ADT 2009 Annual Report Download - page 97

Services and Products
Fire Protection Services designs, sells, installs and services fire alarm and fire detection systems,
automatic fire sprinkler systems and special hazard suppression systems. Fire Protection Services
operates under various leading trade names, including SimplexGrinnell, Wormald, Mather & Platt, Dong
Bang, Zettler and Tyco. A significant portion of the components used in our fire detection and fire
suppression systems are manufactured by our Safety Products segment.
Fire Protection Services offers a wide range of fire alarm and fire detection systems. These alarm
and detection systems include fire alarm control panels, advanced fire alarm monitoring systems,
smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors, voice evacuation systems and emergency lighting systems.
Fire Protection Services also offers a wide range of fire suppression systems, the majority which are
water-based sprinkler systems. In addition, Fire Protection Services provides custom designed special
hazard suppression systems, which incorporate specialized extinguishing agents such as foams, dry
chemicals and gases, in addition to spill control products designed to absorb, neutralize and solidify
spills of hazardous materials. These systems are often especially suited to fire suppression in certain
manufacturing, power generation, petrochemical, offshore oil exploration, transportation, data
processing, telecommunications, commercial food preparation, mining and marine applications.
Fire Protection Services installs fire detection and fire suppression systems in both new and
existing buildings. These systems typically are purchased by owners, construction engineers and
electrical contractors as well as mechanical or general contractors. In recent years, retrofitting of
existing buildings has grown as a result of legislation mandating the installation of fire detection and
fire suppression systems, especially in hotels, healthcare facilities and educational establishments. In
addition, in September 2008, the International Residential Code Council, a non-profit association that
develops model code documents that are the predominant building and fire safety regulations adopted
by jurisdictions in the United States, adopted proposals to amend the 2009 International Residential
Code to require sprinkler systems in new one and two family dwellings effective in January 2011. This
national code must now be adopted by each state / fire district and be incorporated into the local
building codes in order to be applied to any new homes being built in that area. The timing of
adoption will vary by state / district. Fire Protection Services also continues to focus on system
maintenance and inspection, which have become increasingly significant parts of its business.
Customers
Fire Protection Services’ customers include commercial enterprises, governmental entities, airports,
commercial shipping companies, fire departments, transportation systems, healthcare facility owners,
petrochemical facilities and homeowners. We market our fire detection and fire suppression systems to
the majority of these customers through a direct sales force.
Competition
Competition in the fire detection and fire suppression business varies by region. In North America,
we compete with hundreds of smaller contractors on a regional or local basis for the installation of fire
detection and fire suppression systems. In Europe, we compete with many regional or local contractors
on a country-by-country basis. In Asia, Australia and New Zealand, we compete with a few large fire
detection and fire suppression contractors, as well as with many smaller regional and local companies.
We compete for fire detection and fire suppression systems contracts primarily on the basis of service,
quality and price.
Electrical and Metal Products
Our Electrical and Metal Products segment designs, manufactures and sells galvanized steel tubing
and pipe products, pre-wired armored electrical cables, electrical support systems and metal framing
2009 Financials 5