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The Authority of Experience
The Authority of Experience
Justin Rutledge, NICET Level IV Fire Alarm Systems
Justin Rutledge, NICET Level IV Fire Alarm Systems
Founder, Apex Fire Consulting
Founder, Apex Fire Consulting
"I’ve spent my career ensuring that life safety systems work when they are needed most. From pulling wire starting in 2004 to managing multi-state divisions now, and serving as a career firefighter since 2012, I’ve seen the life safety industry from every possible angle. Apex Fire Consulting was founded to bring that 360-degree perspective to your project."
The Evolution of Expertise
The Evolution of Expertise
From the Field to the Front Lines
My journey began in 2000 where I started my experience as a volunteer firefighter. Then in 2004 as a field technician, learning the fire alarm trade from the ground up, one wire and one component at a time. That foundational experience led me to manage the Fire and Life Safety division for a premier Mid-Atlantic electrical and low voltage firm.
In 2012, I answered a second calling and became a Career Firefighter. For over a decade, I have balanced the leadership of a major life safety division with the real-world responsibilities of fire suppression. This dual-path has given me an unparalleled understanding of how systems are designed, how they are installed, and most importantly, how they perform during an emergency.
The Apex Portfolio
The Apex Portfolio
No Project Too Small. No Facility Too Large.
Over the last 20+ years, I have successfully navigated the compliance landscape for a massive range of projects across Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, including:
Massive Logistics: 1 Million+ sq. ft. warehouses.
Urban Infrastructure: High-rise residential and commercial towers.
Complex Multi-Family: Large apartment complexes and converted historical rowhomes.
The Regional Advantage
In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, I have spent years building a relationship of mutual respect with local AHJs. When I put my name on a submittal, the Fire Marshal knows it comes from a place of technical accuracy and professional integrity.
Why I Founded Apex
Why I Founded Apex
Elevating the Standard
I founded Apex Fire Consulting because I realized my deepest value to the industry lies in strategic oversight and technical leadership. While I remain dedicated to the trade, I recognized that my 25 years of cross-disciplinary knowledge—spanning from the front lines of the fire service to the complexities of system design—was being underutilized in daily field labor. I wanted to shift my focus toward empowering other firms, providing the high-level technical authority and 'Qualified Individual' representation they need to expand their capabilities and grow their businesses with confidence.
At Apex, I don’t just "rubber stamp" plans. I use my Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to ensure your project is a model of compliance, saving you time, money, and most importantly, protecting lives.
"The First Responder’s Lens"
"The First Responder’s Lens"
Most consultants view life safety systems simply as a series of codes to be satisfied. At Apex, we view them as tactical tools.
Because of my background as a career firefighter, my technical philosophy is rooted in the reality of the emergency scene. When I audit a system or engineer a submittal, I ask the questions that a standard designer might miss:
Tactical Awareness: Will the responding crew understand the building’s status immediately upon arrival at the FACP?
System Survivability: Have the pathways been designed to withstand the stress of a real-world event?
Operational Clarity: Is the Sequence of Operations (SoO) clear enough to ensure every integrated system—from elevators to smoke dampers—works in perfect harmony?
We don't just design for the permit; we design for the response.
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