Fire Protection Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Power of FireCAD: Efficiency & Accuracy in Fire Protection Apr 24, 2025

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Host Drew Slocum sits down with August and Tony Conte of FireCAD to discuss the recent acquisition by Inspect Point and what it means for the future of the industry. Hear directly from August about his incredible 60-year journey in fire alarm and how FireCAD was born out of a need for better, faster design tools. Tony dives into how FireCAD is revolutionizing fire alarm system design, saving companies valuable time and money by eliminating manual errors and inefficiencies. Discover their vision for connecting design and inspection workflows, creating a seamless experience from start to finish. If you're in fire protection, you won't want to miss this conversation about innovation, collaboration, and the future of the industry!

Mission Critical Fire Protection with Lee Kaiser Apr 09, 2025

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In this engaging podcast episode, host Drew Slocum welcomes fire protection expert Lee Kaiser from ORR Protection for an in-depth conversation covering a wide array of industry topics. From the cultural buzz around the Kentucky Derby to the critical importance of data center fire safety and the evolving challenges of lithium-ion battery protection, Lee shares his expertise and insights. Lee and Drew get into the future of remote inspections, the benefits of data monitoring in fire systems, and the exciting trends in special hazard fire protection, all while highlighting Orr Protection's national reach and commitment to a positive company culture.

Fire Doors & Dampers: An NFPA Overview with Shawn Mahoney Mar 19, 2025

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Shawn Mahoney from NFPA joins The Fire Protection Podcast in this episode to discuss the challenges and solutions surrounding fire doors and dampers. The episode explores why these critical elements of passive fire protection sometimes get overlooked in favor of active systems like sprinklers and fire alarms. Shawn explains the code requirements (NFPA 80 and 105), the inspection process, and the crucial role of education and enforcement in ensuring these systems function correctly. Drew and Shawn also address the issue of accessibility for dampers and the potential for integrating fire door and damper inspections into existing compliance platforms.

A Firefighter's Perspective on the Fire Protection Industry Feb 26, 2025

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Join host Drew Slocum as he chats with Jeff Pirro, a volunteer firefighter and sales professional at Inspect Point, on this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast! Jeff shares his unique perspective, growing up with a firefighter father and now serving his community as a volunteer. They discuss the critical role of fire safety and prevention, emphasizing the importance of residential fire sprinklers and the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires. Tune in for insights on the latest fire safety technology, the need for ongoing training and collaboration between firefighters and fire protection professionals, and a look at the proposed sprinkler bill in New York State. Don't miss this engaging conversation on The Fire Protection Podcast!

Understanding the Code Process in Fire Protection with Jason Webb Jan 22, 2025

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On this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum talks with Jason Webb, a fire protection expert and recovering AHJ, about the intricacies of fire protection codes and standards. Jason discusses his career journey from firefighter paramedic to his role in the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) and his work with Potter. Tune in to hear a discussion on the differences between the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, the code adoption process across states and jurisdictions, and the challenges of keeping up with the latest codes. Drew and Jason also discuss the NFPA code development process, the role of technical committees, and the impact of specific NFPA codes like 3, 4, and 915 on the industry.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Crisis: Amerex's Strategies for Protection and Prevention Jan 08, 2025

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In this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum talks with Ben Pitts and Jamie Knowles of Amerex, the world's leading fire extinguisher manufacturer, about lithium-ion battery fires and the challenges of putting them out. They discuss the importance of using the right fire extinguisher for the job and highlight some of the latest trends in fire protection, including the growing popularity of gas detection systems for electric vehicles.

Giving Tuesday with Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Dec 03, 2024

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In this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, powered by Inspect Point, host Drew Slocum interviews Victor Stagnaro, the CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The episode is being released on Giving Tuesday, and for every demo booked in December, Inspect Point will donate $100 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Victor describes the work of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, including their efforts to support the families of fallen firefighters. The foundation also works to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries through education and training. Victor and Drew discuss the fire protection industry and some of the challenges that firefighters face, including the increased risk of cancer and mental health issues. They also talk about the importance of fire prevention and the role of sprinkler systems in reducing firefighter fatalities. To donate to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, visit firehero.org.

Transforming Fire Protection: A Conversation with Jensen Hughes CEO Raj Arora Nov 20, 2024

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On this episode of the Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum welcomes Raj Arora, CEO of Jensen Hughes, a global leader in fire protection engineering and consulting. Raj shares his journey from selling fire alarm systems to leading a global firm, offering insights into the evolving landscape of fire protection. They discuss: - The impact of private equity: How has it shaped the industry, and what does the future hold? - Emerging trends: From wildfires and lithium-ion batteries to the resurgence of nuclear power, how is the industry adapting to new challenges? - The role of technology: How is AI and digitalization transforming fire protection and creating new opportunities?

Raquel Gomez on Starting a Fire Protection Business as a Veteran Nov 11, 2024

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Follow Raquel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgomezmarvetfire/

Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/

Inspect Point is a cloud-based solution that supports fire and life safety professionals in their mission to make the world more secure. The web-based backend and a powerful mobile application enable companies to run their entire business from inspection to collection with one platform. Featuring a library of built-in NFPA & UL-C templates, Inspect Point is the most comprehensive fire protection platform on the market today. As technology advances, Inspect Point will support the fire protection industry each step of the way. Learn more about Inspect Point:

https://www.inspectpoint.com

The State of Sprinkler Manufacturing & Systems with Jim McHugh Oct 16, 2024

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Take the survey to be part of our 2025 Fire & Life Safety Report: https://engage.inspectpoint.com/fpp-ep-70-fls-report-survey

AGF Manufacturing: https://agfmfg.com/

Follow Jim McHugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mchugh-agf/

Connect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-slocum-65aa4233/