. Thanks to Rick CHeung from the Vancouver Fire Department for coming on the podcast! Please refer to this guide from the City of Vancouver for their interpretation of this code. https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/vancouver-fire-bulletin-2024-001-2-stage-fire-alarms.pdf We also had Aaron Lee on the podcast from the Code...

Apr 28, 202518 minSeason 1Ep. 34

Ep 33 - Above And Beyond Awards

Mike Ellis is the Above and Beyond AWard winner for Alberta for 2024. Listen to Mike's story and hear about his venture in safer battery testing with Volt Verify. www.voltverify.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 20259 minSeason 1Ep. 33

Ep 31 - The AHJ's Perspective - A discussion with Fire Safety Inspectors

Have you ever had the chance to really listen and get to know what the fire safety officers do in your town? Today we have a discussion with two members of the fire service in the Calgary area. Comments? Email us at marketing@cfaa.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 202521 minSeason 1Ep. 31

Ep 30 - Above And Beyond Award winner - with our Quebec chapter winner (in French)

This week we bring the Quebec chapter of the CFAA (the ACAI in French) to the podcast to introduce us to their 2024 winner of the Above and Beyond Award! The first part is in French and then I offer a summary translation at the end for those who didn't -quite- catch it all! Thanks to Raphael for taking the reigns and leading the interview in my SECOND language! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 10, 202519 minSeason 1Ep. 30

Ep 29 - ISO 17024 Certification for Technicians?

This week, we talk to Suzanne Alfano (Executive Director of the CFAA) Stephen Ames (past President and currently working on the ISO certification project for the CFAA) about the contemplated certification to ISO standard 17024. We discuss the process and where we are so far in this journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 29

Ep 28 - Above And Beyond Awards Pt 2

Welcome to 2025! Here is our first episode of the year and we continue with interviews with the Above and Beyond Award Winners. Tony Hodder, Victoria Boltsis and Aliaksandr Shamshur share some of their experiences in fire alarm and why they think they were awarded this prize. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 202525 minSeason 1Ep. 28

Ep 27 - End Of Year Roundup

On this Year-End episode, I have asked a few of my past guests and also Suzanne Alfano, Executive Director fo the CFAA and Jordan Klemick, Current President of the CFAA, to give us some year end summary of what we are doing at the executive committee level and what we have planned in 2025. I was also able to bring on Cathy and Mark, who have been on the podcast in the past and have rolls within chapters of the CFAA. I wish you all a Happy New Year and we will see you on the road somewhere in Can...

Dec 30, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 27

Ep 26 - Above And Beyond Awards Part 1

This is the first of a multi-part series where we wil feature an interview with each of the award winners of our technician's committee Above and Beyond Awards. Trevor Ritchie (Drapeau Fire) was the winner for the Eastern Chapter of Ontario and Woody Gradin (Troy Life and Fire Safety) won for the Saskatchewan chapter. They give us their insights on what fires them up (pun intended...) about the industry and their job and what makes them go "Above and Beyond"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Dec 16, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 26

Ep 25 - Behind The Curtain of the CFAA Executive Board and Committees Pt 2

Part 2 of the podcast on a behind the scenes of the CFAA board of directors and committees. This episode focuses on the technicians and how you as a tech can get involved, what the levels of membership in the CFAA look like, and other topics of interest to our technician members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 02, 202418 minSeason 1Ep. 25

Ep 24 - Behind the Curtain of the CFAA Executive Board and Committees Pt 1

This week, we take a look 'behind the curtain of the CFAA Boards and Committees and see how the sausage is made! We will dive into each of the committees and see how they all work together to make the engine run for the CFAA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 18, 202421 min

Ep 23 - AI tools being used in Fire Alarm

This week's episode is with Pery Zerbinos and we discuss some of the best use cases for AI (currently) and how it is shaping our future in fire alarm reporting and getting our work done. This podcast may be at the highest risk of being obsolete in a year! We will see... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 04, 202421 minSeason 1Ep. 23

Ep 22 - Deficiencies in S536-2019 and S537 2019 (Part 2)

This week is a long-ish episode and is more of a discussion with Mark and Tom on what we have been discovering as we have started working wiht the new standards. We focus on the topic of deficiencies and how some parts are open to some interpretation. Would you like to come on the podcast? Send me a line at marketing@cfaa.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 21, 202435 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Ep 21 - The past, present and future of CFAA Education

