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more on licensing -comments on the September 7, 2012 article
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Ken
I thought I read somewhere in the FL statutes that companies with net worth of more than $20M don't need to be licensed. Not sure if that's true, or how they'd pull a permit, or if there's anything like that in NY, but Verizon may fall into that category.
James Bienenfeld
Arista Security
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Response
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There is no such exemption in alarm licensing laws that I am aware of. What you may be thinking about is that telecommunication companies may federal exemptions when working within their telecommunication business. Verizon for example in the Mass case is claiming that it does no electrical work and is not covered by the alarm license law. Different state license laws will determine if a company, no matter what size, is performing licensed work, and those states will certainly want their pound of flesh, I mean their license or registration fees to cover all their regulatory oversight.
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In Massachussetts a license is require to install security systems, and employees need a Certificate of Clearance. I don't see any exemption for Verizon.
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This is from the MA Public Safety web site http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/s-license/s-license-faqs.html
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S-License (FAQs)
Q: What is a security system?
A: "Security system" means wires, conduits, apparatus, devices, fixtures, or other appliances installed and interconnected electrically or electronically to permit access control, proprietary signaling, surveillance and the detection of burglary, intrusion, holdup, or other conditions requiring response or the transmission of signals or audible alarms. M.G.L. c. 147, §57.

Q: Who must hold an S-license?

A: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 147, §57, any person, firm or corporation who engages in, advertises, or holds himself or itself out as being engaged in the business of installing, repairing, or offering maintenance for security systems, must be licensed by the Department.

Q: Do I need any other licenses to be eligible to receive an S-license?

A: Yes. You must have a valid electricians' license, of any class. M.G.L. c. 147, §58.

Q: What are the consequences of installing security systems without an S-license?

A: Anyone who violates the statute may be issued a fine between $200 and $1,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. M.G.L. c. 147, §57.

Q: How do I obtain an S-license?

A:

1. First, please read through the License Application for S-Licenses. Then submit the following:

a. A completed "S-License Application." This is a one page form requiring general information about you and your business.

b. One legible copy of our current Massachusetts electrician's license. Note: a valid electrician's license is a prerequisite for your S-License. For information regarding obtaining an electrician's license see www.mass.gov/dpl

c. Three (3) Citizen Certifications from three (3) Massachusetts citizens, verifying your reputation. The citizens may not be related to you, must certify that you are of good moral character, and must review your application and attest to its truthfulness.

d. One legible copy of a government issued picture identification bearing your signature.

2. Complete and sign a "CORI Request Form". This form authorizes the Department to request a copy of your criminal record from the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB). You may obtain a CORI Request Form by contacting the Department directly.

3. Include a check or money order for the non-refundable application fee of $250.00. Make the check payable to Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

4. Check to be sure your application is complete. If you are missing any of the required elements of your application, your application will be sent back to you without a license.

Q: May I have the S-License issued in the name of my company, instead of my name?

A: Yes. Please note that you would like the license issued in the name of your company on the S-License application.
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Q: If I am working for an S-License holder, but am not an S-License holdermyself, must I be licensed?

A: You must have a Certificate of Clearance in accordance with M.G.L. c. 147, §60. Please note that a Certificate of Clearance is different from a Security Systems Contractor license.

Q: What is a Certificate of Clearance, and how is it different from an S-license?

