Occupation

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
3 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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

Also Known As: Access Control Technician, Alarm Adjuster, Alarm Installation Tech (Alarm Installation Technician), Alarm Installer, Alarm Service Tech (Alarm Service Technician), Alarm Technician, Burglar Alarm Inspector, Burglar Alarm Installer +35 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
  2. Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
  3. Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
  4. Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
  5. Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.
  6. Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation.
  7. Test backup batteries, keypad programming, sirens, or other security features to ensure proper functioning or to diagnose malfunctions.
  8. Drill holes for wiring in wall studs, joists, ceilings, or floors.
  9. Inspect installation sites and study work orders, building plans, and installation manuals to determine materials requirements and installation procedures.
  10. Consult with clients to assess risks and to determine security requirements.
  11. Mount raceways and conduits and fasten wires to wood framing, using staplers.
  12. Adjust sensitivity of units, based on room structures and manufacturers' recommendations, using programming keypads.
  13. Keep informed of new products and developments.
  14. Order replacement parts.

Supplemental Tasks (2)

  1. Prepare documents, such as invoices or warranties.
  2. Provide customers with cost estimates for equipment installation.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
49%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
41%
Some College Courses
8%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
2%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (13)

  • Exacq Technologies software
  • Microsoft Hyperterminal
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Operating system software
  • Traceroute
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (46)

  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Battery analyzers
  • Bayonet Neill-Concelman BNC cable strippers
  • Bayonet Neill-Concelman BNC crimpers
  • Bubble levels
  • Butane soldering irons
  • Channel lock pliers
  • Claw hammers
  • Color bar generators
  • Cordless drills
  • Crimping lugs
  • Decibel meters
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digital ohmmeters
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Digital voltmeters DVM
  • Electric soldering irons
  • Electrical frequency meters
  • Extension ladders
  • Fiber optics testers
  • Field strength meters
  • Flat blade screwdrivers
  • Flexible wire pullers
  • Hammer drills
  • Inductive probes
  • Jeweler's Phillips screwdrivers
  • Jeweler's flat blade screwdrivers
  • Laptop computers
  • Needlenose pliers
  • Offset socket wrench sets
  • Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Personnel lifts
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Portable video monitors
  • Precision phasemeters
  • Razor knives
  • Rolling scaffolds
  • Spade lugs
  • Staple guns
  • Telephone test sets
  • Tone generators
  • Vectorscopes
  • Volt-ohm meters VOM
  • Wire cutting tools
  • Wire pullers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 3
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