The Electronic Security Association’s Certified Fire Alarm Technician (CFAT) Fire certification provides an alternative equivalency to the NICET requirement for industry professionals that perform installation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and programming of fire alarm systems.
The flexibility of ESA’s training options is an asset in an industry where those who need training spend most of their time in the field.
codes and standards
To put together training courses, ESA works closely with subject matter experts who are well-versed in the codes and standards for commercial and residential fire alarm systems, including NFPA 72, life safety codes, and building codes.
ESA also consults fire marshals to make sure the program aligns with their expectations
ESA also consults fire marshals to make sure the program aligns with their expectations and collects their feedback to make enhancements to the curriculum and training materials as needed. They also get input from ESA’s Codes and Standards Committee.
Training and service
“We pride ourselves on the training component and the service component where we really look to make the process of getting credentialing easy, quick, and efficient,” notes Michelle Yungblut, ESA’s Chief Knowledge Officer.
ESA has several options for training, enabling trainees to choose the experience that benefits them the most. Online courses support self-paced learning. Those who prefer a more interactive format can opt for live, instructor-led classes that are held virtually.
ESA’s Certified programs
For states like Washington, where the fire alarm industry must abide by many regulations, waiting for NICET certifications to get approved can put a chokehold on getting techs onto the job site.
Not only does this impact a business’s ability to serve its customers well, but it also damages its bottom line.
ESA’s Certified Fire Alarm Technician and Certified Fire Alarm Designer program can process qualified applicants’ certification requests in a matter of weeks instead of months.
The fire alarm certification process
ESA’s fire alarm certification process is designed to support subject matter expertise
ESA’s flexible training options allow techs to learn valuable information, use it in the field in real-time, and succeed at testing. Currently approved by twelve jurisdictions across the country, ESA’s fire alarm certification process is designed to support subject matter expertise.
For businesses that design and install fire alarms, making sure that technicians are trained and credentialed entails a significant allocation of resources.
NICET certifications
Typically, states that require certification approve NICET certifications for fire alarms. The process to obtain NICET certification can be tedious and inefficient process.
“There are not a lot of training opportunities that allow techs to learn the information needed and let you achieve a NICET certification equivalent at the end of the course and there are none where you can actually achieve NICET certification at the end of the course without going through NICET,” remarks Casey Williams, Senior Product Enablement Manager at ADT Commercial.
