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Career Details

49-2098.00 - Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers


Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
64,000
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
72,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
+8,200
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+12.9%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation.
  • Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
  • Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
  • Inspect installation sites and study work orders, building plans, and installation manuals to determine materials requirements and installation procedures.
  • Adjust sensitivity of units, based on room structures and manufacturers' recommendations, using programming keypads.
  • Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
  • Drill holes for wiring in wall studs, joists, ceilings, or floors.
  • Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
  • Consult with clients to assess risks and to determine security requirements.
  • Keep informed of new products and developments.
  • Mount raceways and conduits and fasten wires to wood framing, using staplers.
  • Order replacement parts.
  • Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.
  • Test backup batteries, keypad programming, sirens, or other security features to ensure proper functioning or to diagnose malfunctions.
Supplemental
  • Provide customers with cost estimates for equipment installation.
  • Prepare documents, such as invoices or warranties.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 81%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 74%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 73%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Telecommunications
  • 72%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Building and Construction
  • 66%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 63%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 English Language
  • 62%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Mechanical
  • 62%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Education and Training
  • 61%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Mathematics
  • 58%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Production and Processing
  • 55%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Administration and Management
  • 51%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Channel lock pliers
  • Needlenose pliers
 Cutting and crimping and punching tools
  • Bayonet Neill-Concelman BNC cable strippers
  • Crimping lugs
  • Razor knives
  • Spade lugs
  • Wire cutting tools
 Tool attachments and accessories
  • Bayonet Neill-Concelman BNC crimpers
 Soldering machines
  • Butane soldering irons
  • Electric soldering irons
 Forming tools
  • Claw hammers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Color bar generators
  • Electrical frequency meters
  • Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR
  • Tone generators
  • Vectorscopes
 Power tools
  • Cordless drills
  • Hammer drills
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digital ohmmeters
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Digital voltmeters DVM
  • Field strength meters
  • Precision phasemeters
  • Volt-ohm meters VOM
 Ladders and scaffolding
  • Extension ladders
  • Rolling scaffolds
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Flat blade screwdrivers
  • Jeweler's flat blade screwdrivers
  • Jeweler's Phillips screwdrivers
  • Offset socket wrench sets
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
 Pulling tools
  • Flexible wire pullers
  • Wire pullers
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
 Aerial lifts
  • Personnel lifts
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Word processing software
 Networking software
  • Microsoft Hyperterminal
 Operating environment software
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Mountain Empire Community College
New River Community College
Southside Virginia Community College