Fire Protection Podcast

Inspect Point

The Fire Protection Podcast dives deep into topics of the fire protection industry. Fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, extinguishers and other life safety systems are discussed. Leaders from all over the world talk about new technologies and processes that are helping improve the fire safety community.

  • 40 minutes 15 seconds
    The Code Committee Insider: Fire Alarms, CO Detection & What’s Coming Next

    Dr. Roger Reiswig, Industry Liaison at Johnson Controls, joins Drew for a conversation spanning nearly 40 years of fire alarm industry experience. Roger started as a Simplex technician in 1986 and now represents JCI across NFPA, UL, FM, and international organizations including the European Alarm Association (Uralarm).

    Topics include how countries outside the US often adopt NFPA codes faster than US states, the differences between European EN standards and NFPA/UL requirements, Europe's mandatory smoke detector replacement cycles, the new 40-foot ceiling allowance for smoke detectors in NFPA 72, remote and automated inspection technology and its UL listing challenges, how UL and NFPA standards push each other forward, the birth of NFPA 3 and NFPA 4 for integrated testing (now showing up in building codes), Canada's ULC certification model, and the history of carbon monoxide detection moving from NFPA 720 into NFPA 72.

     

    Timestamps:

    0:00 - Cold open
    0:27 - Episode intro
    1:36 - Drew and Roger connect
    2:14 - Global adoption of NFPA codes
    3:39 - How aggressively other countries adopt new editions
    5:03 - Why US states are slow to adopt
    7:51 - Roger's career: Simplex technician to JCI liaison
    10:15 - European standards (EN) vs NFPA
    11:39 - Europe's smoke detector replacement requirements
    14:15 - Smoke detector placement at 40-foot ceilings
    17:08 - Remote and automated inspection technology
    20:34 - UL listing challenges for remote testing
    23:45 - Mass notification: UL 864 to UL 2572
    24:34 - The 2010 NFPA 72 scope change
    26:00 - NFPA 3 and NFPA 4 for integrated testing
    29:49 - Canada's ULC standards vs US
    32:13 - Carbon monoxide detection in NFPA 72
    36:52 - How CO detectors are tested
    39:11 - Wrap-up

     

    Learn more about Inspect Point: https://www.inspectpoint.com

    Request a demo: https://www.inspectpoint.com/get-a-demo

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspect-point

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspectpoint

    15 April 2026, 10:00 am
  • 43 minutes 55 seconds
    Behind the Scenes with IoT Monitoring: What Homeowners Miss About Electrical Fires

    Bob Marshall, CEO of Whisker Labs, joins Drew Slocum on Episode 92 to discuss Ting, the IoT sensor that monitors home electrical systems for arcing hazards before they become fires. In this episode:

    • How Ting takes 30 million electrical measurements per second from a single outlet
    • The on-device and cloud AI that detects electrical arcing using image recognition
    • 26,000+ hazards identified (and growing at 30 per day)
    • Real data from Hurricane Helene, the LA wildfires, and Winter Storm Fern
    • Why outlets, extension cords, and holiday lights are the most common hazards
    • How 35+ insurance partners provide Ting to homeowners for free
    • The 1.3 million sensor network monitoring the entire U.S. utility grid
    • What this means for the fire protection industry and commercial applications 

    Bob also shares the personal story behind founding Whisker Labs and how their fire safety team works directly with homeowners and electricians to find and fix problems before they cause fires.

    25 March 2026, 10:00 am
  • 48 minutes 29 seconds
    The Voice of the Sprinkler Trade: A Conversation with Chris Logan

    0:00 - Paper documents, hydrant flow testing, and lost inspection data

    04:59 - Deficiencies are not a gotcha game

    8:47 - Ontario Fire Code limits and NFPA 25 enforcement gaps

    15:23 - Strategic planning and involving Al

    20:20 - 2025 highlights, consistency, and "what I'd do differently"

    24:05 - Current state of the fire protection industry

    40:27 - Notable fire incidents & what we learned from real sprinkler activations

    46:20 - Closing thoughts and Chris's podcast

    22 January 2026, 11:00 am
  • 39 minutes 7 seconds
    2025 Fire & Life Safety Trends, Data, & What’s Next with John Mackey

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Why 2025 fire protection data matters

    02:47 2025 fire protection industry report preview

    06:28 Why fire protection businesses need a tech stack

    08:42 Inspection dollars vs service proposals

    11:46 Deficiency approvals and compliance platforms

    17:05 Common fire inspection deficiencies

    24:53 NFPA questions and inspection data quality

    29:42 Growth of regional fire protection companies

    36:40 2026 outlook and Al in fire inspection

    18 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 45 minutes 18 seconds
    AI & Fire Codes in Practice with Scott Reynolds from UpCodes
    In Episode 89, Drew Slocum welcomes Scott Reynolds, Co-Founder and CEO of UpCodes, for a deep dive into the future of building codes, AI-driven code research, and the growing need for accessible, reliable, and continually updated code information across the built environment. Scott shares the origin story of UpCodes, starting with his early career in architecture—working internationally in Hong Kong and later in New York City—where he experienced firsthand how difficult it is to navigate complex, fragmented, and frequently changing building and fire codes. That frustration eventually led Scott and his brother (a software engineer) to create UpCodes—a platform designed to unify, structure, and simplify access to codes and amendments across all 50 states and hundreds of local jurisdictions. Episode 89 provides an insightful look at how technology, transparency, and collaboration can reshape fire protection, design, and construction for the better.
    11 December 2025, 11:00 am
  • 36 minutes 32 seconds
    Smarter Workflows with AI in Fire Protection

