What is an expert?

According to Merriam-Webster, an expert is someone "...having or showing special skill or knowledge because of what you have been taught or what you have experienced."

Great. 

According to social media, everyone is an expert....pick a subject-it doesn't matter....everyone is an expert. 

According to the real world, an expert is someone who knows more about a subject than you do. Yes. To you, someone that speaks with authority in a subject that you don't know too much about.....is an expert. 

That's ok if you're discussing flowering plants, or craft beers, or shoe polish. But NOT when the subject matter is fire protection. 

A true expert in the fire protection industry is highly trained, with tens of thousands of hours in the field. The true expert hasn't "seen it all" or "done it all".

The true expert is always learning; always training, always asking questions. Always bettering themselves. 

If you are hiring a fire protection contractor, they SHOULD be an expert. That's why you are paying them to do the job. You wouldn't want someone working on your system if they only had a few years of experience under their belt. 

Would you let someone with minimal experience put a new engine in your car? Or let them install a new brake system in your car? I'm guessing "no".

So don't let that same lack of experience into your world of fire protection.

Believe me. 

Don't be afraid to interview potential vendors. Ask them about their experience. Their training. Their continuing education. Their certifications. And verify with them that everyone that works for their company has these qualifications....not just the guy who holds the business license. 

Don't be afraid to ask these same questions to the technician who comes to work on your system. A true expert will be happy to answer all of your questions. 

When it comes to fire protection systems....you only get one chance to do it right.

321FireProtection.com

484-321-FIRE