A: A Certificate of Clearance certifies that an employee of an S-license holderhas undergone a CORI inquiry, and has been approved to work for an individual or company licensed to install security systems.. The license is different in that it permits a contractor or corporation to hold himself or itself out as being engaged in the business of installing, repairing, or offering maintenance for security systems. M.G.L. c. 147, §57.
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another comment on licensing
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Ken
You forgot.....
4. "To engage in the business of installing, servicing or maintaining security or fire alarm systems" means and refers to a person who holds himself out directly or indirectly, as being able, or who offers or under-takes, by any means or method, to install, service or maintain a security or fire alarm system to detect intrusion, break-in, movement, sound or fire.
Mike
CSS
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Response
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If you are quoting from the Mass law I think that the term security, and I am sure the term fire alarm, include electric. And, with respect to Verizon, recall that not all license laws read alike; in fact most are unique.
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comment on getting licensed
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To help Nathan and what is required by each state licensing: There is a new website called www.License123.com that outlines each state’s specific licenses needed for different industries. I checked for California and it was correct. The forms are attached along with an explanation of why they are needed.
Yours for better security,
Steve Sopkin
Mijac Alarm
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Response
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Thanks. I checked out the site and it's not that easy to navigate. Better to start your inquiry here. https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-law-issues
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Question on licensing
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Hi Ken,
What is the procedure to get a fire alarm license in Connecticut??
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Response
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You can check Connecticut license laws at https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/alarm-law-issues and the CT Department of State web site, or you can engage my office to assist you. Call Jennifer Kirschenbaum, Esq at 516 747 6700 ext 302 for licensing assistance.
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comments on mfg guideline article from September 21, 2012
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Ken
In response to second statementinquiry imposed by Mike Lake of Argus Security:
“Second, I have seen the practice of several local alarm companies of NOT following manufacturers directions, instructions and illustrations. The best illustration of this is the practice of several local alarm companies to install the resistor in the panel, at the terminal connections.”
Comment:
As specific to fire alarm devices and equipment operational requirements, Over and above any manufacturer instructions/requirements, the overriding Authority is to refer to NFPA-72. This guideline is very secific in the requirements for ‘Performance of Signaling Line Circuits (SLC’s)referencing NFPA-72 2007 edition, Table 6.6.1 and Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC’s) Table 6.6 (both located on page 72-51, Section 6.8:
Conforming requirements require that if a singal open is experienced on either a SLC or NAC circuit, the open (circuit) condition will result in an annunciated trouble condition at the fire control unit. Hence, if on a Class B circuit the resistor is placed at the fire panel terminal points vs. the end of the applicable circuit(s)(ie.e EOL, End Of Line), then an open circuit in this configuration would not result in a panel trouble condition, as the EOL supervision is not in fact placed at the end of the circuit as required, but at the beginning of the circuit at the panel terminals. Hence, this circuit is not properly supervised as required by National Fire Code. Thus and in summary, the same installation techniques and operational verification should apply to any and all systems circuits, whether fire systems or security for the purpose of proper supervision of field circuits integrity.
My point is that as to fire alarm systems and what would be considered conventional circuits (as is being exampled in the Argus inquiry), it is not a matter of discretion or option – it is required by National Fire Code that the resistor is placed at the end of the circuit (this is why the resistor is also referred to as the EOL or End Of Line). Hence, in security systems (though not covered by a Federal Code mandate), it would hold true that this should be the expected practice. In reality, the only reason the resistors are placed of the control panel contacts (beginning ogf the circuit insted the end of the circuit) is shear lack of planning (scheduled access to wherever the circuits end), lack of concern for detail or lack of follow through, all of which reflects lack of professionalism at best and resulting potential liability at worst.
Richard Schwank, Vice President, Operations - General Manager
Statcomm Inc.
Mountain View, CA
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I would like to contribute my perspective on the EOL Resistors.

Briefly, my background includes 20 years of experience, having worked with from everyone from moonlighting trunk-slammers to ADT.

I find it exceedingly rare to find the EOL Resistors where they are recommended (or required) to be. I have actually been reprimanded by several past and one current supervisor for "wasting time" putting the EOL Resistors in the field. Most recently I was commanded to take them out of the field, wire them in inside the panel, and then go home for the day. I've even been taught that trick where you take small sections of stripped wire jacket and make sleeves for the leads so they don't short out on each other.

When I was taught to install the resistors, it was explained to me that the practice began when burglars learned that you could twist the wires together on the contact, bypassing it and allowing unsupervised ingress, which defeats the zone.

Not installing the EOL Resistor can allow a burglar to defeat the primary function of a part of the system with common criminal knowledge. I also believe that any installer who does not correctly wire for this feature is being willfully and dangerously negligent, or has not been adequately trained, in which case their supervisor is negligent. Mine reminded me recently "This isn't a bank or a jewelry store. I highly doubt anybody's actually going to rob his house. I would do it for a bigger job, but we'd have to charge them for it anyway."

It would be impossible to engage in any business without encountering customers who want a lower price, and many people cut corners just to close the sale (I could write a 500 page study on how and why people justify using the wrong wire just while I eat my breakfast). However, the fact that everyone is required to be aware that this practice undermines the basic functionality of the system is dangerous, and misleading. And by basic, I mean that the customer has the reasonable expectation that his system will perform as the manufacture designed it to.

Isn't it the requirement of the installer to be aware of how and why each feature and component of a system works? Isn't it negligent to be completely aware of how and why a critical advancement in the technology has been implemented to prevent a widely known and dangerous flaw in previous designs, and willfully bypass this feature for no other reason than the convenience of the installer?

I believe it is. I believe that when a person hires a company to ensure that their home is protected, and that company offers them a product designed very specifically and reputably by a company such as Honeywell, Napco, DSC etc, that they are entitled to a very specific thing. I believe that not providing (or assembling) what is specifically prescribed by the manufacturer is like having a mechanic change your transmission and end up with extra screws, but not tell you, since the car appears to work fine anyway. It shouldn't be a problem, but you can never know.

So, my question is the same. Is this not so?
anon
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