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introducing today's guest

    01:57 - Launching the first Al agent

    04:19 - How AI adoption changes business processes

    06:58 - Code complexity in fire protection

    09:30 - Generative Al vs agentic Al explained

    12:10 - How data supports better decisions

    14:39 - FireCAD design assistant and design workflow gains

    18:56 - Passion, innovation, and industry growth

    19:49 - OEMs, contractors, and AI-enabled data flow

    25:24 - Using AI for simple tasks and avoiding hallucinations

    29:45 - The rapid shift toward AI in fire protection

    32:02- Favorite Al-themed films

    34:35 - Closing thoughts and future direction

    20 November 2025, 11:00 am
  • 35 minutes 32 seconds
    Tragedy, Testing, & Change: How Data Drives Fire Safety Reform

    In this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum sits down with Grant Lobdell, President of Dyne Fire Protection Labs, to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing the fire protection industry today—sprinkler testing and system maintenance.

    Grant shares insights on Dyne’s acquisition by NFPA Global Solutions and how this new initiative supports NFPA’s life safety mission. The conversation takes a serious turn as Drew and Grant unpack the tragic Fall River, Massachusetts fire, where recalled O-ring sprinkler heads failed to activate—an incident underscoring the critical importance of regular inspection, testing, and maintenance under NFPA 25.

    They also dive into the new partnership between Inspect Point and Dyne, designed to streamline how contractors and building owners identify, test, and replace aging or defective sprinklers. The episode closes with updates from Dyne’s lab on the transition from fluorinated foams to fluorine-free alternatives, and what that means for contractors navigating environmental regulations and system performance.

     

    Timestamps

    00:00 Intro and Episode Overview

    02:21 Meet Grant Lobdell and Dyne Labs

    07:32 O-Ring Recalls and Failure Rates

    11:15 NFPA 25 Testing Requirements

    18:00 Simplifying Inspections Through Partnerships

    21:07 Testing Cycles and Code Changes

    23:42 Interpreting Results and Owner Duties

    27:21 Foam Systems and Regulatory Updates

    34:48 Closing Remarks

    23 October 2025, 10:00 am
  • 36 minutes
    How JEM Systems is Powering the Next Generation of Fire Integrators

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

    02:15 Jason’s Background and GEM Systems

    03:40 Integrating Design, Engineering, and Distribution

    07:47 Navigating COVID-19 and Supply Chain Shifts

    12:06 Expanding into Sprinkler Design

    15:20 AI, Data Centers & Code Shifts

    17:44 Connectivity, Safety & Working Together

    22:17 Codes, Compliance, and Public Safety

    23:58 Efficiency, Software, and Real-Time Solutions

    26:22 From Soccer Fields to Fire Systems

    28:05 Business Growth, ERP, and Integration Challenges

    32:10 Training, Partnerships, and Future Initiatives

    34:25 Where to Find GEM Systems and Closing Remarks

    8 October 2025, 10:00 am
  • 49 minutes 47 seconds
    Codes That Save Lives: A Conversation with NFPA’s Jim Pauley

    00:00 Introduction & Conference Recap
    03:50 Jim's Background, NFPA's History and Mission
    10:49 Public Awareness & "Code for Every Moment" Campaign
    14:15 NFPA's Fire & Life Safety Ecosystem
    16:18 Reverse Renovations with Jonathan Scott
    18:23 Real-World Code Application & Lessons from Tragedies
    21:54 How Codes and Standards Are Written
    24:43 Code Update Cycles and Politics
    28:58 Making Codes Approachable and Industry Sustainability
    39:08 Al's Role and Risks in Fire Protection
    43:12 The Nuances of Codes, Standards, and Al
    46:52 Closing Thoughts and Passion for the Job

    17 September 2025, 10:00 am
  • 36 minutes 38 seconds
    Recurring Revenue & Customer Service in Fire Protection with Karsten Smith

    Timestamps

    00:00 Welcome & Introduction

    02:35 Karsten’s Journey into Fire Protection

    07:26 Why Recurring Revenue Matters

    09:32 Turning Installs into Service Contracts

    11:13 Customer Service as a Growth Driver

    13:09 AHJ Compliance Platforms & Industry Shifts

    14:28 Navigating Local Jurisdiction Challenges

    18:18 Risk Management and System Types

    19:33 Karsten’s Favorite Systems to Work On

    24:45 Suppression Systems & Market Competition

    26:19 Restaurant Stories from the Field

    28:15 Embracing Technology and AI in Fire Protection

    33:02 Private Equity & The Industry’s Future

    34:48 ACE Fire’s Online Presence

    35:41 Closing Takeaways

    4 September 2025, 10:00 am
  • 43 minutes 21 seconds
    Why Training is the Best ROI in Fire Protection – with Rob Stewart of Fire Tech

    Timestamps

    00:00 Introducing Rob Stewart and Fire Tech

    02:51 Real-World Fire Protection Stories

    06:36 Rob’s Background and Industry Goals

    09:10 Fire Protection Training Needs & Demographics

    11:48 Cross-Training Between Sprinkler & Alarm Disciplines

    14:35 Documentation Challenges & The Role of the Back Office

    20:00 Evolving Codes, Jurisdictional Differences, and AHJ Influence

    22:24 Updating Training to NFPA & NICET Standards

    24:16 Regional Code Variations

    25:37 Digital Documentation vs. Static Forms

    29:12 Building a Company-Wide Training Plan

    33:13 The ROI of Training: Real Cost-Savings Examples

    40:50 Personal Reflections: Lake Havasu & Industry Insights

    42:13 Closing Thoughts

    14 August 2025, 5:00 pm
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