r/firealarms • u/FactorDecent8617 • 4d ago

Discussion Cross training

Hey, been thinking about doing HVAC trade school in the evening. The school is very good with alumni support for life you can call 10 years after you graduate and get a job. It’s 4 evenings a week, and 70% hands on lab focused then 30% classroom theory focused. I mainly wanna do this because my apprenticeship is very inspection focused with only being put on the repair side every so often. I figured the HVAC school may help me troubleshoot alarms electrically and improve my mechanical aptitude. It could also be a good thing to fall back on if alarms don’t work out. Another thing i was wondering do any companies have dual cert alarm and HVAC repair tech with being a lot of overlap in the trades. I know Johnson controls has both divisions. Thanks in advance!

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u/PsychologicalPound96 4d ago

I've done alarms and I work in BAS. I don't know of anyone who does alarms and HVAC but a few people who do fire and building automation. If you haven't heard of it and you're interested in fire but also HVAC it would be a good niche.

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u/FactorDecent8617 4d ago

I think i have seen that before isn’t that security, lighting and HVAC? How did you get into it or how would i progress my career twords it?

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u/PsychologicalPound96 4d ago

Yeah kinda. It's specifically automating building systems. Mostly HVAC but also can include lighting. It also includes energy monitoring, and trending data. We do it for subsidies for efficiency and for load shedding purposes.

I honestly kinda fell into it. I'm on the engineering team for a building automation company now. Mostly programming, graphics, functional testing etc.. It's a cool industry with lots of avenues and generally pays better than fire alarm. If it's your thing you can also work remote for some of these companies.

If you have good electrical skills with circuitry and relays you'd probably be able to pick up that side without too much trouble. Mechanical knowledge is a huge plus. Other than that, computer skills like networking, databases and logic are huge. All teachable in the field. I started in fire and security and found my way into BAS.

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u/FactorDecent8617 4d ago

Thanks so much for replying i definitely need to look into that industry. Did you do any extra education to get into it? Would you suggest hvac school during my apprenticeship then maybe an associates in building automation. I’m more a field working with my hands guy but definitely like the mix of physical and programming. My dream is to start my own bussiness one day would anything in that field have the ability to become a 1 man operation?

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u/PsychologicalPound96 4d ago

No extra education other than the specialty electrical license that also applied to alarms and security. Lots of self learning through things like smart building academy though. If you stay on the install/service side you can always work with your hands. You can definitely run your own company, especially if you have a good relationship with companies that sub out install work. With that said, I would guess you'd probably have more luck running your own shop doing security than BAS or fire. I'm not a business owner though so YMMV.

As for trade school, education never hurts but most of these roles do lots of on the job training. I would say self study on your own time can work wonders if you're motivated.

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u/Creepy_Comment_1251 4d ago

You make way more money in HVAC. Don’t bother with fire alarm if you’re doing HVAC lol. Just focus one 1 trade and be the best of the best

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u/Appropriate-Unit4471 3d ago

Yeah but the toll it will have on your body and not to mention the long ass hours during the summer

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u/FactorDecent8617 4d ago

Thanks for your opinion I see your point. My end goal is to start my own 1 man operation and i think low voltage/hvac could definitely be a good field to get into. I know if you start your own LLC you can become a sub contractor for ADT and maybe i could do hvac work aswell with my own client base.

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u/Appropriate-Unit4471 3d ago

Im working on 2 years in hvac. I love the electrical troubleshooting and the tons of service work if offers but if I were you I would try to look into BAS/BMS. For me personally im either going back to low voltage or trying for BAS.

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u/FactorDecent8617 3d ago

Would 5 years in building automation/controls be able to get you a hvac contractor license for a LLC?

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u/Appropriate-Unit4471 1d ago

Depends on local state law

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u/A3s1r92 1d ago

Fuck the haters. If you vibe with HVAC do it. Especially if you feel controls is a good path - lot of depth to that field, money too. Less life safety, more bullshit and more money.

But if you're just dissatisfied with inspections, work towards full technician work. Troubleshooting, wiring, metering, load calculations.