More About Fire Supression

P

Parker

New member
This topic has been posted here before but here is why I am posting it again.
I need the help of anyone who does fire supression service.

I own a Hood Cleaning company and have been in business for 10 years. (2 man crews only please). I am currently pursuing obtaining my license for servicing fire supression systems in restaurants. I have been losing more accounts (not many but enough) than I care to because I do not offer this service.

I have met with the Deputy Fire Marshall and he seemed quite knowledgeable and a good guy. He will grant me my license IF I can convince him I have the knowledge/skill to deserve the license. One of many requirements to obtain your license is to have at least two years of work experience with fire supression systems. (This is in California-bay area by the way) Since I do not have two years of fire supression experience I will have to show him at a restaurant a complete fire supression service. (Assuming I will pass my written tests!) He will forego the two years of work experience but his words to me were, "I will not grant you a license of I am not 100% sure in your work, because then I become liable for granting you that license." Makes sense to me!

So I have some convicing to do! Now I do know these systems pretty well. In my area Ansul R102 is the system primarily used. I have been working in and around these systems night in and night out for 13 years. And yes I have set off a total of 4 systems in my 13 years. (One where the dishcharge nozzle was point blank in my face- Hear the click:close your eyes, hold your breath and SWOOSH!) But I digress, I understand how the systems work (i.e. fusable links, discharge nozzles, supply lines, PRM, pulley tees, MRM, series detectors, gas valves, etc.) I have read all NFPA 96 requirements pertaining to service and installations of fire supression systems. I have the maintenance and recharge manuals for Amerex, Ansul, Pyrochem, Badger, etc.. which I have read and studied. I am going to a certification school back East for 12 different manufactures. It is supposed to be an intense two day course, they said don't bother coming if you don't have some experience in the industry. The point I am making is I do feel like I know these systems and how to service them pretty well.

Here is where my question comes in. For those of you that do fire supression service I ask for your help. Let me come to you for some on-the-job training. I don't necessarily need someone to teach me everything as I have the basics(although I am a good student) but more to supervise me to make sure I am doing things correctly as well as answer many questions I will have. I need to build a little on-the-job confidence!

Now here is what I offer in return. CASH!

I don't have alot of it but it is a pretty good motivator so I will cough it up if necessary. If you are a little shorthanded and need some free labor I will do your hoodcleaning, rebuild your tranny in your van, or mow your lawns. I have been cleaning hoods for 13 years so we could trade notes on procedures as I think I have an efficient, unique processes to get the job done. I have spent about 8k in custom software for scheduling and operating my business which may be helpful to you. I offer whatever I have or know in fair trade for your knowledge. And if what I know isn't worth crap to you, then we still have the CASH option! If I can get some on-the-job experience I can go back with enough confidence to make the deputy beg me to accept his license!
Finally, I want to express my desire for the quality and improvement of this industry. The stories I could share like many of you are eye-opening. The risk some companies are willing to take because of cutting corners or laziness is mind boggling. We take on new accounts that were cleaned last month yet the original installation screws are still securing the fan housing to the base since day one. Open it up and PHOOEHY! (Before & After photos at every job please!)
I see alot of the same with the fire supression too! Unarmed systems, sytems nowhere near code, out of date tags (by 2 years) even systems that were discharged and then never recharged. We carry literally millions of dollars in insurance but I sleep well (during the day) because I know when me or my crew left a restaurant we left nothing but bare metal. I want to hold that same standard for the fire supression service that I will be offering.

Sorry for being so long winded for a post that should probably only be a few sentances but that is my nature. So if you do fire supression service as a part of your business and you can help, and I can offer something in return (Lawnmowing, cash, etc...) reply with a post or shoot me an E-mail.

