Sean Guthrie, Proprietor

Sean Guthrie has over 40 years’ experience in the fire protection and low voltage fields.  He has been a licensed Alarm Contractor 1 in the state of Florida for 30 years and held a Florida Fire Protection Contractor 1 license for 24 years.

Sean began his career in 1979 as an electrician, installing his first fire alarm system in 1980.  From there his experience grew to include chemical fire suppression systems, security, fire sprinkler, CCTV, MATV, nurse call, sound, access control and automation systems.  In 1990 he entered the full service fire protection market in its infancy and has been instrumental in several companies’ growth in that arena.

Sean successfully challenged the Florida Alarm Contractor 1 license in 1993 and the Fire Protection Contractor 1 license in 1995.

His experience includes projects in every type of facility in Florida; such as healthcare, educational, commercial, high rise, utility plants, phosphate mines, military installations and DOD contractors.

From 1996 – 2019 Sean engaged in teaching technicians, AHJ’s and end users how to operate, inspect, maintain, alter and install fire alarm, protection, suppression and low voltage systems.  He has authored many courses in the use, installation and maintenance of these systems.

Sean is a Past President of the Alarm Association of Florida and served on the board of directors of the Florida Fire Sprinkler Association from 2010-2019.  He is currently a member of the Automatic Fire Alarm Association and is active in with other groups in legislative affairs concerning the industry.  He is a member of NFPA and ICC, while also a course accreditor for the Florida Building Code Commission.

Sean was hired as the Alarm Association’s Executive Director in 2019.  He served in this capacity until late 2022.

At the beginning of 2023 Sean formed Ross Systems, LLC to offer his considerable experience to alarm contractors and others.  Ross Systems currently offers alarm design & drafting, code consulting, company marketing and expansion services.