Project Software for Fire Alarm, Security and Low-Voltage Installers

Side-by-side comparison

Fire, security and low-voltage jobs it fits

ProtoPM runs install jobs that last days to months and end in a commissioning, a sign-off and a handover. Office and engineers work from the same project, from the site survey to the certificates.

• Fire alarm, emergency lighting and sprinkler installs, up to the acceptance test
• Refuge, disabled toilet alarm and nurse call systems
• Intruder alarms, CCTV and access control, including the alarm monitoring connection
• Structured cabling, fiber and Wi-Fi networks
• VoIP phone systems, including number porting and the go-live
• Meeting room AV, PA and voice alarm, hearing loops and digital signage
• Low-voltage packages on a new build, as a sub to an electrical or general contractor

From site survey to certificates and handover

Pick Low voltage & systems integration or Fire protection as your company's type and these jobs list first in Create project. The fire alarm template spreads these milestones across the job's dates:

1. Site survey.
2. System design & specification.
3. Order materials.
4. First fix: containment & cabling.
5. Second fix: devices & panels.
6. Program & configure.
7. Test & commission.
8. Certificates & handover.

In the field

• Inspections: fire alarm, sprinkler and refuge jobs start with an Acceptance test. Add checklist gives it six starter lines, and Record result logs the sign-off or the fixes.
• Punch list at handover: the fire alarm template adds the cause & effect test, sound levels, the zone plan, the logbook, the test certificates and the as-built drawings.
• Daily logs: engineers on site, work done, access problems and delays for each day.
• Files: keep the design certificate, the cause-and-effect matrix, test results and photos of each device with the job.

Money and change orders

• Change log: record extra devices, a re-routed cable run or a change the client asked for, with the cost and schedule impact, before you do the work.
• Budget and actuals in Financials, hidden from the client.
• Invoices: send stage and final invoices; invite the main contractor or client as a read-only Viewer who can see them.
• Risks: long-lead panels, network switches or a late ceiling close-up, tracked before they hold up the job.

How ProtoPM works

Free covers unlimited projects and people, your first company free (extra companies are an add-on), and 2 GB of storage per company (more is optional, from $5/mo per company). See every feature.

1. Sign up and create a project. A title is enough.
2. Financials: budget, actuals and invoices.
3. Schedule and Field: dates, daily logs and punch items.
4. Project Delivery: changes, risks and lessons learned.

Why teams pick ProtoPM

• $0 Free plan with no end date. No credit card.
• Sign up yourself. No demo call.
• Plain tabs for schedule, field, costs and changes.
• Projects and users are unlimited on Free; the core tools stay free. Optional company add-ons start at $5 CAD/mo when you need extras like more storage or branded documents — nobody pays per user.

When another tool wins

If most of your work is planned maintenance and callouts (service contracts, asset registers per site and dispatching engineers), a field-service or maintenance tool built for fire and security firms fits better. ProtoPM is for project work. It doesn't design systems, draw cause-and-effect matrices or dispatch engineers, so keep those tools, and large firms that need ERP integrations or single sign-on fit enterprise suites.

How to start

1. Sign up free.
2. Set your company type to Low voltage & systems integration, or Fire protection, so these jobs list first.
3. Create the job (for example, a fire alarm upgrade at a school) with dates and a budget.
4. Invite your engineers, and add the main contractor or client as a read-only Viewer.

Prefer a spreadsheet?

Start with a free Excel template (no account needed), then move the job into ProtoPM when the crew needs it.

Common questions

What is the best project management software for fire alarm installers?

For install projects, ProtoPM: a free plan with a fire alarm template from site survey to certificates and handover, an acceptance test with a starter checklist, and daily logs, punch, budgets and change orders. For maintenance contracts and callouts, a fire and security service app fits better.

Is there free software for fire and security installers?

Yes. ProtoPM Free costs $0 with no end date, for unlimited projects and users. No credit card.

Can I track the acceptance test and the handover certificates?

Yes. Fire alarm, sprinkler and refuge jobs add an Acceptance test in Field with a starter checklist. The punch list covers the test certificates, logbook and as-built drawings, and the files stay with the job.

Does it cover intruder alarms, CCTV, Wi-Fi, phone systems and AV?

Yes. Intruder alarm, IP cameras, access control, data network, fiber, Wi-Fi, VoIP phone system, meeting room AV, PA and voice alarm, hearing loop, digital signage and smart home each have a starter project type, and every row is editable.

Does ProtoPM design systems or dispatch engineers?

No. ProtoPM runs the job once it's won. Keep your design and cause-and-effect tools, and use a service app for maintenance visits and callouts.

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