In the February 2024 issue, I introduced the what rules – the category of rules that tell us what to install in a building, typically segmented by occupancy classification and maximum allowable ...

Occupant Load Determines Fire Code Application – Occupant load calculations help identify which fire alarm and safety regulations apply. Mixed-Use Buildings Must Consider Combined Loads – When ...

Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and ...

Home security systems—once the exclusive domain of high-priced professional installers—have never been more affordable, and the hardware and software is simpler, more intuitive, and easier to set up ...

Smart alarm systems are to old hard-wired systems what Netflix is to cable. Gone are the days of mandatory multi-year contracts, wires running down widow frames, and keypads requiring home phone lines ...

The best DIY home security systems are affordable and easy to set up without a professional. NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrityMany or all of the products on this page are from partners ...