This week's episode is with Randy Panesar from Durham College and we go over where we were, where we are, and where we are going in education for fire alarm systems in Canada. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 07, 202430 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Ep 20 - Deficiencies in the new ULC standards' updates

On this episode, Mark and I discuss some of the definitions and parameters around 'what is a deficiency?' We will have more episodes to come on this very important subject, as this affects all of your work as a fire alarm technician and how you report and comment on things that 'aren't right'. Thanks again Mark for joining! 20 episodes down! If you would like to join me on the podcast, send an email to marketing@cfaa.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 23, 202428 minSeason 1Ep. 20

Ep 19 - Elevator shaft applications using Aspiration detection

This week, we delve into the technical requirements of using Aspiration detection in an elevator shaft. With the new standards and the references to spot detectors being considered a deficiency if they are placed in elevator shafts (and other hard-to-access areas), we require better ways of doing fire detection in these spaces. Erik is one of the Field Application Engineers at Xtralis and provides great insight into ways that we can mitigate troubles and false alarm issues when using Aspiration ...

Sep 09, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Ep 18 - Door Mag Locks and Fire Alarm Interconnections and testing

This week's episode is all about door mag locks and how we test these devices as Fire Alarm Technicians. Ray was able to join us and go over this presentation that he did for the Central Ontario chapter earlier this year. Thanks for joining us, Ray! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 26, 202422 min

Ep 17 - Fire Alarm Cabling

This week we talk cable with Gabriel from Cerco Cable. He has a lot of information to share on the codes and types and cable that are used in Fire Alarm. Another great episode to use for reference for more knowledge on cabling. Gabriel can be contacted at: gsenechal@cercocable.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 12, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Ep 16 - What is “performanced-based design” and how does it affect my inspections?

This week, we talk to Steven Forrester, a building code consultant from New Brunswick. We delve into the terminology of performance-based design and how it can affect your inspections as a tech and what to look for in a building that may have some type of design modification from the building codes. Contact Steven at sforrester@valfor.ca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 29, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Ep 15 - An Introduction to Camp Molly

This week we have a profile on a great outreach initiative for young women interested in the Fire Protection industry! Camp Molly is discussed and the history and where they are headed with this program. Thanks Victoria for coming on to discuss. www.campmolly.ca For more info on the history and story of Molly Williams: http://shemadehistory.com/molly-wiliams/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 15, 202419 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Ep 14 - Software tools for Fire Alarm Sales Management

This week we have Frank on the podcast to discuss software tools to improve quoting speed and efficiency and general management of a fire alarm company using newer tools and AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 01, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Ep 13 - Code Changes for Ontario effective Jan 2025 and Battery Testing Safety

This episode is on the very important subject of Battery Testing and the safety considerations when testing the batteries for our fire alarm systems. We also go over some of the code changes that may have already hit Western Canada, but are due to hit Ontario in January 2025. There is a related article battery testing safety that Aaron Lee from Atkins Realis in Ontario contributed in this edition of the CFAA Journal. It is a great read and adds to the discussion that Brett and I had. Please look...

Jun 17, 202426 minSeason 1Ep. 13

Ep12 - Troubleshooting tips

This episode was a great discussion with Brett Roach on some tips for troubleshooting and also some tips on dealing with your clients on site when there’s a trouble on the fire alarm panel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 03, 202416 minSeason 1Ep. 12

Ep 11 - ULC S561 Central Station Monitoring

This episode sees the return of Brent Early from Winnipeg Manitoba. Brent is very active in the local chapter of the Manitoba CFAA and brings an owner’s representative-perspective to the topic of off-site monitoring connections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 20, 202415 minSeason 1Ep. 11

Ep 10 - Women In Fire Alarm Part 3

We conclude our 3 part series in conversation with women in Fire Alarm. Recorded earlier this year in Winnipeg MB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 06, 202411 minSeason 1Ep. 10

Ep 9 - Software tools for reporting

This week’s episode is all about the latest tools being used to make reporting and compliance so much easier for fire alarm technicians, AHJ’s and End Users. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 29, 202420 minSeason 1Ep. 9
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