Thanks,
Parker
ventinc@comcast.net
 
Well let's see, 'Parker' - almost 2 years ago you posted that you had been in business for 13 years and had a large operation. Did you retire for a couple of years and now are re-entering the business? Were you incarcerated for a couple of years? If the latter then, for the last 2 years, you probably have been associated with many career hood cleaners. It is hard to believe that, given the time you have been in the business you have not aligned yourself nor made a compact with a fire protection specialist. There are many who concentrate on this aspect and will leave the cleaning to you, thus preserving your accounts. It is a win-win.

Richard
 
PARKER,
I am not sure what the reasons are but I tried about two years ago to get help on Both Pressure wash boards and No one is much Help..
Mark
 
I would go with RJ's suggestion and stick to grease. There are plenty of Ansul companies that wont take your business and you can just focus on the grease and be the best at that. If you get in to other areas, you run the risk of neglecting the exhaust cleaning. Here is a perfect example of what can happen when you become focosed on other things besides cleaning grease. This is one of those companies that tries to do it all, and they do everything ok but nothing they do is great. The rest of this system looked ok but I have a feeling that the guy who owns this company doesnt have time to focus too much on his grease with all the other stuff that is going on. If I ever caught one of my guys doing this kind of work I would strap him to a pole and use his body to swap this duct out like a Q-tip.
 
Last edited:
Well, lets see "RJ Travel" if thats your real name.


Why yes I was incarcerated for the last two years and much of your family wanted me to send you their regards. I believe a couple of them may actually make parole this time. (Playing sarcastic jabs on messages boards is really quite childish isn't it!).

Why yes I have "aligned my self with some fellow hood cleaners (all honest law obdiding citizens) none of who do fire supression though. And there are many, many fire supression companys with who I could align myself within the areas I work. (Thanks for the idea that I am sure nobody else has probably ever thought of!)

But I don't want to align myself with another company I want to do it myself. My final solution is to go get a job with one of these many companies, I already have 2 interviews set up, and spend 2 years if I have to to get the training I need.

Honestly though that would be a BRUTAL schedule trying to run my company and hold down a job, plus I haven't had a "job" in thirteen years. (give or take a few months for RJTravels sake) But I will do whatever it takes, I just am taking a shot in the dark here and thought I would put the word out on what I want to do.

Thanks for all the sarcastic insight though "R.J."- very helpful indeed!


MIMobileWash-
Honestly I will be suprised if I get a response also. Just thought I would give it a try. The reasons are probably because the guy who knows the industry is saying, "Why should I teach someone a trade that I have the skill for and they don't. Whats in it for me?"

And of course I don't blame them, If someone came to me and said, "Teach me hoods, Teach me hoods!" I would ask the same question. Now if someone said, "teach me hoods I will PAY you!", will that might raise my eybrow a little bit. That is my angle here.

Bottom line is I am looking for a little bit of a shortcut here, (a time saver) and its fine when your the one cutting in line, but nobody wants to be the one to get cut in front of!"

The certification school for fire supression that I am going to is very intense but very thorough. Let me know if you want any information on it!
 
mbryan-

That is always good advice and I do appreciate it. I may have overstated that I lost accounts because I don't offer the service. I lost 2 restaurants literally, and no big deal, like all the good hood cleaners know, most likely I will get them back sooner or later!.

However when focusing on new accounts I am very often askes if we do fire supression service also. I may turn it into something profitable and I may not do anything with it. But I want to get licensed so I have the option. Options are always good!

There is a fact in business. With growth comes loss of quality. My job is to absolutely minimize any quality loss of work. That is why I still go out and work nearly every night. So if I grow in just in hoods I will have quality issues, always have in the past and always will in the future. If I grow in fire supression same thing.

I just have to make the right decisions at the right time to keep on top of the game. If you haven't surmized by now, I am the MICROMANAGER from hell. I am peeling years off my life as we speak!
 
Fire supression companies that also offer "grease" are my favorite.
Their "work" on the grease is the best advertisement money could buy for our services.

Grease should be left to the "experts" and likewise for fire supression.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top